The federal government launches a brand new marketing campaign immediately to warn motorists in opposition to shopping for faux elements for his or her autos, as a brand new survey reveals that one in six respondents (15%) mentioned they’ve bought a counterfeit half prior to now 12 months alone.
OECD analysis has estimated that automobile counterfeit elements imported to the UK have been value virtually £1billion in a single yr.
Counterfeit automobile elements are these that are marketed and offered to customers and companies said as being real branded automobile elements. They’re usually exhausting to identify, carry the identical branding and look similar to real elements, however are more likely to be made utilizing inferior supplies and usually are not safety-tested.
Driving house a transparent message that ‘Faux All the time Breaks’, the brand new marketing campaign – spearheaded by the Mental Property Workplace (IPO) – alerts drivers to the life-threatening risks posed by counterfeit objects reminiscent of brakes, headlights and airbags. The marketing campaign additionally shares the next recommendation for customers and the motoring trade on how one can spot a faux:
- Be cautious of worth – if it seems too good to be true, it most likely is.
- Analysis the vendor – if you’re unfamiliar with the corporate promoting the product, have a look at earlier buyer opinions and conduct some background analysis.
- Test the spec – faux elements are sometimes ‘one dimension matches all’ and never made to your automobile. This might be harmful and trigger irreversible injury.
- Search for proof – real elements will include a certificates of Unique Tools. If there isn’t one, it’s more likely to be a faux.
- Suspect it’s faux? Report it – it’s unlawful to promote counterfeits, and sellers must be reported to Crimestoppers.
Most of the mostly bought faux automobile elements within the UK pose vital security issues if defective, together with automobile batteries (purchased by 25% of motorists who admit to purchasing counterfeit elements), tyres/wheels (23%) and windscreen wipers (19%). Worryingly, 14% of motorists who’ve bought faux automobile elements purchased counterfeit airbags, whereas over a tenth (12%) purchased faux brake pads or discs.
Though many purchases are being made unknowingly, virtually three fifths (58%) of motorists who’ve purchased low cost elements mentioned they did so with the data that the half was counterfeit.
Getting elements for a lower cost was a big issue amongst these deliberately shopping for a faux half, with three in ten (31%) citing price financial savings as a cause. In the meantime, a 3rd (34%) of motorists who admitted to purchasing faux elements mentioned 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 faux that they thought was real, discovered by 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: “Faux automobile elements are unlawful to promote and are very harmful for motorists and different highway customers. Whereas they could look the identical, they’re usually comprised of inferior supplies and usually are not security examined. This will increase the chance of failure and might result in life-changing or life-ending penalties – a danger not value taking.
“As we enter the darker, colder, icier months, driving can grow to be extra hazardous. For this reason it’s now extra vital than ever to focus on the hazards of fakes to motorists and assist make each journey as protected as it may be. Our ‘Faux All the time Breaks’ marketing campaign goals to arm drivers with the data they should spot a faux, keep away from the dangers and report sellers.”
Assist from trade will assist drive motion
The IPO’s ‘Faux All the time Breaks’ marketing campaign is supported by a variety of organisations from the automotive trade, together with these within the automobile restore and servicing sector – such because the Unbiased Automotive Aftermarket Federation and the Unbiased Storage Affiliation who can be serving to to boost consciousness amongst their members and clients. 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 Govt Officer on the Unbiased Storage Affiliation (IGA): “We’re happy to assist the IPO’s marketing campaign that goals to boost consciousness of the extreme security dangers that counterfeit automobile elements pose to all highway customers.”
“Garages ought to be certain that they keep away from utilizing buyer provided elements and match elements from trusted suppliers and respected automobile elements distributors. This follow not solely enhances the security of autos but additionally reassures clients that every one elements meet the required specs.”
“We actively encourage any storage that identifies counterfeit elements to report them by the assorted channels highlighted within the IPO recommendation. Collectively, we are able to fight this concern 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, mentioned: “Counterfeiting safety-critical automobile elements like tyres, wheels, airbags and brakes demonstrates the lengths that criminals will go to generate profits and their disregard for the security of the individuals who will find yourself utilizing these merchandise.
“Our officers lately seized 500 counterfeit automobile airbags, which might have put motorists in danger, throughout an operation in east London. Faux airbags aren’t manufactured to trade requirements, so there’s an actual risk that they gained’t inflate throughout a highway site visitors collision, or will deploy in error.
“We all know that the supply of a very good deal could be attractive, however it’s very important to know how one can spot the indicators of a counterfeit automobile half and to purchase from a good vendor.”
