An operation in South Gloucestershire has seen potentially lethal counterfeit vehicle parts seized, as the fight against fake automotive items continues.
The operation saw South Gloucestershire Trading Standards remove more than 3,600 counterfeit branded components from a trader operating from a self-storage facility. The value of the items seized is estimated at more than £100,000.
The seized items included fake spark plugs, oil filters, air filters, fuel filters, windscreen wipers and sensors. Officers also discovered counterfeit parts in plain packaging alongside sheets of unused counterfeit labels.
Problems with counterfeit vehicle parts
Counterfeit vehicle parts can pose significant safety risks to the public, drivers and pedestrians alike. They bypass the rigorous testing required for genuine products, making them far more likely to fail and cause accidents.
Often failing quickly, they offer no safety guarantees and could put drivers, passengers and other road users at risk, causing expensive damage to vehicles or, worse, serious accidents.
While many of these parts will be bought directly by the public, often through online trading platforms, some parts can end up in workshops depending on supply channels. Many of these parts may look legitimate, but are made with vastly inferior materials, and involve a less focused manufacturing process.
Increasing issues
The South Gloucestershire operation, supported by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) through the Tick Box Scheme, involved enforcement teams from eight major car manufacturers. Targeting a sophisticated counterfeiting operation, it uncovered illegal parts ready for widespread distribution to the motoring public.
The Tick Box scheme helps protect self-storage facilities from criminal exploitation by providing guidance to operators on identifying suspicious activity and connecting them directly with local Trading Standards Officers
This latest seizure reflects a wider ongoing threat to the UK public. A separate raid by the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) in East London last September saw three arrested over sale of dangerous counterfeit car airbags, highlighting the persistent threat posed by fake automotive parts nationwide.
A recent IPO survey also revealed that one in six motorists had bought a counterfeit part in the previous 12 months alone. Many did so unknowingly, only finding out the part was fake when it faulted, or during routine service checks.
Research published last year by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) estimated that counterfeit vehicle parts imported to the UK were worth almost £2.2 billion in 2021.
The IPO survey also revealed that the most commonly purchased counterfeit vehicle parts are those which pose the most significant safety risks. These include car batteries, bought by 25% of those admitting to buying fakes, tyres/wheels bought by 23%, and critically, brake pads or discs at 12%, and airbags at 14%.
Important role for garages
Garages play an important role in identifying counterfeit vehicle parts. Of respondents, 45% who bought a fake that they thought was genuine, found out through their garage after the part faulted. Around 30% only became aware the part was fake during routine service checks.
The IPO has published detailed guidance for motorists and garages on how to spot, avoid selling or installing and report counterfeit vehicle parts. This guidance has been developed in partnership with the motoring industry.
Red flags include:
- Vague product descriptions
- Poor quality packaging
- Missing safety guidelines
- Incorrect serial numbers
- Misspellings on parts or packaging; instructions in a language other than expected
The IPO and Trading Standards are urging motorists and garages to remain vigilant when purchasing parts, particularly online or from unfamiliar suppliers. Anyone with concerns about suspicious and potentially counterfeit vehicle parts, or traders of these items, should report these to Trading Standards.
“Counterfeit vehicle parts can lead to life-changing or life-ending consequences for road users. This is anything but a victimless crime,” commented Helen Barnham, The Intellectual Property Office’s Deputy Director of Enforcement. “These fake parts bypass safety tests and are often made with vastly inferior materials, putting them at serious risk of failure with potentially devastating results.
“This latest seizure demonstrates that criminals are continuing to exploit the use of legitimate self-storage facilities across the UK to store counterfeit goods.
“We are working closely with law enforcement across the UK to stay ahead of the criminals, but motorists must stay vigilant, especially when buying parts online. Our message is clear: fake always breaks.”
Mike Hawes, Chief Executive of the SMMT, added: “The automotive industry invests billions developing parts and components that are safe, reliable and built to last, with many governed by stringent UN ECE Regulations for on-road use. Parts which fail to meet such standards, or are counterfeit, pose a safety and environmental risk to motorists and other road users.
“Clamping down on their availability and building consumer awareness is crucial to keep Britain’s roads safe so this collaboration between manufacturers, law enforcement and regulators is essential.
Last year the Intellectual Property Office conducted the ‘Fake Always Breaks’ national awareness campaign warning of the dangers of buying counterfeit vehicle parts. This brought targeted social media and industry voices together, highlighting to consumers and the motor trade that counterfeits are more likely to fail and endanger road users.
Supported by vehicle manufacturers including Mercedes Benz and law enforcement bodies such as the City of London Police’s Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU), it demonstrated that the trade in counterfeit parts not only enriches criminals, but puts lives at risk.
