---
title: "Motor oil brands in New Zealand: Which brands are most popular in search?"
description: "Compare the engine oil brands New Zealand drivers and workshops use. Share of Search among Penrite, Castrol, Valvoline, Mobil 1, Nulon and Shell Helix, the motor oil brands Brandwave compares in New Zealand, using the same methodology, market, and reporting period. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time."
canonical: "https://gobrandwave.com/demand/nz/categories/nz-motor-oil-brands"
publisher: "Brandwave"
---

# Motor oil brands in New Zealand: Which brands are most popular in search?

Compare the engine oil brands New Zealand drivers and workshops use. Share of Search among Penrite, Castrol, Valvoline, Mobil 1, Nulon and Shell Helix, the motor oil brands Brandwave compares in New Zealand, using the same methodology, market, and reporting period. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time.

## Key facts

- **Competitive set**: Motor oil brands
- **Market**: New Zealand
- **Brands compared**: 6
- **Month measured**: Aug 2026
- **Highest Share of Search**: Penrite, 43%

## Which brand is most popular in search among motor oil brands in New Zealand?

- In August 2026, Penrite was the most searched among motor oil brands in New Zealand, with an estimated 6.1K branded searches and 43% estimated Share of Search within this set.
- Castrol is in 2nd place, 9.2 percentage points behind at 33.7% Share of Search.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Penrite’s estimated Share of Search among motor oil brands in New Zealand decreased from 47.1% to 43%.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Castrol’s estimated Share of Search among motor oil brands in New Zealand increased from 31.1% to 33.7%.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Mobil 1’s estimated Share of Search among motor oil brands in New Zealand increased from 4.9% to 7.1%.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Nulon’s estimated Share of Search among motor oil brands in New Zealand decreased from 5.8% to 5%.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Penrite’s estimated Share of Search among motor oil brands in New Zealand peaked at 47.1% in October 2025 and was lowest at 35.1% in June 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Castrol’s estimated Share of Search among motor oil brands in New Zealand peaked at 34.9% in November 2025 and was lowest at 29.8% in April 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Valvoline’s estimated Share of Search among motor oil brands in New Zealand peaked at 12.7% in February 2026 and was lowest at 10.2% in August 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Mobil 1’s estimated Share of Search among motor oil brands in New Zealand peaked at 17.5% in June 2026 and was lowest at 4.9% in October 2025.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Nulon’s estimated Share of Search among motor oil brands in New Zealand peaked at 5.8% in October 2025 and was lowest at 3.2% in April 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Mobil 1 rose from 5th to 4th among motor oil brands in New Zealand.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Nulon fell from 4th to 5th among motor oil brands in New Zealand.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Valvoline and Shell Helix held steady: their estimated Share of Search among motor oil brands in New Zealand each moved less than 0.5 percentage points.

## Compare search popularity between leading brands

- [Penrite vs Castrol: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/castrol-vs-penrite): 43% against 33.7% Share of Search.
- [Penrite vs Valvoline: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/penrite-vs-valvoline): 43% against 10.2% Share of Search.
- [Penrite vs Mobil 1: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/mobil-1-vs-penrite): 43% against 7.1% Share of Search.
- [Penrite vs Nulon: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/nulon-vs-penrite): 43% against 5% Share of Search.
- [Castrol vs Valvoline: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/castrol-vs-valvoline): 33.7% against 10.2% Share of Search.
- [Castrol vs Mobil 1: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/castrol-vs-mobil-1): 33.7% against 7.1% Share of Search.
- [Castrol vs Nulon: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/castrol-vs-nulon): 33.7% against 5% Share of Search.
- [Valvoline vs Mobil 1: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/mobil-1-vs-valvoline): 10.2% against 7.1% Share of Search.
- [Valvoline vs Nulon: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/nulon-vs-valvoline): 10.2% against 5% Share of Search.
- [Mobil 1 vs Nulon: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/mobil-1-vs-nulon): 7.1% against 5% Share of Search.

## How did search popularity change for New Zealand motor oil brands in August 2026?

- In August 2026, Penrite gained estimated Share of Search among motor oil brands in New Zealand, from 39.6% to 43%.
- In August 2026, Castrol gained estimated Share of Search among motor oil brands in New Zealand, from 32.3% to 33.7%.
- In August 2026, Mobil 1 lost estimated Share of Search among motor oil brands in New Zealand, from 11.2% to 7.1%.
- In August 2026, Valvoline lost estimated Share of Search among motor oil brands in New Zealand, from 10.7% to 10.2%.
- Estimated monthly branded searches for Shell Helix in New Zealand rose 50% over 11 measured months, from 100 to 150 in August 2026.

