Beware of Counterfeit Car Parts in Kansas City

Everyone tries to save money when buying auto parts, or paying to have their vehicle serviced and repaired. Then what’s the harm in taking a mechanic’s offering of cheap knock-off car parts? We’re here to give you the low-down on counterfeit parts, so you don’t make a poor decision when fixing your car. After all, the need to be fiscally responsible shouldn’t lead you to skimp on the parts that keep you safe on the road!

So, how ubiquitous are these fake car parts in the auto repair market, and are they really that dangerous?

Where Do Counterfeit Auto Parts Come From?

Per Bruce Foucart, director of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, somewhere between up to 95% of all counterfeit auto parts come from China. These fake parts are never tested in accordance with U.S. standards for safety and failure rates. What’s more, automotive agencies have reported that the production, distribution, and sale of these faulty counterfeit parts have increased dramatically over the last 15 years. This illicit trade generates somewhere around $12 billion a year, according to a U.S. FTC report.

Types of Fake Car Parts

As is the case in life, you get what you pay for when buying a counterfeit car part. They’re made of poor materials and can compromise the longevity of your vehicle, let alone your life! Don’t risk life and limb over these essential car parts.

Counterfeit parts include windshields, airbags, brake pads, and seat belts—all of which may be fabricated with cheap materials from shoddy factories that are not certified or recognized by auto manufacturers. Airbags, in particular, seem to be the worst of the bunch; many counterfeit airbags fail to deploy or deploy in such a way as to unnecessarily injure passengers and drivers. Knock-off brakes can also be troublesome, as they can malfunction and cause damage to other vehicles and injure pedestrians.

What’s worse, people in the U.S. depend on their cars so much that they will inevitably venture into the bargain bin when it comes to car parts. Recognizing the demand, counterfeiters have picked the American market as a source of steady income. And it’s a high-reward, low-risk scenario that doesn’t typically result in loss of product or imprisonment.

Protecting Yourself from a False Fix

When it comes to making sure that your car is not infiltrated by cheap, dangerous parts, Foucart suggests taking the following measures:

• Only patronize repair and body shops you trust, like our collision centers near Kansas City. We are a reputable source for OEM car parts, and that’s our guarantee.
• Avoid offers for cheap parts and cheap repairs. We often have car part coupons or collision repair deals, but those are updated regularly to give you a good deal, not another headache down the road.
• Approach buying auto parts with caution and scrutiny, especially on the internet from unestablished vendors.

If you think you might have bought a counterfeit part, the best thing to do is to speak with an OEM representative or trusted mechanic with experience. That’s where our McCarthy Collision Centers can help. Offering world-class collision repair in Sedalia, MO and the KC region, our experts will determine if you’ve been the victim of a false car part installation, then make the necessary changes to right the ship. When you need to order an authentic auto part or require collision repair in Kansas City, trust in the McCarthy name.

Find your closest McCarthy auto body shop near Kansas City, Olathe, KS, or Sedalia, MO, and let us work for you.

Sources:

http://americanrecycler.com/8568759/index.php/news/category-news-2/1265-counterfeit-auto-parts-endanger-everyone

http://www.richardscollisioncenter.com/autobodyblog/2016/5/31/rise-in-counterfeit-auto-parts-cause-safety-concerns

http://verifybrand.com/counterfeit-auto-parts-pose-growing-threat/