As the Motor claims sector embraces green, or recycled car parts as part of the repair process, it’s wise to consider the temptation this offers to the suppliers of fake OEM parts. Here’s the word;
Potentially lethal fake vehicle parts have been seized by authorities in a major operation in South Gloucestershire. The operation saw South Gloucestershire Trading Standards remove more than 3,600 counterfeit branded components from a trader operating from a self-storage facility. The value of the items seized is estimated at more than £100,000. Counterfeit vehicle parts are unauthorised fake copies, designed to look like genuine parts. They are sold illegally to defraud consumers and businesses, and are usually made with vastly inferior materials and manufacturing processes.
These parts can pose significant safety risks, leading to malfunctions, accidents, and potential fatalities. They bypass the rigorous testing required for genuine products, making them far more likely to fail and cause accidents. Often failing quickly, they offer no safety guarantees and could put drivers, passengers and other road users at risk – causing expensive damage to vehicles or, worse, serious accidents.
The South Gloucestershire operation, supported by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) through the Tick Box Scheme[1], involved enforcement teams from eight major car manufacturers. Targeting a sophisticated counterfeiting operation, it uncovered a wide variety of illegal parts ready for widespread distribution to the motoring public.
Seized items included fake spark plugs, oil filters, air filters, fuel filters, windscreen wipers and sensors. Officers also discovered sheets of unused counterfeit labels alongside counterfeit parts in plain packaging.
The wider threat
This latest seizure reflects a wider ongoing threat to the UK public. A separate raid by the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) in East London last September saw 500 counterfeit air bags seized – highlighting the persistent threat posed by fake automotive parts nationwide.
Research published last year by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) estimated that counterfeit vehicle parts imported to the UK were worth almost £2.2 billion in 2021.
A recent IPO survey also revealed that one in six motorists had bought a counterfeit part in the previous 12 months alone. Many did so unknowingly, only finding out the part was fake when it faulted, or during routine service checks.
Worryingly, the IPO survey also revealed that the fakes purchased the most commonly are also the most dangerous. These include car batteries (bought by 25% of those admitting to buying fakes), tyres/wheels (23%), and critically, brake pads or discs (12%), and airbags (14%).
More than four in ten motorists (45%) who bought a fake thinking it was genuine only found out through their garage after the part faulted, with around one in three (30%) becoming aware the part was fake during routine service checks.
How to protect yourself
The IPO has published detailed guidance for motorists and garages on how to spot, avoid selling or installing and report fake vehicle parts. The guidance has been developed in partnership with the motoring industry.
Red flags to help spot a fake include:
-Vague product descriptions
-Poor quality packaging
-Missing safety guidelines
-Incorrect serial numbers
-Misspellings on parts or packaging; instructions in a language other than expected
The IPO and Trading Standards are urging motorists and garages to remain vigilant when purchasing parts, particularly online or from unfamiliar suppliers. Anyone with concerns about a suspicious vehicle part or trader should report these to Trading Standards.
The Intellectual Property Office’s Deputy Director of Enforcement Helen Barnham said:
“Counterfeit vehicle parts can lead to life-changing or life-ending consequences for road users. This is anything but a victimless crime. These fake parts bypass safety tests and are often made with vastly inferior materials, putting them at serious risk of failure with potentially devastating results.
“This latest seizure demonstrates that criminals are continuing to exploit the use of legitimate self storage facilities across the UK to store counterfeit goods. We’re working closely with law enforcement across the UK to stay ahead of the criminals, but motorists must stay vigilant, especially when buying parts online. Our message is clear: fake always breaks.”
South Gloucestershire Council Cabinet Member for Trading Standards, Councillor Sean Rhodes, said:
“Counterfeit vehicle parts are not just illegal – they are potentially lethal. Our Trading Standards team, working with national partners and industry experts, has acted decisively to protect motorists and the wider public.
“We urge everyone to be vigilant when buying vehicle parts, especially online, and to report anything suspicious. Safety must come first, and this seizure sends a clear message that we will not tolerate criminal activity that could put lives at risk.”
Be the first to comment