The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) has warned consumers to be wary of counterfeit spark plugs that could potentially destroy engines.
The FCAI says spark plugs have reached the Australian market in recent weeks forged with Honda, Nissan, Mazda and Toyota branding, and completed with what looks to be legitimate packaging.
The spark plugs were discovered on online trading platforms, with 60 per cent of hundreds of examples verified as frauds “passing off low quality materials and inferior construction as genuine parts”.
In a statement, the FCAI warned the illegal parts, which are barely distinguishable to the naked eye against genuine spark plugs, could cause significant damage to an engine.
“The low-quality counterfeits could cost drivers thousands in engine repair costs,” a statement read.
“With poor ignition causing poor fuel economy and poor engine start up, the fake spark plugs’ low grade composition causes them to overheat quickly. Drivers will notice a major drop in engine power, particularly under heavy acceleration or load. If the fake spark plugs continue to overheat, they will melt and cause extreme engine damage.”
Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) Chief Executive Tony Weber said anyone purchasing parts outside the dealer network was at risk.
“The best way to avoid a fake? Make certain your parts are purchased from the authorised dealer network,” Mr Weber said.
“We have experts examining the packaging and spark plugs and even they can barely tell the difference. You won’t know it’s a fake, until it’s too late.”
The discovery of the fraudulent parts joins other counterfeit items including oil filters that do not filter oil, wheels that shatter in low speed pothole impacts, brake components containing asbestos and in one case, brake pads made of compressed grass clippings
Automotive stakeholders are currently working with online trading platforms to remove listings and ban sellers of the illegal counterfeits from their sites.