Counterfeit parts can kill – Mercedes

Fitting counterfeit cars parts may be seen as a way of cutting corners and saving money on repairs – but it could directly lead to loss of life in a subsequent accident, says a leading New Zealand new vehicle distributor. John Oxley reports.

A Mercedes-Benz spokesman has hit out at insurers who push panel beaters to fit counterfeit parts – and he says those who authorise or fit these parts could have blood on their hands if someone is hurt in an accident.

Dave McCarthy, senior manager public relations, product and corporate communications at MercedesBenz in Australia and New Zealand, told me: “We do not in any way support the fitment of non-genuine parts to crash-damaged vehicles.

“Our genuine parts are exhaustively designed and tested to perform in a crash situation exactly the same as when a vehicle left the factory. Their interaction with our safety systems is a complex situation that ONLY the genuine part can perform to our stringent standards.”

Asked to define a counterfeit part, he replied: “If it is not MB boxed, or was not produced by our OEM suppliers, then it is counterfeit.”

He conceded that it was not always possible to be 100 percent sure with non-Mercedes-Benz parts as counterfeit parts makers may have copied more than the actual design of the part; even the box itself.

I asked him what sort of parts we are talking about here – crash parts (i.e. body panels) or suspension, brakes, steering etc.

“Basically, in crash repair situations, any parts that play a role in the structural and or safety of the vehicle. We do not accept the use of any non-genuine parts in our vehicles in any situations, including crash repairs,” he said.

He added that the safety risk is very real, and it is simply an unnecessary risk that cannot be accepted.

“There needs to be much greater vigilance and regulation around this serious issue,” he said.

“We are working with insurance companies to try and increase the use of genuine parts, and we are very positive about the response we are getting, even though it is not at the level we believed it should be at.”

Dave compared a genuine bonnet from a Mercedes-Benz E-Class and a non-genuine bonnet that is being widely used by the crash repair industry under direct instructions from a very large number of insurance companies

The counterfeit bonnet weighs 28kg and is made of steel, as opposed to the genuine bonnet which weighs 13kg, and is made of aluminium. The counterfeit bonnet has a “warning” sticker affixed. It would not crumple or deploy correctly (if at all), and the absorption of energy ( say a pedestrian’s head) would not be at the level of the genuine bonnet.

“If this bonnet is fitted, then the result could mean there could be blood on the hands of whoever authorised or fitted such a part,“he said.

“We design a vehicle to be able in primary and secondary safety to protect the occupant and pedestrians, but the repair practices that are taking place, and the parts that are being used, are putting people›s lives at risk. I have no doubt about that.”

He added that fitting counterfeit parts in one area could also affect other parts of the car.

“It could have an adverse effect on crumple rates and the deployment of other safety equipment,” he said.

I asked: “What about something like windscreen adhesive? Would the use of the wrong material during a repair compromise the safety of the vehicle?”

“Yes absolutely,” he replied, “the windscreen and its fitment and structural integrity, and the role it plays in the vehicle’s passenger cell, is directly linked to the adhesive.”

“What about counterfeit or non-genuine replacement lights,” I asked. “Can these affect safety too, and how?”

His reply: “Yes, the original lights are designed specifically to light the road and interact with the safety equipment of our cars. They are complex units that have complex lighting algorithims that interact with the vehicle’s safety systems in a way that nongenuine do not.

He conceded that Mercedes-Benz was naturally concerned about the effect the use of counterfeit parts was having on its genuine parts business.

“But our overriding concern is the safety of our customers before, during and after an accident,” he said.

“Our business is robust as our customers expect a vehicle to be just as safe after an accident repair as it was before. Non-genuine parts absolutely cannot ensure or provide this piece of mind.

He added that if insurance companies continued to demand the use of non-genuine parts in repairs, they need to demonstrate that non-genuine parts will perform at the same level as the genuine parts.

“We exhaustively test, design, and manufacture, our parts to stringent standards to meet the regulatory tests. We are not aware of any such testing regime being carried out on non-genuine parts by the industry.

“Our motto is the best or nothing.

“We do not compromise on our customers’ and other road users’ safety. With genuine parts fitted correctly we 100 percent stand by our vehicles’ safety performance after an accident repair. It will perform exactly the same as when it left our factory.

“A car must be repaired not just to look good, but to be ready for the next collision. Anything less is an unacceptable risk.”

To those fitting or authorising the fitment of nongenuine parts he asks the question: “Are you prepared to get in a car that has been repaired with non-genuine parts and feel 100 percent assured it will protect you in a collision?

“A vehicle’s compliance with various design rules and regulations is certified by us. The OEM parts will ensure this continues after a repair. Non-genuine parts are not part of this certification.”

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