## Share of Search ranking

| Rank | Brand | Share of Search | Estimated monthly branded searches | Change vs prior month | Owned by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Penrite | 43% | 6.1K | +7.2% | Penrite |
| 2 | Castrol | 33.7% | 4.8K | +3.2% | Castrol |
| 3 | Valvoline | 10.2% | 1.4K | -5.9% | Valvoline |
| 4 | Mobil 1 | 7.1% | 1K | -37.9% | Mobil 1 |
| 5 | Nulon | 5% | 710 | -5.3% | Nulon |
| 6 | Shell Helix | 1.1% | 150 | +7.1% | Shell Helix |

## Historical estimated branded-search demand

| Month | Brand | Estimated monthly branded searches | Share of Search | Rank |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Oct 2025 | Penrite | 6.1K | 47.1% | 1 |
| Oct 2025 | Castrol | 4K | 31.1% | 2 |
| Oct 2025 | Valvoline | 1.3K | 10.3% | 3 |
| Oct 2025 | Nulon | 760 | 5.8% | 4 |
| Oct 2025 | Mobil 1 | 640 | 4.9% | 5 |
| Oct 2025 | Shell Helix | 100 | 0.77% | 6 |
| Nov 2025 | Penrite | 5.3K | 41.2% | 1 |
| Nov 2025 | Castrol | 4.5K | 34.9% | 2 |
| Nov 2025 | Valvoline | 1.5K | 11.7% | 3 |
| Nov 2025 | Mobil 1 | 750 | 5.8% | 4 |
| Nov 2025 | Nulon | 690 | 5.3% | 5 |
| Nov 2025 | Shell Helix | 140 | 1.1% | 6 |
| Dec 2025 | Penrite | 5.3K | 43.7% | 1 |
| Dec 2025 | Castrol | 4.2K | 34.3% | 2 |
| Dec 2025 | Valvoline | 1.4K | 11.2% | 3 |
| Dec 2025 | Mobil 1 | 620 | 5.1% | 4 |
| Dec 2025 | Nulon | 550 | 4.5% | 5 |
| Dec 2025 | Shell Helix | 150 | 1.2% | 6 |
| Jan 2026 | Penrite | 5.1K | 42.5% | 1 |
| Jan 2026 | Castrol | 4.1K | 34.2% | 2 |
| Jan 2026 | Valvoline | 1.4K | 11.5% | 3 |
| Jan 2026 | Nulon | 650 | 5.4% | 4 |
| Jan 2026 | Mobil 1 | 590 | 4.9% | 5 |
| Jan 2026 | Shell Helix | 180 | 1.5% | 6 |
| Feb 2026 | Penrite | 5K | 40.6% | 1 |
| Feb 2026 | Castrol | 4.1K | 33.1% | 2 |
| Feb 2026 | Valvoline | 1.6K | 12.7% | 3 |
| Feb 2026 | Mobil 1 | 980 | 7.9% | 4 |
| Feb 2026 | Nulon | 560 | 4.5% | 5 |
| Feb 2026 | Shell Helix | 130 | 1.1% | 6 |
| Mar 2026 | Penrite | 5.5K | 37.5% | 1 |
| Mar 2026 | Castrol | 5K | 34.5% | 2 |
| Mar 2026 | Valvoline | 1.8K | 12.3% | 3 |
| Mar 2026 | Mobil 1 | 1.6K | 11% | 4 |
| Mar 2026 | Nulon | 510 | 3.5% | 5 |
| Mar 2026 | Shell Helix | 180 | 1.2% | 6 |
| Apr 2026 | Penrite | 6.5K | 44.8% | 1 |
| Apr 2026 | Castrol | 4.3K | 29.8% | 2 |
| Apr 2026 | Valvoline | 1.7K | 11.6% | 3 |
| Apr 2026 | Mobil 1 | 1.4K | 9.8% | 4 |
| Apr 2026 | Nulon | 460 | 3.2% | 5 |
| Apr 2026 | Shell Helix | 140 | 0.96% | 6 |
| May 2026 | Penrite | 5.5K | 37.1% | 1 |
| May 2026 | Castrol | 4.6K | 30.9% | 2 |
| May 2026 | Mobil 1 | 2.4K | 16.2% | 3 |
| May 2026 | Valvoline | 1.6K | 10.7% | 4 |
| May 2026 | Nulon | 630 | 4.2% | 5 |
| May 2026 | Shell Helix | 140 | 0.94% | 6 |
| Jun 2026 | Penrite | 5.4K | 35.1% | 1 |
| Jun 2026 | Castrol | 5K | 32.4% | 2 |
| Jun 2026 | Mobil 1 | 2.7K | 17.5% | 3 |
| Jun 2026 | Valvoline | 1.6K | 10.6% | 4 |
| Jun 2026 | Nulon | 510 | 3.3% | 5 |
| Jun 2026 | Shell Helix | 150 | 0.98% | 6 |
| Jul 2026 | Penrite | 5.7K | 39.6% | 1 |
| Jul 2026 | Castrol | 4.6K | 32.3% | 2 |
| Jul 2026 | Mobil 1 | 1.6K | 11.2% | 3 |
| Jul 2026 | Valvoline | 1.5K | 10.7% | 4 |
| Jul 2026 | Nulon | 750 | 5.2% | 5 |
| Jul 2026 | Shell Helix | 140 | 0.98% | 6 |
| Aug 2026 | Penrite | 6.1K | 43% | 1 |
| Aug 2026 | Castrol | 4.8K | 33.7% | 2 |
| Aug 2026 | Valvoline | 1.4K | 10.2% | 3 |
| Aug 2026 | Mobil 1 | 1K | 7.1% | 4 |
| Aug 2026 | Nulon | 710 | 5% | 5 |
| Aug 2026 | Shell Helix | 150 | 1.1% | 6 |
| Sep 2026 | Castrol | — | — | — |
| Sep 2026 | Mobil 1 | — | — | — |
| Sep 2026 | Nulon | — | — | — |
| Sep 2026 | Penrite | — | — | — |
| Sep 2026 | Shell Helix | — | — | — |
| Sep 2026 | Valvoline | — | — | — |

