Once your car reaches that 100,000-mile mark, it can start falling apart, especially if you haven’t taken measures to regularly care for your vehicle. But hitting this milestone doesn’t mean you have to push your car into the scrapyard. In fact, with proper attention and general auto maintenance, your vehicle can last you another 100k miles. Here are some ways to help you get to the 200k milestone.

1. Replace key parts.

After years upon years and miles upon miles, your car can wear down. It’s natural, and when you reach that 100k-mile mark, it can only benefit you to spend a little money on replacing the parts that most commonly wear out. This includes belts, tires, and brakes. There are others, but these are the most vital. Making sure these are in top condition will keep you driving longer.

2. Regular inspections.

These include inspections done in your own garage and at a professional repair shop. If you are handy, check things like tire pressure, shocks, hoses, clamps, and U-joints. Replace them if you notice signs of damage, or visit your trusted mechanic for advice and to order parts.

3. Pay attention.

When you drive the same car for years, you become attuned to the sound and feel of it. So, when you’re driving your old car, make sure to listen carefully. If something sounds strange or you notice a rattling that wasn’t there before, have it checked out before it gets worse. Early preventative actions put less stress on your vehicle, making it last longer.

4. Drive smart.

Driving aggressively or irresponsibly isn’t just dangerous for you and other drivers, but it also puts needless strain on your vehicle. By driving gently and treating your brakes well, you can extend its mileage and make your trips more efficient on gas.

5. Visit your trusted auto repair or auto body shop.

You may know your car like the back of your hand, but nothing beats a professional’s opinion. Regular full-car inspections, oil changes, and scratch/dent/damage repairs are worth the expense and will save you money in the long run.

Our McCarthy Collision Centers have been reliably serving Kansas City drivers for years. If you need help after a collision or simply want to fix up minor dings, contact us at 800-NEW-AGAIN or visit one of our five collision centers near Kansas City. We offer auto body services such as airbag replacements, suspension repairs, and auto glass installations, allowing you to enjoy 100,000 more miles in your vehicle.

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/