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I can buy made in Japan Honda oem oil filters from ebay, to my door, for half the price that Honda NZ want me to pay.The more you buy the cheaper the postage.My question is,do oil filters have a shelf life.Would it be ok to buy 3 filters and use the last one 2 years after purchase

Oil filters don't actually have a specific shelf life but the way they are stored and the quality of the product will depend on how long they last. Humidity will cause rust, so it would be wise to store them in a dry place. Also keep the filter sealed and away from dust. To store them for two years shouldn't be a problem. A good oil filter with a plastic seal around it should keep moisture and dust from entering it and therefore should last way longer than two years. I would be more concerned on the quality of the filter you are buying - hopefully it isn't a cheap imitation that has been painted to look original. Signs of rust or brittle o-rings and brittle paper material will be warning signs of a poor condition oil filter.

It would be interesting to hear what comments other users have on this subject.

I checked with the supplier, who is a major parts wholesaler in Australia and the filters are made by Toyo Roki in Japan and are Honda (oem) filters and come wrapped in plastic.Thank you for your advice.