How to distinguish original spare parts from non-original ones
Content
- various working fluids;
- oil and air filters;
- candles;
- accumulators;
- fuel pumps;
- pads and other parts of the brake system;
- shock absorbers and other suspension parts;
- light bulbs, switches, generators and other electrics;
- small pieces of rubber.
Original parts and analogues
They are produced by automobile manufacturers, and more often by their order - by partner enterprises.
Sold only from authorized dealers. It is these parts that are installed in branded service centers during warranty service. Moreover, the client may be deprived of the guarantee for the car if it is found to have installed non-original spare parts.
A few years after the start of mass production of a particular brand of car, the manufacturer provides its suppliers with a license to produce parts that were used in assembly on the assembly line, but already under its own brand. The price of licensed products is usually slightly lower than the original, but this does not affect its quality.
Spare parts from alternative manufacturers
There are many factories in the world that produce spare parts of their own modification. However, they do not always have an official license. The dimensions and appearance of the parts are copied, the rest is finalized by the manufacturer.
The products of such firms are usually quite high quality, although there is also a frank marriage. They give their guarantee and put their own marking.
In most cases, it is possible to reveal the real level of product quality of such manufacturers only experimentally, having tried it in practice. It is not certain that the experiment will be successful. If you don’t want to take risks, on the Internet you can get comprehensive information from those who have already tried the product on their car.
Spare parts from packers
There are also companies that buy products from various manufacturers, repackage them and sell them under their own brand. They have their own quality control and they try to avoid obvious marriage so as not to spoil the brand's reputation.
Outright fakes
The counterfeit is made by an anonymous manufacturer and mimics the products of a well-known brand that is trusted. The activities of such firms are detrimental to all market participants. But it is most dangerous for the end buyer. To keep costs as low as possible, cheap materials and equipment are used in the production of fakes. The overall quality of workmanship and workmanship is low. And the workers who work in these factories often do not have sufficient qualifications.
In addition, fake manufacturers do not need to spend money on promoting their brand. Therefore, the price of such products can be a set of times lower than that of the original. However, it is worth remembering that momentary savings will eventually lead to costly repairs.
The share of counterfeit products on the market is very high. By some estimates, counterfeit parts make up at least one-third of all parts sold. The lion's share of counterfeit comes from China, fakes are also made in Turkey, Russia and Ukraine.
The quality of the imitation is so high that even an experienced trader will not immediately distinguish a fake from the original.
What is the danger of using counterfeit parts
Fakes not only quickly break down themselves, but also contribute to the wear of other parts and components of the machine. In some cases, a poor-quality part causes accidents. And if the accident occurred due to a technical breakdown of the car, then according to the rules of the road, the driver himself is responsible.
First of all, consumables are faked. Therefore, when purchasing these parts, you need to be especially careful. These include:
Oil
This is the leader in falsification. It is very easy to fake it, and it is almost impossible to distinguish an original from a fake, except perhaps by smell. The parameters of fake oil usually do not meet the technical requirements at all. And the result may be an overhaul of the internal combustion engine.
filters
It is very difficult to distinguish a fake filter from the original in appearance. In fact, they differ in the quality of the filter material. As a result, a fake filter will either not retain dirt or will not pass oil well. The situation is similar with air filters.
Candles
Poor quality spark plugs contribute to the failure of the ignition system and increase fuel consumption. Therefore, cheap fake candles will eventually result in increased spending on gasoline.
Brake pads
Cheap pads do not last long and at the same time contribute to accelerated wear of the brake disc, the cost of which is far from cheap.
Shock absorbers
The working life of the original shock absorbers is from two to four years. Fake ones will last at most a year and at the same time will have a negative impact on the car's handling and braking distance.
Accumulators
Counterfeit batteries, as a rule, have a capacity significantly lower than the declared one, and the service life is much shorter than that of the original ones.
How to protect yourself from buying a fake
Packaging
Legitimate products are usually supplied in thick cardboard boxes with the brand logo and have special protection. Be sure to indicate the car models for which the part is intended. The packaging has a hologram and a part code of 10 or 12 digits. There may also be a QR code.
The discrepancy between the design of the packaging and the original style of the manufacturer should alert you. Fakes are characterized by different colors and fonts compared to the original, the presence of errors in the inscriptions, the poor quality of printing and cardboard, atypical markings, and the absence of protective components (holograms, stickers, etc.).
It happens that the seller can offer goods without a cardboard box, referring to the fact that it fell into disrepair during transportation. Most likely in this situation they are trying to foist a fake on you. Do not agree, even if you are offered a discount.
It happens that fake spare parts are placed in a branded box with original products. Therefore, carefully inspect the item before buying.
Visual inspection of the part
A fake can be detected by obvious signs of poor workmanship - burrs, chips, cracks, clumsy welds, improper surface treatment, the smell of cheap plastic.
You should also pay attention to the inscriptions applied to the part. Original spare parts or analogues are marked with a serial number indicating the country in which they are produced. On a fake, this will be absent.
Place of purchase and price
Counterfeits are sold mainly through bazaars and small car dealerships. Therefore, it is better not to rely on market traders, but go straight to an authorized dealer.
Too low a price should not please you. It's not that you got a generous seller, but that it's a fake in front of you.
All auto parts that directly or indirectly affect safety are subject to mandatory certification by UkrSepro. All sellers selling legitimate products have copies of certificates. When buying a spare part, do not hesitate to ask for the appropriate certificate. If you are refused, it is better to look for another seller.
