The federal government launches a brand new marketing campaign right now to warn motorists in opposition to shopping for pretend components for his or her automobiles, as a brand new survey reveals that one in six respondents (15%) stated they’ve bought a counterfeit half up to now 12 months alone.
OECD analysis has estimated that car counterfeit components imported to the UK have been price virtually £1billion in a single yr.
Counterfeit automobile components are these that are marketed and offered to shoppers and companies said as being real branded car components. They’re usually exhausting to identify, carry the identical branding and look similar to real components, however are prone to be made utilizing inferior supplies and will not be safety-tested.
Driving residence a transparent message that ‘Pretend At all times Breaks’, the brand new marketing campaign – spearheaded by the Mental Property Workplace (IPO) – alerts drivers to the life-threatening risks posed by counterfeit gadgets equivalent to brakes, headlights and airbags. The marketing campaign additionally shares the next recommendation for shoppers and the motoring business on learn how to spot a pretend:
- Be cautious of value – if it seems too good to be true, it in all probability is.
- Analysis the vendor – if you’re unfamiliar with the corporate promoting the product, have a look at earlier buyer critiques and conduct some background analysis.
- Verify the spec – pretend components are sometimes ‘one measurement matches all’ and never made on your car. This could possibly be harmful and trigger irreversible injury.
- Search for proof – real components will include a certificates of Authentic Tools. If there isn’t one, it’s prone to be a pretend.
- Suspect it’s pretend? Report it – it’s unlawful to promote counterfeits, and sellers ought to be reported to Crimestoppers.
Lots of the mostly bought pretend automobile components within the UK pose vital security considerations if defective, together with automobile batteries (purchased by 25% of motorists who admit to purchasing counterfeit components), tyres/wheels (23%) and windscreen wipers (19%). Worryingly, 14% of motorists who’ve bought pretend automobile components purchased counterfeit airbags, whereas over a tenth (12%) purchased pretend brake pads or discs.
Though many purchases are being made unknowingly, virtually three fifths (58%) of motorists who’ve purchased low-cost components stated they did so with the information that the half was counterfeit.
Getting components for a cheaper price was a big issue amongst these deliberately shopping for a pretend half, with three in ten (31%) citing price financial savings as a purpose. In the meantime, a 3rd (34%) of motorists who admitted to purchasing pretend components stated they did so as a result of they felt there was no discernible distinction in look (34%).
Purchases made unknowingly are sometimes uncovered at a later stage. Greater than two in 5 motorists (45%) who purchased a pretend that they thought was real, came upon via their storage after the half faulted, with 30% changing into conscious throughout routine service checks.
Miles Rees, IPO Deputy Director of Enforcement on the Mental Property Workplace, feedback: “Pretend automobile components are unlawful to promote and are very harmful for motorists and different highway customers. Whereas they might look the identical, they’re usually constructed from inferior supplies and will not be security examined. This will increase the danger of failure and may result in life-changing or life-ending penalties – a danger not price taking.
“As we enter the darker, colder, icier months, driving can grow to be extra hazardous. For this reason it’s now extra necessary than ever to spotlight the hazards of fakes to motorists and assist make each journey as protected as it may be. Our ‘Pretend At all times Breaks’ marketing campaign goals to arm drivers with the data they should spot a pretend, keep away from the dangers and report sellers.”
Assist from business will assist drive motion
The IPO’s ‘Pretend At all times Breaks’ marketing campaign is supported by a spread of organisations from the automotive business, together with these within the car restore and servicing sector – such because the Impartial Automotive Aftermarket Federation and the Impartial Storage Affiliation who might be serving to to boost consciousness amongst their members and prospects. Automobile producers together with Mercedes Benz and regulation enforcement our bodies such because the Metropolis of London Police’s Mental Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) are additionally concerned within the drive to maintain highway customers protected.
Stuart James, Chief Government Officer on the Impartial Storage Affiliation (IGA): “We’re happy to help the IPO’s marketing campaign that goals to boost consciousness of the extreme security dangers that counterfeit car components pose to all highway customers.”
“Garages ought to be certain that they keep away from utilizing buyer provided components and match components from trusted suppliers and respected car components distributors. This observe not solely enhances the protection of automobiles but in addition reassures prospects that every one parts meet the required specs.”
“We actively encourage any storage that identifies counterfeit components to report them via the varied channels highlighted within the IPO recommendation. Collectively, we are able to fight this subject and contribute to safer roads for all.”
T/ Detective Chief Inspector Emma Warbey, from the Police Mental Property Crime Unit (PIPCU), at Metropolis of London Police, stated: “Counterfeiting safety-critical automobile parts like tyres, wheels, airbags and brakes demonstrates the lengths that criminals will go to earn cash and their disregard for the protection of the individuals who will find yourself utilizing these merchandise.
“Our officers not too long ago seized 500 counterfeit automobile airbags, which might have put motorists in danger, throughout an operation in east London. Pretend airbags aren’t manufactured to business requirements, so there’s an actual chance that they gained’t inflate throughout a highway site visitors collision, or will deploy in error.
“We all know that the provide of a very good deal may be attractive, but it surely’s important to know learn how to spot the indicators of a counterfeit automobile half and to purchase from a good vendor.”
