Motoring experts are urging drivers to carry out four essential checks on their vehicles to guarantee they've received legitimate, authentic components during repairs. This follows research by the Intellectual Property Office, which revealed one in six motorists had purchased fake parts in the last 12 months.
A total of 58% of people were aware they were purchasing counterfeit products, with most using it as a money-saving tactic and claiming they couldn't spot any noticeable difference between authentic and fraudulent items. However, thousands of drivers thought they were buying genuine components.
In all, 45%, or two in five drivers, were convinced they had purchased the authentic article and only discovered it was fake when the part failed. Many also only realised they had counterfeit products fitted to their vehicle during a routine service inspection further down the line.
Motoring specialist James Harding cautioned that whether it's a deliberate money-saving strategy or complete unawareness, fitting fake parts to your vehicle can lead to severe repercussions. The Blackcircles specialist explained: "Fake or sub-standard vehicle parts are often cheaper imitations of real products made by unlicensed companies, and it can sometimes be hard to tell the difference between a fake and a genuine car part.
"Not only can fake vehicle parts invalidate car insurance, void vehicle warranties, and cause liabilities for garages, but they are also much less safe. Whilst they may look similar, they are often typically made with low-quality materials and are not subjected to the rigorous safety testing of genuine parts. In recent years, there has been an increase in the sale of counterfeit motor parts."
James outlined four essential checks drivers should carry out when purchasing new car components to guarantee authenticity, warning: "It may be tempting to look for low-cost parts, it is important to remember that if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. If you suspect that you have been sold fake parts or that a garage is attempting to sell fake parts, it is important to report the garage and seller to Crimestoppers."
Authentic car components will feature robust, premium-quality packaging designed to prevent damage during transport. The packaging will also display numerous security labels that are crisp, legible and typically include official holograms. Drivers can also verify the serial and part numbers printed on the packaging by cross-checking them against manufacturer databases available online.
When purchasing from an unfamiliar business or garage, conduct thorough research beforehand. Examine previous customer feedback and carry out comprehensive background checks. Any reputable company should readily provide credentials and certifications upon request.
Technical standards
Motor components are remarkably sophisticated products, so legitimate manufacturers typically supply evidence that individual components satisfy industry requirements. This documentation is called a certificate of Original Equipment - dodgy parts probably won't include this.
The specialist cautioned: "Even if two vehicles are of the same model and year, they might need slightly different parts. Fake parts are likely to be 'one size fits all,' which can be dangerous and damage your vehicle."
Additional advice on identifying and reporting counterfeit car components is available on the Gov.uk website through the IPO's Fake Always Breaks initiative which was unveiled last October.
