Oil-Volkswagen has one of the most detailed proprietary oil specification systems in the automotive industry. Using the wrong VW oil norm can damage your DPF, void your warranty, or accelerate engine wear. This page explains every VW oil code and links to our model-specific guides.
VW 502 00 — Standard Petrol Engines
VW 502 00 is the baseline specification for naturally aspirated and older turbocharged petrol engines. It's a full-SAPS formulation (higher zinc/phosphorus content than LongLife oils) that provides strong anti-wear protection. Typical viscosity is 5W-30 or 5W-40. This spec is common on older Polo, Golf, and Passat models with MPI (multi-point injection) engines. VW 502 00 oils are not suitable for engines with particulate filters.
VW 504 00 — LongLife Petrol Engines
VW 504 00 is the LongLife III specification for modern petrol engines with extended drain intervals up to 15,000 km. It's a low-SAPS formulation designed to protect catalytic converters and is mandatory for all TSI and TFSI engines from 2005 onwards. Typical viscosity is 5W-30 or 0W-30. Due to its purity, VW 504 00 also helps minimise the carbon buildup commonly associated with direct-injection TSI engines. This is the most commonly required VW oil spec in the UK.
VW 507 00 — LongLife Diesel Engines (with DPF)
VW 507 00 is the diesel equivalent of 504 00 — a LongLife III low-SAPS oil designed specifically for TDI engines equipped with a diesel particulate filter (DPF). The low ash content prevents premature DPF clogging. Typical viscosity is 5W-30 or 0W-30. Using a non-507 00 oil in a DPF-equipped TDI will fill the filter with metallic ash that cannot be burned off during regeneration, leading to expensive replacement.
VW 508 00 / 509 00 — Ultra-Low Viscosity (0W-20)
VW 508 00 (petrol) and 509 00 (diesel) are VW's newest specifications, requiring SAE 0W-20 ultra-low-viscosity oil. Designed for the latest EA211 evo and EA288 evo engines, these specs maximise fuel economy through reduced internal friction. VW 508 00 oils are backward-compatible with 504 00 in many applications, but you should never mix them — when switching specifications, perform a complete drain including filter replacement.
Which VW Oil Spec Do I Need?
Check your owner's manual or the label inside the oil filler cap. As a general guide: older petrol engines without turbo need VW 502 00, modern TSI/TFSI petrol engines need VW 504 00, all TDI diesels with DPF need VW 507 00, and the newest engines (2018+ EA211 evo) can use VW 508 00. If unsure, VW 504 00 (5W-30) is the safest choice for most VW petrol engines, and VW 507 00 (5W-30) for most diesels.
Castrol — VW's Official Oil Partner
Volkswagen has a long-standing technical partnership with Castrol. Castrol EDGE Professional is the factory-fill oil for all VW vehicles, and Castrol formulates oils specifically tested against VW's proprietary requirements. However, any oil displaying the correct VW approval number on the bottle is equally suitable — Mobil 1, Shell, Liqui Moly, and Total all offer VW-approved products.