The Federal Court has ordered Mobil Oil Australia to pay $16 million in penalties for making false or misleading representations about the fuel sold at nine petrol stations in north and central Queensland, in breach of the Australian Consumer Law.
Mobil admitted that for varying periods between August 2020 and July 2024 it made false or misleading claims to consumers through branding and signage which indicated that the fuel being sold was ‘Mobil Synergy Fuel’ containing certain additives.
In fact, Mobil Synergy Fuel was not sold at these nine sites, and the fuel supplied at these sites was the same or substantially the same as fuel at other non-Mobil retail sites.
These false or misleading representations to consumers were made through a range of signage and branding at the nine petrol stations that promoted the benefits of Mobil Synergy Fuel, with statements such as:
“Protect your engine from the first fill”
“Mobil Synergy Fuels contain additives designed to improve engine performance by helping vehicle engines run more smoothly”
“The additives help to remove harmful deposits from vital engine parts”,
“Petrol is an essential good for most households, and there is no way of knowing what you’re putting in your tank other than relying on the signage provided by the retailer,” ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said.
“We considered it very likely that some people chose to fill up at these petrol stations because they thought they were getting a different quality of petrol with particular benefits for their car engine.”
“The Mobil Synergy Fuel and Synergy technology signage at the affected sites was a total falsehood, as this petrol wasn’t supplied to these sites,” Mr Keogh said.
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