## What is being compared

- **Castrol**: Measured on the search terms “castrol”, “castrol 0 20w”, “castrol 10w40”, “castrol 5w30”, “castrol 5w40”, “castrol com”, “castrol edge”, “castrol edge 5 40”, “castrol edge 5w30”, “castrol edge engine oil 5w 30”, “castrol edge motor oil”, “castrol engine oil”, “castrol magnatec 10w40”, “castrol magnatec 5w30”, “castrol motor oil”, “castrol motor oil 5w30”, “castrol near me”, “castrol new zealand”, “castrol nz”, “castrol oil” and “castrol online”, summed into one figure.
- **Mobil 1**: Measured on the search terms “5w30 mobil 1 full synthetic”, “mobil 1”, “mobil 1 0w 20”, “mobil 1 0w40”, “mobil 1 5 30”, “mobil 1 5w 30 motor oil”, “mobil 1 advanced full synthetic motor oil”, “mobil 1 engine oil 0w20”, “mobil 1 extended performance motor oil”, “mobil 1 motor oil”, “mobil 1 near me”, “mobil 1 nz”, “mobil 1 oil”, “mobil 1 oil filter”, “mobil 1 online”, “mobil co nz”, “mobil1”, “mobil1 esp 5 30”, “mobil1 motor oil” and “mobil1 oil”, summed into one figure.
- **Nulon**: Measured on the search terms “coolant nulon”, “nulon”, “nulon 5w30”, “nulon com au”, “nulon diesel injector cleaner”, “nulon full synthetic 5w 30”, “nulon injector cleaner”, “nulon motor oil”, “nulon near me”, “nulon nz” and “nulon oil”, summed into one figure.
- **Penrite**: Measured on the search terms “penrite”, “penrite 0w20”, “penrite 10w40”, “penrite 10w40 full synthetic”, “penrite 10w50”, “penrite 15w40”, “penrite 20w60”, “penrite 5w30”, “penrite 5w30 full synthetic”, “penrite 5w40”, “penrite atf”, “penrite atf fs”, “penrite atf lv”, “penrite coolant”, “penrite engine oil”, “penrite enviro 5w 30”, “penrite hpr 5”, “penrite hpr 5 5w 40”, “penrite motor oil”, “penrite near me”, “penrite nz”, “penrite oil”, “penrite online” and “penrite racing”, summed into one figure.
- **Shell Helix**: Measured on the search terms “5w30 shell helix ultra”, “shell engine oil”, “shell helix”, “shell helix 5w40 ultra” and “shell helix oil”, summed into one figure.
- **Valvoline**: Measured on the search terms “valvoline”, “valvoline 2 cycle oil”, “valvoline 2 stroke outboard oil”, “valvoline 5w30”, “valvoline 5w30 full synthetic”, “valvoline atf”, “valvoline car oil”, “valvoline com”, “valvoline maxlife atf”, “valvoline maxlife multi vehicle atf”, “valvoline near me”, “valvoline nz”, “valvoline oil”, “valvoline online” and “valvoline vr1”, summed into one figure.

- [Castrol](/demand/nz/brands/castrol)
- [Mobil 1](/demand/nz/brands/mobil-1)
- [Nulon](/demand/nz/brands/nulon)
- [Penrite](/demand/nz/brands/penrite)
- [Shell Helix](/demand/nz/brands/shell-helix)
- [Valvoline](/demand/nz/brands/valvoline)

## Methodology

- [How is branded search demand measured?](/demand/methodology): Where the figures come from, what they compare, and how they may be reused.

## Frequently asked questions

### Which brand is most popular in search among motor oil brands in New Zealand?

In August 2026, Penrite was the most searched among motor oil brands in New Zealand, with an estimated 6.1K branded searches and 43% estimated Share of Search within this set.

## Cite this page

Brandwave. "Motor oil brands in New Zealand: Which brands are most popular in search?". https://gobrandwave.com/demand/nz/categories/nz-motor-oil-brands

This page is also available as HTML at https://gobrandwave.com/demand/nz/categories/nz-motor-oil-brands. Brandwave publishes an index of its Markdown pages at https://gobrandwave.com/llms.txt.