NI probe exposes risks of ‘cheap’ car parts

A leading car industry body has claimed that lives are being put at risk in Northern Ireland because of the widespread use of cheap, replica car parts.

A major study into the use of ‘Non-Original Equipment Manufacturer’ or ‘Non-OEM’ car parts has concluded that they may not perform as well as manufacturer-approved parts if the vehicle is involved in an accident.

The Northern Ireland Bodyshop Alliance (NIBA), which commissioned the independent report, says it has become common practice for insurance firms to order garages to replace damaged vehicle body parts with replica parts in a bid to cut costs.

NIBA said that many consumers simply assume that the parts fitted in the aftermath of a collision will be genuine but that is often not the case. It is campaigning to make consumers aware of the practice and bring it to an end.

The independent research compared, tested and analysed genuine, or manufacturer-approved, parts and the non-genuine replica parts which are commonly installed in vehicles in Northern Ireland without the owner’s knowledge or consent.

The parts used – in this instance, body panels – were subjected to rigorous mechanical, chemical and microscopic testing to determine the findings. In each of the various parts tested, which were installed in a Ford Focus, a Volkswagen Golf and a Peugeot 206, the differences between the performance of genuine and non-genuine parts were stark.

The report concluded that real differences existed between the genuine and non-genuine panels tested which could affect how well they fitted and which could reduce their performance in an ‘impact’ situation.

Engineers who undertook the study were also wary about the use of several non-genuine panels in one repair which they said could cause the vehicle to under perform, corrode more quickly and cause more risks when fitted together.

NIBA Chair, Richard Hastings, said: “The study highlights the real dangers involved for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists in Northern Ireland, where many car owners will no doubt be shocked to learn that insurance companies are trying to cut costs by having non-genuine parts fitted rather than the manufacturer’s parts after they have been involved in a collision.

“This report underlines our assertion that the practice, which can compromise the cars safety integrity, is completely flawed. Drivers who have been unfortunate to have been involved in a collision – no matter who is at fault – should also be concerned that the practice can often affect the vehicle resale value and limit or invalidate the car’s warranty.”

The NIBA also claims that some of the biggest car manufacturers are damning of insurance companies cost-cutting on car repairs which they say may compromise car safety.

“Some insurance companies may say that using non-genuine parts allows them to offer lower policy prices. However, any small savings could be lost thanks to the non-genuine parts devaluing the overall price of your car and increasing the bill for future repairs because they don’t provide adequate structural integrity in an accident,” NIBA said.