A new government campaign has been launched warning UK motorists about the dangers of buying fake car parts.
‘Fake Always Breaks’ is being led by the government’s Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and backed by the Independent Garage Association (IGA) and the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF)
It warns that the use of counterfeit parts is widespread after a survey of nearly 1,400 motorists revealed that one in six believed they had bought a fake part in the last 12 months.
Supply is being driven by criminal gangs, with one recent City of London Police raid seizing 500 counterfeit airbags and another in Milton Keynes seizing £22,000 worth of fake Ford Transit fuel filters, exhaust temperature sensors and brake pedals.
The campaign warns that counterfeits are more likely to fail and endanger road users, with the most commonly bought counterfeit parts include car batteries and tyres/wheels.
Fake car parts
Miles Rees, IPO deputy director of enforcement at the Intellectual Property Office, said: Fake car parts are illegal to sell and are very dangerous for motorists and other road users. While they may look the same, they are often made from inferior materials and are not safety tested. This increases the risk of failure and can lead to life-changing or life-ending consequences – a risk not worth taking.
“As we enter the darker, colder, icier months, driving can become more hazardous. This is why it is now more important than ever to highlight the dangers of fakes to motorists and help make every journey as safe as it can be. Our ‘Fake Always Breaks’ campaign aims to arm drivers with the information they need to spot a fake, avoid the risks and report sellers.”
