Have you seen our latest edition of Aftermarket, our e-magazine? You can read it in full here. Below is the first in a series of stories from ‘The Parts Issue’.
Everyone likes a bargain, and we all try and find things at the very best price we can. Yet, from Amazon to eBay, there lies a dangerous, dark, cheaper version of that replacement part you’re looking for.
While the bargain price might be tempting, the risks associated with counterfeit components make them far from negligible.
Often, these parts are meticulously designed to look exactly like the genuine OEM component, even down to the packaging. But the lack of proper testing or quality control can put drivers, passengers, pedestrians, your customers and even your business at risk.
When a bargain turns dangerous
Depending on what you might be replacing, counterfeit parts can compromise a vehicle’s safety in several different ways.
Take, for example, the stories of brake pads that have been rumoured to be made from compressed grass cuttings dyed black to look like rubber. Or the recent story we featured about three men being arrested by officers from the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit, who seized around 500 fake airbags and around £140k in cash.
The counterfeit airbags were believed to have been imported from China and sold abroad at prices significantly lower than genuine products. Police suspect that the airbags were offered for sale at prices as low as £25.
But the dangers go beyond just critical safety components. Counterfeit fuel filters or spark plugs can lead to engine damage, breakdowns and potentially even fires. While pseudo steering and suspension parts can cause, at best, unpredictable handling and, at worst, sheer or break off while on the road.
The Independent Garage Association (IGA) highlights the potential consequences of using counterfeit parts. They warn that these components “can have a significant impact on a vehicle’s safety, reliability, and performance.”
How to spot counterfeit parts
The tricky thing is that with modern technology like Photoshop, digital printing and the cheapness of Chinese production, it’s becoming harder than ever to spot counterfeit parts.
More often than not, they appear near identical to the real deal, with only minor visual imperfections to tell them apart. But there are a few red flags to look out for.
Look for inconsistences in packaging and labelling. Genuine parts will have clearly printed, professional-looking packaging with the manufacturers’ logo and relevant info. Counterfeit parts could have typos or grammatical errors, which a genuine part wouldn’t. Printing could also be blurry, or just badly done.
Look out for instructions. Most genuine parts will contain instructions, a warranty, or a safety leaflet with them. Likewise, a lot of makes include accessories that counterfeiters likely won’t.
Price is also a big tell. Is it too good to be true? Be realistic; if, like the airbag story, you’re being offered an airbag at £30 when the OEM part is £220, or a used one is £150, then it’s probably not legit.
Genuine parts cost more because they’re manufactured using high-quality materials and undergo stringent testing, which is why you pay more for the end result.
How to not get stung by counterfeit parts
It’s all too easy to end up with counterfeit parts without even realising it. Especially when ‘sort by lowest price’ is incredibly easy to do on most online marketplaces.
But as an independent garage, you also need to be careful when it comes to owner supplied parts. If someone supplies a set of brake pads they sourced themselves for a bargain price, you then fit them, and they then injure or kill themselves or someone else; where does the liability sit? It’s a murky place that’s best avoided.
Buy from trustworthy sources – You know you can trust any of the large motor factors to provide you with genuine parts from their massive warehouses. Likewise, any main dealer. These establishments can guarantee authenticity from start to finish.
Avoid online marketplaces – Unless you’re buying end-of-life or returned stock that’s been checked from genuine motor factors, it’s wise to think again. No matter how good the price is. Research the seller and check reviews.
Don’t fit user-supplied parts—To avoid a whole world of ‘what ifs’ and potential legal issues, don’t even consider fitting parts given to you by a customer.
Battling counterfeits
The fight against counterfeits is and always has been a collaborative one, no matter the industry. It starts with manufacturers implementing strong countermeasures to try and deter counterfeiting in the first place, from holograms, seals, and technical printing techniques to QR codes with web based traceability.
Law enforcement also has a part to play by disrupting those already creating the counterfeits, but this can often only happen when buyers spot and report counterfeits in the first place.
Which makes consumer awareness critical. By educating yourself and your staff about the dangers of counterfeit parts and ‘too good to be true’ pricing, we can all help keep each other safer on the roads.
Choose reputable suppliers, say no to customers providing their own parts and remember that a little vigilance can go a long way to preventing a potentially lethal outcome.