Paper chromatography is a method that allows rapid assessment of the condition and identification of fuel, water and soot contaminants in engine oil. The paper contains an analysis of the suitability of rapid paper chromatography for assessing the operating quality of engine oil. It takes into account the comparison of physicochemical parameters by classical methods with the quality of commercial paper chromatography. The presented research allowed verifying the suitability of paper chromatography for laboratory evaluation of engine oil quality. It was found that a more extensive analysis of the oil condition is possible provided that the chromatographic separation time of oil dispensed onto filter paper is increased from 1 minute to 40 minutes. Linear relationships were observed between the surface area of the stain core after 40-minute separation and selected viscosity parameters (e.g. kinematic viscosity measured at 40° C). Based on rapid paper chromatography, it was found that reasonable decisions can be made about the quality of engine oil, and thus about replacement or further use of the oil.