3 litres over 10,000miles would be such a small amount it could be blowing past the rings and you wouldn't see it.

The next question, to both you and ride_on, is why the heck are you only checking the oil every "when the dipstick runs out"?!? Surely if you both (ok, maybe Valman didn't) know the thing uses oil, you check it every 1,000 at the max!

Cheeky wipper-snapper! Ok maybe I am a lazy arse, but I don't actually wait for it to go off the stick, it just happens sometimes and I know the car is fine as long as there is pressure, I've never lost pressure so there!

Anyway, I do less than 2K a year, maybe I shouldn't have 3 cars but I like them.

You know why I'm saying it mate, you have a clue about engines. Advising on a forum to loads of people who read this later that this is sensible just isn't clever! FWIW, I wouldn't agree with you on this point, the moment that pressure goes, you have caused *epic* wear on a lot of the bearings. Even the first time it happens makes the engine a lot worse, so making sure it never has the chance to happen has to be the best solution!

Didn't realise you drove so little, but nothing wrong with 3 cars no matter what distance

I know but the reason I said that was because Valman was expecting fireworks or other symptoms because his oil was low, I was trying to say nothing will happen until it losses pressure.

Having said that, I think major damage is only done if it looses pressure under power, although most pressure loss I've seen is due to blockage and fairly gradual. The switches are set to 7-8 PSI and that is something. Lack of oil pressure loss is probably more serious.