Mobil Fined $16 Million for Misleading Fuel Claims at Queensland Petrol Stations
Mobil Oil Australia has been ordered by the Federal Court to pay $16 million in penalties after it was found to have made false or misleading claims about fuel sold at nine petrol stations in north and central Queensland, breaching the Australian Consumer Law.
The court found that between August 2020 and July 2024, Mobil misled consumers through branding and signage indicating that its ‘Mobil Synergy Fuel’ with specific additives was being sold at these locations.
However, the fuel supplied at the nine sites did not contain the advertised additives and was essentially the same as unadditised fuel available at other non-Mobil stations.
These misleading representations were made through signage and branding at the nine petrol stations, promoting the supposed benefits of Mobil Synergy Fuel.
The signage included claims such as protecting engines from the first fill, improving engine performance by helping engines run more smoothly, and removing harmful deposits from vital engine parts. Comparisons were also drawn between Mobil Synergy Fuel and unadditised fuel.
ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh commented on the case, emphasising that petrol is an essential good for most households and that consumers rely on signage provided by retailers to know what they are purchasing.
He noted that it was very likely some motorists chose these stations believing they were purchasing a higher quality fuel with particular benefits for their engines. Mr Keogh described the Mobil Synergy Fuel and Synergy technology signage at the affected sites as a “total falsehood” since the advertised petrol was not supplied there.
The affected petrol stations were located in the north and central Queensland towns and suburbs of Aitkenvale, Barcaldine, Berserker, Biloela, Guthalungra, Proserpine, Rasmussen, Rural View, and Yeppoon.
Mobil cooperated with the ACCC, admitted liability, and collaborated on submissions to the Court regarding the penalties and proposed orders. The Court also ordered Mobil to publish corrective notices, implement a consumer law compliance program, and contribute to the ACCC’s legal costs.
English