Beware of what auto parts you buy, they my be cheap junk, RISK. Even if they are three times cheaper, forgeries have no quality.

The use of non-compliant spare parts can pose serious life-threatening both the drivers and to other road users. So, be careful where you buy the products!

The officials of Renault, counterfeit spare parts for cars produced by Renault-Nissan is about 10% of turnover in this segment of the automotive group in the local market. The most common are body parts, brake and steering systems as well as oil filters.

How to recognize counterfeit parts? “On original piece, the unique number is embossed, while on the counterfeit product, the code is printed or non-existent. However, hologram labels counterfeit components appear in many colors, while the original label logo highlights Dacia blue, “he said yesterday, the director of quality and service of Renault, Jean Francois Martin.

Most counterfeit parts come from China, but also in countries like Turkey or Bulgaria, and their price is two to three times lower.

Risk of accidents

Michael Dogărescu, director with the Romanian Auto Registry (RAR), told us that the market for counterfeit parts is now incomparably lower than the years 1995-1998, the percentage rises to about 20%.

According to Dogărescu, pieces of contraband are generally those with high turnover on the local market especially for Dacia cars and the type – brake pads, filters, bearings and spark plugs.

RAR official said that counterfeit products are sold mainly in fairs, in shops in rural marginal neighborhoods or in small family workshops.

According to him, counterfeit parts have the same price as the original parts, for substitute products brand. Not in the “Security”. Dogărescu points out that if the plate is forged brake, braking distance can be doubled.

On the other hand, a major component of auto parts market is the one product that are not counterfeit, but no original so called by that the “aftermarket”.

Aftermarket components, 60% of consumption

“They are made by various manufacturers under license, but they can better or worse. They can be cheap merchandise and if we refer, for example, the bumper can be made from a very poor quality plastic, which breaks immediately, “told us Cristian Muntean, Director Association of Independent Car Service Companies (ASSA ).

He noted that approximately 60% of car parts in cars assembled in Romania are in this category. “In recent years, the number of repair parts that are not original skyrocketed,” said Muntean.

The cost of such pieces  half compared to that of original products, and some insurance companies stimulates repair parts aftermarket, he said.

Dacia representatives say that the parts “aftermarket” have an equivalent quality of the home, but their life may be less.

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