With the cost of living increasing, we understand that if your vehicle needs a repair, it can be challenging on the bank account, and you may be tempted to turn to online deals to reduce your parts bill.
At H&L Motors, we always use original manufacturer approved parts. This is the only way to guarantee they are genuine, reputable, of high quality and not faulty, and importantly to ensure you have a warranty if anything should go wrong after your vehicle leaves us.
With the ever-increasing ease of purchasing online you may find you can make a small saving online. But be beware, it could actually cause you more problems and cost in the long run, and it may be more than your wallet that is at stake.
According to a recent government survey (see P35), there is a rising problem of counterfeit vehicle parts online and vehicle owners are therefore being warned of the dangers of buying parts online. The worldwide counterfeit market is thought to run into billions of pounds, with filters, brake pads, lights, wheel rims and airbags found to be among the most-common counterfeited car parts. Officials say such parts put road users at risk from a catastrophic failure of vital car components which may not adhere to safety standards. Essentially you could be jeopardising the safety of you and your passengers.
Buying parts online has become hugely popular, but The Independent Garage Association (IGA) and The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) are among the trade bodies that have previously raised awareness about the risks posed by counterfeit car parts. Trying to identify these counterfeit, poor quality and potentially unsafe parts is hugely challenging as the seller websites are becoming very sophisticated and often appear legitimate. I you are purchasing online you can sometimes spot a few clues such as:
- Very cheap prices
- Typo in the part description
- Generally, if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.
That’s why at H&L Motors we never recommend buying new or second-hand parts online because the only sure way to remain safe from fraudster and poor-quality suppliers is to purchase manufacture approved parts from your trusted garage.
If you would like to know more or have any questions then please do not hesitate to get in touch to talk with one of specialist vehicle technicians at contact@hlmotors.co.uk or by calling 020 8977 5865 .
Published: 22/09/22
Categories: Blog
