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IGA shares advice in government counterfeit car parts campaign

IGA 30/07/2018

The Independent Garage Association (IGA) is working with the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) to raise awareness about the risks of counterfeit car parts.

The campaign explains the full scale of the problem across the motor industry and offers advice to consumers on how to identify fake vehicle parts, tips for buying parts online and how to report counterfeit goods.

More and more customers ask garages to fit parts they have supplied themselves which presents problems for both the garage and the consumer. Most garages wisely refuse to fit parts supplied by consumers, as the part being fake is just one of a number of issues which present problems for both parties.  

Consumer supplied parts may not be the correct fitment for the car, some internet sourced parts can be of low quality and there are potentially complex warranty issues if the part fails – especially where provenance is difficult to establish.

Stuart James, IGA Director, comments: “Although we all like to save money, supplying your own parts to service or repair your car is a false economy. Let your garage deal with the job from start to finish. You and your car are protected, the risk of delay or inconvenience is reduced and most importantly, the safety of you, your passengers and other road users is not put at risk.”

Click here to read the new guidance available on fake vehicle parts.

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Notes to editors:

Stuart James, IGA Director, is available to interview.

 The Independent Garage Association is the largest and most prominent trade body in the independent garage sector, representing the industry in legislative and regulatory matters arising in UK and EU Government, as well as offering advice, information and services to members which ensure that the independent service and repair sector can thrive.

About the RMI

The Retail Motor Industry represents the interests of operators in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man providing sales and services to motorists and businesses. The RMI has a formal association with the independent Scottish Motor Trade Association which represents the retail motor industry in Scotland.