Government targets fake car parts

The UK government’s Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has launched a national campaign warning of the dangers of fake car parts

The UK government’s ‘Fake Always Breaks’ campaign aims to highlight to consumers and the motor trade that counterfeit items are more likely to fail and endanger road users, with safety-critical items such as tyres, wheels, airbags and brakes among the most commonly purchased examples.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) research estimated that counterfeit vehicle parts imported to the UK were worth almost £1billion in 2016, while a survey conducted for the IPO has revealed that one in six motorists who responded had bought a counterfeit part in the past 12 months alone.

Counterfeit car parts are those which are advertised and sold as being genuine branded vehicle parts. They often look very similar to genuine parts, but are likely to be made using inferior materials and are not subject to the same rigorous testing as legitimate products. The campaign also shares advice for consumers and the motoring industry on how to spot a fake, asking them to be wary of price, to research the seller, to check the spec, look for proof of being genuine (such as a certificate) and to report suspected fakes to Crimestoppers.

Many of the most commonly purchased fakes in the UK include car batteries (bought by 25 per cent of motorists who admit to buying counterfeit parts), tyres/wheels (23 per cent) and windscreen wipers (19 per cent). Worryingly, 14 per cent of motorists who have purchased fake car parts bought counterfeit airbags, while 12 per cent bought fake brake pads or discs. Although many purchases are being made unknowingly, 58 per cent who have bought cheap parts said they knew they were counterfeit.

The campaign is being supported by a range of organisations including the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation and the Independent Garage Association, as well as Mercedes-Benz and the City of London Police’s Intellectual Property Crime Unit.

Miles Rees, IPO Deputy Director of Enforcement, said: “We want to raise awareness that the trade in counterfeit vehicle parts not only harms legitimate traders while enriching criminals, but can also lead to life-changing or life-ending consequences for road users.

“Our ‘Fake Always Breaks’ campaign seeks to arm motorists and the vehicle repair and servicing industries with the awareness they need to help spot a fake, avoid the risks and report sellers. It reinforces a clear message that – as with all counterfeiting and piracy – this is anything but a victimless crime.”