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London – Tires along with other safety-critical items such as wheels, airbags and brakes are among the most commonly-purchased fake items, according to a campaign launched by the UK’s Intellectual Property Office (IPO).

Developed in partnership with the motoring industry, the ‘Fake Always Breaks’ campaign is intended to warn consumers and the motor trade that counterfeits are more likely to fail and endanger road users.

The campaign highlights how counterfeit vehicle parts are not subject to the same rigorous testing as legitimate products and offers advice on how to spot and report a fake product.

In a survey conducted for the IPO, one in six motorists who responded said they had bought a counterfeit part in the past 12 months alone, with 58% admitting that they did so knowing  the part was counterfeit.

Of those who admitted buying counterfeit parts: 25% bought fake car batteries; 23% fake tires/wheels; 19%, windscreen wipers; 14%, airbags; and 12%, brake pads or discs, the IPO reported 21 Oct.

The survey also found that getting parts for a lower price was a significant factor among those intentionally buying a fake part, with 31% citing cost savings as a reason.

Meanwhile, 34% of motorists who admitted to buying fake parts said they did so because they felt there was no discernible difference in appearance.

Meanwhile, 45% who bought a fake that they thought was genuine, found out through their garage after the part was faulty.

Counterfeit vehicle parts harm legitimate traders while enriching criminals and can lead to life-endangering consequences for road users, said Miles Rees, IPO deputy director of enforcement.

“Such illicit goods are not subject to safety tests, and are likely to be made using vastly inferior materials, putting them at increased risk of failure, with potentially devastating results,” warned Rees.