The federal government launches a brand new marketing campaign right now to warn motorists towards 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 value nearly £1billion in a single yr.
Counterfeit automobile elements are these that are marketed and bought to shoppers and companies said as being real branded automobile elements. They’re usually laborious to identify, carry the identical branding and look similar to real elements, however are more likely to be made utilizing inferior supplies and are usually not safety-tested.
Driving dwelling a transparent message that ‘Faux 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 gadgets corresponding to brakes, headlights and airbags. The marketing campaign additionally shares the next recommendation for shoppers and the motoring business on how you can spot a pretend:
- Be cautious of value – if it appears too good to be true, it most likely is.
- Analysis the vendor – if you’re unfamiliar with the corporate promoting the product, take a look at earlier buyer opinions and conduct some background analysis.
- Test the spec – pretend elements are sometimes ‘one measurement matches all’ and never made in your automobile. This might be harmful and trigger irreversible injury.
- Search for proof – real elements will include a certificates of Authentic Gear. 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.
Most of the mostly bought pretend 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 pretend automobile elements purchased counterfeit airbags, whereas over a tenth (12%) purchased pretend brake pads or discs.
Though many purchases are being made unknowingly, nearly three fifths (58%) of motorists who’ve purchased low cost elements stated they did so with the information that the half was counterfeit.
Getting elements for a cheaper price was a major 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 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: “Faux automobile elements 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 are usually not security examined. This will increase the chance of failure and might result in life-changing or life-ending penalties – a threat not value taking.
“As we enter the darker, colder, icier months, driving can change into extra hazardous. This is the 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 ‘Faux 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 ‘Faux At all times Breaks’ marketing campaign is supported by a variety of organisations from the automotive business, together with these within the automobile restore and servicing sector – such because the Unbiased Automotive Aftermarket Federation and the Unbiased Storage Affiliation who will likely be serving to to boost 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 protected.
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 sure 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 security of automobiles 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 way 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, stated: “Counterfeiting safety-critical automobile elements like tyres, wheels, airbags and brakes demonstrates the lengths that criminals will go to earn cash and their disregard for the security of the individuals who will find yourself utilizing these merchandise.
“Our officers just 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 business requirements, so there’s an actual risk that they gained’t inflate throughout a highway visitors collision, or will deploy in error.
“We all know that the supply of an excellent deal might be attractive, but it surely’s important to know how you can spot the indicators of a counterfeit automobile half and to purchase from a good vendor.”
