Driver safety warning as thousands of "potentially lethal" car parts seized

Thousands of potentially dangerous fake car parts have been seized after a major raid in South Gloucestershire.

Valued at over £100,000, the operation by South Gloucestershire Trading Standards uncovered more than 3,600 fake car parts in a self-storage unit.

The haul included counterfeit spark plugs, oil filters, air filters, fuel filters, windscreen wipers and sensors.

Fake vehicle parts are designed to resemble genuine components, but bypass key safety testing which means they are more likely to fail - putting motorists at serious risk.

Officers also found fake parts packaged plainly, along with unused counterfeit labels ready for shipment.

Drivers are being urged to be vigilant when buying car parts, particularly if they sourced from online suppliers or unfamiliar local businesses.

Shockingly, a recent survey by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) found that one in six drivers had bought a counterfeit car part in the past year.

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“Fake parts bypass safety tests and are often made with vastly inferior materials, putting them at serious risk of failure with potentially devastating results,” said IPO’s Deputy Director of Enforcement, Helen Barnham.

Speaking to BBC News, Councillor Sean Rhodes, South Gloucestershire Council's cabinet member for Trading Standards, said counterfeit parts can be "potentially lethal".

"Our Trading Standards team, working with national partners and industry experts, has acted decisively to protect motorists and the wider public," he added.

Fake car parts in the UK

A recent IPO survey found that the most purchased counterfeit parts are those which pose the most significant safety risks. 

The most common fake car parts include:

• Car batteries (bought by 25% of those admitting to buying fakes)
• Tyres/wheels (23%)
• Brake pads or discs (12%)
• Airbags (14%)

More than two in five motorists (45%) who bought a fake that they thought was genuine, found out through their garage after the part faulted. 

Around one in three (30%) only became aware the part was fake during routine service checks.

How to avoid buying fake car parts

If a part has failed on your car, take your vehicle to a reputable garage or mechanic.

RAC Approved Garages network can help, along with RAC Mobile Mechanics.

According to Trading Standards, these are the top 5 warning signs to look out for when buying car parts.

1. Vague product descriptions
2. Poor quality packaging
3. Missing safety guidelines
4. Incorrect serial numbers
5. Misspellings on parts or packaging; instructions that do not include English

Do you have concerns about a suspicious vehicle part or trader? Report it to Trading Standards consumer help team.