I've always tended to use what I consider 'quality' oils, fluids etc when servicing my cars. I've tended to favour Castrol (I appreciate others have their preferences for oil) and Halfords- both seem to have served me well. However, I'd happily use, say Mobil, but I'd stay clear of some of the (what until today, I considered the 'cheaper' brands). Much the same 'rules' applied when I needed things like brake fluid, antifreeze etc.
However, an experience today has caused some 'confusion'. I need some brake fluid. Caps on the vehicles say DOT 4. I look on Halfords and see several brands, I look at the info for several as the details on the expensive one seem a bit vague. It seems there are 'better' DOT 4 fluids in the cheaper brands, at least in their blurb. The price is a factor, we are talking a few pounds but I'm concerned re mixing the old with the new (or more exactly what will be left of the old, there is bound to be a trace, and seals etc). I contact the helpline for the EXPENSIVE ONE.
I give them the vehicle details, they recommend the CHEAP ONE! I double check they are the helpline for the EXPENSIVE BRAND and I am informed they supply both! Note, this helpline isn't Halfords! I check again, and am informed they supply several 'brands'. Neither in this case was an own brand- obviously I wasn't expecting, say, Halfords to make their own oil etc.
I'm not suggesting anything untoward is going on. I was just surprised that the 'cheap stuff' was supplied by the famous company.