Government targets fake car parts as one in six admit buying counterfeits
The government’s Intellectual Property Office has launched a new national awareness campaign to warn consumers of the dangers of buying fake vehicle parts
The issue is shown to be widespread as a survey reveals one in six motorists said they had bought a counterfeit part in the past 12 months alone
Safety-critical items such as tyres, wheels, airbags and brakes are among the most commonly purchased fake items
The ‘Fake Always Breaks’ campaign highlights that counterfeits are more likely to fail and endanger road users, putting lives at risk
The government launches a new campaign today to warn motorists against buying fake parts for their vehicles, as a new survey reveals that one in six respondents (15%) said they have purchased a counterfeit part in the past 12 months alone.
OECD research has estimated that vehicle counterfeit parts imported to the UK were worth almost £1billion in a single year.
Counterfeit car parts are those which are advertised and sold to consumers and businesses stated as being genuine branded vehicle parts. They are often hard to spot, carry the same branding and look very similar to genuine parts, but are likely to be made using inferior materials and are not safety-tested.
Driving home a clear message that ‘Fake Always Breaks’, the new campaign – spearheaded by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) – alerts drivers to the life-threatening dangers posed by counterfeit items such as brakes, headlights and airbags. The campaign also shares the following advice for consumers and the motoring industry on how to spot a fake:
Be wary of price – if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
Research the seller – if you are unfamiliar with the company selling the product, look at previous customer reviews and conduct some background research
Check the spec – fake parts are often ‘one size fits all’ and not made for your vehicle. This could be dangerous and cause irreversible damage.
Look for proof – genuine parts will come with a certificate of Original Equipment. If there isn’t one, it’s likely to be a fake.
Suspect it’s fake? Report it – it is illegal to sell counterfeits, and sellers should be reported to Crimestoppers.
Many of the most commonly purchased fake car parts in the UK pose significant safety concerns if faulty, including car batteries (bought by 25% of motorists who admit to buying counterfeit parts), tyres/wheels (23%) and windscreen wipers (19%). Worryingly, 14% of motorists who have purchased fake car parts bought counterfeit airbags, while over a tenth (12%) bought fake brake pads or discs.
Although many purchases are being made unknowingly, almost three fifths (58%) of motorists who have bought cheap parts said they did so with the knowledge that the part was counterfeit.
Getting parts for a lower price was a significant factor among those intentionally buying a fake part, with three in ten (31%) citing cost savings as a reason. Meanwhile, a third (34%) of motorists who admitted to buying fake parts said they did so because they felt there was no discernible difference in appearance (34%).
Purchases made unknowingly are often uncovered at a later stage. More than two in five motorists (45%) who bought a fake that they thought was genuine, found out through their garage after the part faulted, with 30% becoming aware during routine service checks.
Miles Rees, IPO Deputy Director of Enforcement at the Intellectual Property Office, comments: “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. Our ‘Fake Always Breaks’ campaign aims to arm drivers with the information they need to spot a fake, avoid the risks and report sellers.”
Support from industry will help drive action
The IPO’s ‘Fake Always Breaks’ campaign is supported by a range of organisations from the automotive industry, including those in the vehicle repair and servicing sector – such as the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation and the Independent Garage Association who will be helping to raise awareness among their members and customers. Vehicle manufacturers including Mercedes Benz and law enforcement bodies such as the City of London Police’s Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) are also involved in the drive to keep road users safe.
Stuart James, Chief Executive Officer at the Independent Garage Association (IGA): "We are pleased to support the IPO's campaign that aims to raise awareness of the severe safety risks that counterfeit vehicle parts pose to all road users."
“Garages should ensure that they avoid using customer supplied parts and fit parts from trusted suppliers and reputable vehicle parts distributors. This practice not only enhances the safety of vehicles but also reassures customers that all components meet the required specifications.”
"We actively encourage any garage that identifies counterfeit parts to report them through the various channels highlighted in the IPO advice. Together, we can combat this issue and contribute to safer roads for all."
T/ Detective Chief Inspector Emma Warbey, from the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU), 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.”
To find out more about the dangers posed by fake car parts, and how to report them being sold, visit: bit.ly/fakealwaysbreaks.