The federal government launches a brand new marketing campaign at present 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 prior to now 12 months alone.
OECD analysis has estimated that automobile counterfeit components imported to the UK had been value virtually £1billion in a single yr.
Counterfeit automobile components are these that are marketed and offered to customers and companies said as being real branded automobile components. They’re usually laborious to identify, carry the identical branding and look similar to real components, however are more likely to be made utilizing inferior supplies and should not safety-tested.
Driving house a transparent message that ‘Pretend 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 gadgets resembling brakes, headlights and airbags. The marketing campaign additionally shares the next recommendation for customers and the motoring trade on find out how to spot a pretend:
- Be cautious of worth – if it appears too good to be true, it in all probability is.
- Analysis the vendor – in case you are unfamiliar with the corporate promoting the product, have a look at earlier buyer evaluations and conduct some background analysis.
- Test the spec – pretend components are sometimes ‘one dimension matches all’ and never made in your automobile. 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 more likely to be a pretend.
- Suspect it’s pretend? Report it – it’s unlawful to promote counterfeits, and sellers must be reported to Crimestoppers.
Lots of the mostly bought pretend automobile components within the UK pose important 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 lower cost was a big issue amongst these deliberately shopping for a pretend half, with three in ten (31%) citing value financial savings as a cause. 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 by way of 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 constituted of inferior supplies and should not security examined. This will increase the danger of failure and may result in life-changing or life-ending penalties – a threat not value taking.
“As we enter the darker, colder, icier months, driving can turn out to be extra hazardous. For this reason it’s now extra essential than ever to spotlight the hazards of fakes to motorists and assist make each journey as secure as it may be. Our ‘Pretend All the time 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 trade will assist drive motion
The IPO’s ‘Pretend All the time Breaks’ marketing campaign is supported by a spread of organisations from the automotive trade, together with these within the automobile restore and servicing sector – such because the Impartial Automotive Aftermarket Federation and the Impartial Storage Affiliation who will probably be serving to to lift consciousness amongst their members and clients. Car 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 secure.
Stuart James, Chief Government Officer on the Impartial Storage Affiliation (IGA): “We’re happy to assist the IPO’s marketing campaign that goals to lift consciousness of the extreme security dangers that counterfeit automobile components pose to all highway customers.”
“Garages ought to be sure that they keep away from utilizing buyer provided components and match components from trusted suppliers and respected automobile components distributors. This apply not solely enhances the protection of automobiles but additionally reassures clients that each one elements meet the required specs.”
“We actively encourage any storage that identifies counterfeit components to report them by way of the varied channels highlighted within the IPO recommendation. Collectively, we will fight this challenge 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 elements 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 lately 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 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 might be attractive, but it surely’s important to know find out how to spot the indicators of a counterfeit automobile half and to purchase from a good vendor.”
