The federal government launches a brand new marketing campaign at this time to warn motorists towards 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 up to now 12 months alone.
OECD analysis has estimated that automobile counterfeit elements imported to the UK had been value nearly £1billion in a single 12 months.
Counterfeit automobile elements are these that are marketed and offered to shoppers and companies acknowledged as being real branded automobile elements. They’re typically laborious 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 ‘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 objects equivalent to brakes, headlights and airbags. The marketing campaign additionally shares the next recommendation for shoppers and the motoring trade on tips on how to spot a faux:
- Be cautious of value – 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 critiques and conduct some background analysis.
- Test the spec – faux elements are sometimes ‘one dimension matches all’ and never made on your automobile. This may very well be harmful and trigger irreversible harm.
- Search for proof – real elements will include a certificates of Unique Gear. 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 needs to be reported to Crimestoppers.
Most of the mostly bought faux automobile elements within the UK pose important 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, nearly 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 major issue amongst these deliberately shopping for a faux half, with three in ten (31%) citing price financial savings as a motive. 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, came upon by means of their storage after the half faulted, with 30% turning into conscious throughout routine service checks.
Miles Rees, IPO Deputy Director of Enforcement on the Mental Property Workplace, feedback: “Pretend automobile elements are unlawful to promote and are very harmful for motorists and different highway customers. Whereas they might look the identical, they’re typically constituted of inferior supplies and usually are not security examined. This will increase the danger 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. That is why it’s now extra necessary than ever to focus on the hazards of fakes to motorists and assist make each journey as secure as it may be. Our ‘Pretend At all times 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 ‘Pretend At all times 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 might be serving to to boost consciousness amongst their members and prospects. Automobile producers together with Mercedes Benz and legislation 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 secure.
Stuart James, Chief Government 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 equipped elements and match elements from trusted suppliers and respected automobile elements distributors. This follow not solely enhances the protection of autos but in addition reassures prospects that each one parts meet the required specs.”
“We actively encourage any storage that identifies counterfeit elements to report them by means of the assorted channels highlighted within the IPO recommendation. Collectively, we will fight this situation 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 parts like tyres, wheels, airbags and brakes demonstrates the lengths that criminals will go to earn a living 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 may have put motorists in danger, throughout an operation in east London. Pretend airbags aren’t manufactured to trade requirements, so there’s an actual risk that they received’t inflate throughout a highway site visitors collision, or will deploy in error.
“We all know that the supply of deal might be engaging, nevertheless it’s important to know tips on how to spot the indicators of a counterfeit automobile half and to purchase from a good vendor.”
