Fake car parts is a rising problem.
People going to auto mechanics to have their cars repaired typically believe the parts they’re getting are legal. Of course, they usually are. However, there is a market for fraudulent vehicle parts, and border agents have recently stopped a high volume of fraudulent gas engines from entering the country. Still, there are probably others that have slipped through the cracks.
Auto mechanics installing car parts may not know when they’re not on the up-and-up
Everyone knows that auto mechanics rely on getting vehicle parts from various businesses that sell them. According to WJON, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency recently stopped $1.34 worth of fraudulent gas engines from entering the country. The officers say there were 1,134 engines on about 42 pallets, each containing 27 engines.
These engines that would have ended up in the hands of auto mechanics were coming from China. They had actually arrived at the Minneapolis-St. Paul’s Express Consignment facility before being discovered and intercepted. So, what makes these gas engines fraudulent? The report says they lacked the proper documentation. They are now in the hands of Homeland Security.
It’s also important to note that a recent survey from the European Union Intellectual Property Office found that 94% of car parts coming in from China are fraudulent. Of course, fake car parts pose serious risks for drivers when it comes to safety and reliability. Still, it’s hard not to wonder how many vehicles today have parts that haven’t been verified or properly tested. Check out this recent article about fake car inspection stickers recently being intercepted.
