DRIVERS could face a hefty fine and six points on their licence if they make a silly mistake with their motor.
According to a new government survey, potentially millions of Brits have purchased a counterfeit car part in the last year – with many doing so knowingly.
Drivers could face a hefty fine and six points on their licence if they buy and install fake parts for their motor[/caption]
Potentially millions of Brits have purchased a counterfeit car part in the last year[/caption]
The government’s Intellectual Property Office have revealed that parts crucial for car safety such as tyres, wheels, airbags, and brakes are among the most frequently purchased “fake” items.
What’s worse is that many of these are advertised and sold as genuine branded vehicle parts, and drivers are warned these are likely to be made using inferior materials that are not safety-tested.
In a recent survey taken by 1,394 motorists, one in six revealed they had purchased a counterfeit part in the 12 months leading up to October 2024.
The most commonly purchased fake parts included car batteries, tyres and wheels, and windscreen wipers.
What’s more, 14% of motorists admitted to buying fake airbags and 12% bought counterfeit brake pads or discs, according to the survey.
It was later revealed that a whopping 45% of those thought the item they were purchasing was genuine, before later discovering it was a fake after being informed by their garage, usually following a fault.
That means a large portion knowingly bought fake parts for their vehicles, with 31% admitting that saving on cost was a reason for making the purchase.
Selling fake parts is illegal and the IPO, who began a national campaign on Monday called Fake Always Breaks to combat to warn consumers to avoid purchasing counterfeit parts, urged anyone who suspects a part might be fake to report the seller to Crimestoppers.
Miles Rees, deputy director of enforcement at the IPO, said: “Fake car parts are illegal to sell and are very dangerous for motorists and other road users.
“While they may look the same, they are often made from inferior materials and are not safety tested.
“This increases the risk of failure and can lead to life-changing or life-ending consequences – a risk not worth taking.
“As we enter the darker, colder, icier months, driving can become more hazardous.
“This is why it is now more important than ever to highlight the dangers of fakes to motorists and help make every journey as safe as it can be.”
The IPO gave drivers a number of pointers to stay safe and avoid unknowingly picking up fake car parts.
Their advice includes being wary of prices that seem “too good to be true” and thoroughly researching the seller.
What’s more, genuine parts will come with a certificate of Original Equipment, and therefore parts without the certificate are likely to be fake.
Driving with fake car parts installed on your motor could even invalidate your car insurance.
Naturally, driving without insurance is a fixed penalty of £300 and six penalty points, or even an unlimited fine and disqualification from driving.
Detective Chief Inspector Emma Warbey, from the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit at City of London Police, said: “Counterfeiting safety-critical car components like tyres, wheels, airbags and brakes demonstrates the lengths that criminals will go to make money and their disregard for the safety of the people who will end up using these products.
“Our officers recently seized 500 counterfeit car airbags, which could have put motorists at risk, during an operation in east London.
“Fake airbags aren’t manufactured to industry standards, so there’s a real possibility that they won’t inflate during a road traffic collision, or will deploy in error.
“We know that the offer of a good deal can be enticing, but it’s vital to know how to spot the signs of a counterfeit car part and to buy from a reputable seller.”
Top tips to consider when buying vehicle parts
Information from GOV.UK
Price and seller
Be careful if a branded part is being sold for a cheaper price by a seller you don’t recognise, or even if it’s only marginally cheaper. If in doubt, research the seller regardless of shopping online or from the high street.
If the price is too good to be true, it probably is.
Value for money
You can choose between parts supplied by car manufacturers or by the aftermarket parts manufacturers. An aftermarket part is anything not supplied by a vehicle manufacturer under their own brand name.
Both follow rigorous testing and have traceability, but fakes can be found in both categories.
Sub-standard parts
Cheap parts aren’t always fake but can be just as dangerous. They can also void your vehicle warranty and/or insurance so do your research before purchasing parts.
Don’t bring your own parts to the garage
To save money, some people purchase parts themselves and ask an independent garage to install them. However, fitting fake car parts can endanger both the driver and the garage team, it can also invalidate warranties and cause liabilities to garages.
These parts are also unlikely to be covered by the garage under warranty if the part subsequently fails or for the supply of the replacement part or the labour costs to fit it.
For these reasons, many garages are cautious about installing customer-supplied parts. Trust experts such as those part of the Trust My Garage Scheme or a trusted local independent garage to source and fit your vehicle parts.
Using such garages ensures the parts installed are genuine and safe, providing peace of mind for both you and the professionals working on your vehicle.
Technical standards
Genuine manufacturers provide proof that their parts meet the required standards with a certificate of Original Equipment (OE) matching quality.
If you buy a fake part, you won’t receive this so you won’t know what you are getting.
Specification
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.
Tracking and recall
Vehicle manufacturers and legitimate suppliers can trace and replace faulty parts if there is a recall.
If you buy and fit a fake part in your vehicle, you could be at risk.
12% of Brits bought counterfeit brake pads or discs, according to the survey[/caption]
Parts crucial for car safety such as tyres, wheels, airbags, and brakes are among the most frequently purchased “fake” items[/caption]
