Brand risk and performance company, Corsearch, has issued new warnings to Australian road users after figures reveal a surge in online counterfeit car parts.

Corsearch assists brands to enforce takedown requests through monitoring the volume of counterfeit vehicle part listings on e-commerce platforms. The company reports that listings of counterfeit car parts have increased substantially over the last year.

“Unfortunately, we have seen a rise in both counterfeit car parts, as well as fake branded accessories for some of our automotive clients,” said Daniel Bennett, Corsearch President of Brand Protection.

“This increase in vehicle use, combined with the now normalised buyer behaviour of turning to online shopping channels, grants counterfeit sellers a bigger opportunity to attempt to sell unauthorized car parts in an in-demand market.”

Counterfeit parts can increase the risk of harm to a vehicle’s occupants through the use of low-quality materials.

Examples of dangerous counterfeit parts include spark plugs that cause significant engine damage, oil filters that do not filter oil, wheels that shatter in low-speed pothole impacts, brake components containing asbestos, and in one case, brake pads made of compressed grass clippings.

Tony Weber, Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), suggests it is not just vehicle owners that need to be cautious of the increasingly virulent counterfeit market.

“This is also a warning for technicians and repairers. Counterfeits are designed to deceive. We have seen technicians unwittingly fit counterfeit parts to customer cars before. Do not take risks with the supply of vehicle parts. Go through your local dealer and remember Genuine is best,” said Mr Weber.

Road users who are concerned that they have been sold a counterfeit vehicle part can lodge a report on the FCAI’s ‘Genuine is Best’ website.

All reports will be investigated by the relevant brand, and if necessary, shared with IP enforcement officers at the Department of Home Affairs.

Source: Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries

14 December 2020