The federal government launches a brand new marketing campaign right now to warn motorists in opposition to shopping for pretend elements 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 elements imported to the UK had been price virtually £1billion in a single yr.
Counterfeit automotive elements are these that are marketed and offered to shoppers and companies acknowledged as being real branded automobile elements. They’re usually exhausting to identify, carry the identical branding and look similar to real elements, however are prone to be made utilizing inferior supplies and should not safety-tested.
Driving dwelling 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 resembling brakes, headlights and airbags. The marketing campaign additionally shares the next recommendation for shoppers and the motoring business on easy methods to spot a pretend:
- Be cautious of value – if it seems to be too good to be true, it in all probability is.
- Analysis the vendor – in case you are unfamiliar with the corporate promoting the product, take a look at earlier buyer evaluations and conduct some background analysis.
- Examine the spec – pretend elements are sometimes ‘one measurement matches all’ and never made on your automobile. This could possibly be harmful and trigger irreversible injury.
- Search for proof – real elements 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 automotive elements within the UK pose vital security issues if defective, together with automotive 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 pretend automotive elements 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 elements stated they did so with the data that the half was counterfeit.
Getting elements 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 elements 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, discovered by way 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 automotive 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 should not 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 change into extra hazardous. For this reason it’s now extra vital than ever to spotlight the risks 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.”
Help 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 automobile restore and servicing sector – such because the Impartial Automotive Aftermarket Federation and the Impartial Storage Affiliation who will likely be serving to to lift 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 Impartial Storage Affiliation (IGA): “We’re happy to help the IPO’s marketing campaign that goals to lift 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 apply not solely enhances the security of automobiles but additionally reassures clients that each one parts meet the required specs.”
“We actively encourage any storage that identifies counterfeit elements 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 automotive parts like tyres, wheels, airbags and brakes demonstrates the lengths that criminals will go to make cash and their disregard for the security of the individuals who will find yourself utilizing these merchandise.
“Our officers not too long ago seized 500 counterfeit automotive airbags, which may have put motorists in danger, throughout an operation in east London. Pretend airbags aren’t manufactured to business 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 provide of an excellent deal might be engaging, however it’s important to know easy methods to spot the indicators of a counterfeit automotive half and to purchase from a good vendor.”
