Drivers issued urgent warning of 'dangerous' car parts as millions face peril - 'A risk not worth taking'

New research has shown that one in six motorists have admitted to buying counterfeit car parts in the past 12 months, prompting urgent intervention.

It has been estimated that counterfeit vehicle parts imported to the UK were worth almost £1billion in a single year, OECD research found.

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Some of the most important, safety-critical car components, including tyres, wheels, airbags, and brakes, were also found to be the most commonly purchased fake items.

Fake car parts are often advertised and sold to consumers and businesses that are stated as being genuine, further posing risks to motorists.

The "Fake Always Breaks" campaign alerts drivers to life-threatening dangers posed by counterfeit items and shares advice to motorists looking to purchase car parts.

Many of the most commonly purchased fake car parts pose significant risks, with 25 per cent of people saying they purchased car batteries, as well as tyres (23 per cent) and windscreen wipers (19 per cent).

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."

He noted that these issues could become more dangerous during the winter months as conditions become more hazardous and faulty car parts could greatly contribute to an accident.

Almost one-third of motorists said their main motivation behind intentionally buying a fake car part was to save money, while others (34 per cent) said they bought fake parts because they thought there was no discernable difference in appearance.

The campaign is being supported by PIPCU at the City of London Police, the Independent Garage Association and Mercedes-Benz which have all highlighted the dangers of buying fake products.

A test of a genuine and fake brake pad by Mercedes-Benz found that the counterfeit pad was worn down at a far quicker rate, contributing to a much greater braking distance.

Earlier this year, officers from the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) at City of London Police arrested three people over the sale of dangerous counterfeit car airbags.

In total, more than 500 airbags were found, as well as £140,000 in cash. Following the arrests, PIPCU called on motorists who were concerned about potentially buying a counterfeit vehicle part to contact their nearest authorised car dealer.

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Stuart James, CEO of the Independent Garage Association (IGA), said: "Garages should ensure that they avoid using customer supplied parts and fit parts from trusted suppliers and reputable vehicle parts distributors.

"This practice not only enhances the safety of vehicles but also reassures customers that all components meet the required specifications.

"We actively encourage any garage that identifies counterfeit parts to report them through the various channels highlighted in the IPO advice. Together, we can combat this issue and contribute to safer roads for all."