The incidence of numerous counterfeit car parts flooding the
market has become a serious problem in recent years. Counterfeit or imitation
car parts typically aren’t very easy to spot because counterfeit part makers
work long and hard to fool consumers. This makes it difficult to avoid them.
However, there are a couple of things you can keep in mind to help you, at least
to a reasonable extent, identify these fake car parts. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency
shares 5 of these things to help you identify and avoid counterfeit car parts.
Extremely
Large Difference in Prices
Sometimes
the cheapest deal isn’t always the best, especially when buying car parts. If
you do your research and when in the market for parts you are given a price
that is outrageously low, the car part is most likely fake. You should be
suspicious.
Buy
Your Parts from Authorized Dealers and Retailers
This
might be a more expensive option but in the long run, it’s worth it. Most of us
already know this but we still manage the cheap fake parts because they get our
cars moving. However, though these fake parts temporarily fix the problem, they
also cause bigger problems in the meantime. These fake parts are not built to
your car’s specification, so they tend to lead to mechanical problems, system
breakdowns and safety problems. Not to mention the fact that you still end up
spending a fortune on them, because they don’t last long and need to be
constantly replaced. It’s
better to set your car aside while you save up for the original part
or rework or fix the faulty part (if it can be fixed) rather than opting for
cheap fake parts. However, avoid these ‘salvage parts’ for risky parts like
distributor, alternator or brakes.
Check
for Distinct Marks
In
an attempt to check the activities of counterfeit part producers, some brands
have now started affixing distinct marks on their car parts. This mark will
assist you in distinguishing genuine products from counterfeit products. You
can search online for information on these distinct marks or ask authorized
dealers and retailers about it.
Inspect
the Packaging
If
the packaging appears flimsy and of a low quality, if it lacks a brand name or
logo, has graphics or a name similar to but not the exact name of the original
manufacturers you’re used to seeing, it’s most likely fake. Counterfeiters
often try as much as possible to use the colours, artwork and type fonts
similar to the original packing, but there would always be slight variations to
give them away once they are properly inspected.
Get
a Trustworthy Mechanic
Most
times we tend not to buy these parts ourselves. Our mechanics handle the whole
thing, we only give them money. Typically, it’s advisable that you are as
involved as possible in the servicing or repair process of your car and if
possible go along with these mechanics to purchase the parts so you can monitor
their activities. However, this is not always possible, so you need to ask
around, search diligently and find a mechanic you can trust, not a mechanic
that will charge you for the price of the original part and then buy the fake
part and pocket the leftover cash. Get a trustworthy mechanic who knows what
he’s doing and is unlikely to extort you with fake parts.
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