Oil leaks and other fluid leaks at the APK (MOT)
A stain on the drive or a damp engine makes many people wonder whether their car will still pass the APK, the compulsory Dutch vehicle inspection. The answer depends on which fluid is leaking, how bad the leak is and how old the car is. In this article we set out the rules of the RDW (Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer), the Dutch vehicle authority.
By the team at Autobedrijf Willemsbrug, RDW-approved APK (MOT) test station since 1979 · Updated 4 November 2026
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The short answer
At the APK, any leak of fuel or brake fluid is a rejection point (afkeurpunt), whatever the age of the car. For engine oil, coolant and other fluids, the rule is that there must be no excessive leakage on cars first put into use after 31 December 2017. On cars first put into use before 1 January 2018, excessive leakage leads to a repair advisory point (reparatieadviespunt) and the car passes. Water, screen wash and condensation from the air conditioning do not count.
Which leaks are a reason to fail the APK?
It depends on the fluid. Fuel, brake fluid and power steering each have their own strict rules. For the other fluids, such as engine oil and coolant, the rule against excessive leakage applies. This follows from the RDW list of inspection items (keuringsaspectenlijst, in Dutch), the fixed list the inspector (keurmeester) uses to record every point.
| What is leaking? | Result at the APK | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol or diesel | Rejection point for any leak | Fuel systems must not show any leakage (article 5.2.9) |
| LPG or CNG | Rejection point | LPG leak, checked with equipment that detects gas leaks |
| Brake fluid | Rejection point for any leak | Parts of the braking system must not show any leakage (article 5.2.31) |
| Power steering fluid | Rejection point for serious leakage | Parts of the power steering must not show serious leakage (article 5.2.29) |
| Engine oil, coolant, gearbox oil and other fluids | Rejection point for excessive leakage if the car was first put into use after 31 December 2017. On older cars a repair advisory point (RA2). | No excessive fluid leakage (article 5.2.11a) |
| Battery of the electric drivetrain | Rejection point | Part of the electric drivetrain shows leakage (article 5.2.12a, applies to the battery or batteries) |
| Shock absorber | Advisory point (AC2) | Shock absorber present that shows leakage |
| Water, screen wash, air con condensation | Does not count | Excluded in article 5.2.11a and its explanatory notes |
Source: RDW APK manual (fluid leakage, fuel systems, braking system, steering, electric drivetrain), list of inspection items and repair advisory points.
A rejection point (afkeurpunt) is a defect that you must have repaired before you get a new APK. A repair advisory point (reparatieadviespunt) appears on the report, but the car passes. An advisory point (adviespunt) is advice that does not lead to a fail. You can read more in how to read your APK report.
When is an oil leak excessive?
The RDW manual does not set how many drops is too many. The inspector judges the leak by eye, with the car on a lift or over an inspection pit. The requirement is that, apart from water, there must be no excessive fluid leakage. According to the explanatory notes of the RDW, this covers fluids that must not end up in the environment (closed systems).
In the workshop we distinguish between an engine that sweats and an engine that leaks. Sweating is a thin, damp film of oil on the engine without any drops falling. Leaking is oil that collects and drips off. A dripping leak is easier for the inspector to judge than a lightly sweating engine block.
An oil leak is more than an APK issue. If oil drips onto a hot exhaust, it can start to smoke. If the oil level gets too low, the engine can be damaged. What to do when the oil light comes on is explained on our page oil warning light on: red or orange.
Why is any fuel or brake fluid leak a reason to fail?
Fuel and brake fluid leaks are directly dangerous. Leaking fuel can catch fire. A leak in the brake pipes or brake hoses can make the brakes work less well. That is why the APK manual sets no limit and no date here: fuel systems and the parts of the braking system must not show any leakage.
Brake fluid absorbs moisture over the years and is therefore replaced at regular intervals.
Which fluid is leaking under your car?
The colour and the smell of the stain tell you a lot. Put a piece of white cardboard under the car and leave it there overnight. Then you can see the colour and the position of the drops.
| Colour and smell | Likely fluid | Result at the APK |
|---|---|---|
| Brown to black, slippery | Engine oil | Excessive: rejection point (car first put into use after 31 December 2017) or repair advisory point (older car) |
| Green, pink, blue or orange, sweet smell | Coolant | Excessive: rejection point (car first put into use after 31 December 2017) or repair advisory point (older car) |
| Clear to yellowish brown, slippery, near a wheel | Brake fluid | Rejection point |
| Red or yellow, slippery | Automatic gearbox oil or power steering fluid | Depends on the system |
| Clear, smells of petrol or diesel | Fuel | Rejection point |
| Clear, no smell, under the front | Condensation from the air con | Does not count |
A guide only. Colours vary by make and product. Have a mechanic find the source of the leak.
You can read more about recognising stains on our page fluid under the car: what each colour means. If you are losing coolant, it is sensible to keep an eye on the level. If the engine temperature also rises, read engine overheating.
What should you do if your car is leaking and the APK is due?
Have the leak traced and repaired before the inspection. If the inspector fails the car on a leak, you will have to have it repaired anyway. Doing that earlier saves you a second visit. Other points you can check yourself are listed in our guide to preparing your car for the APK.
- Check the fluid levels under the bonnet: engine oil, coolant and brake fluid.
- Look at where the stain is under the car: at the front, in the middle, at the back or near a wheel.
- Take a photo of the stain or bring the cardboard to the garage.
- Have the car checked on the lift. If needed, the mechanic first cleans the area and checks after a short drive where the fluid is coming from.
- You receive a quote beforehand and we only carry out repairs with your approval.
If your car fails at our garage and we carry out the repair, the retest is included. At our RDW-approved APK station, the APK costs € 50 for petrol, petrol hybrid and electric cars and € 60 for a diesel with a factory-fitted DPF (diesel particulate filter). For an LPG car or another diesel, we tell you the price beforehand. For more information, see our page about the APK at our garage in Rotterdam.