Drivers warned against fake replacement car parts sold online
Drivers have been warned against buying fake replacement car parts from Facebook Marketplace.
Scrap Car Comparison has identified a sharp rise in customers whose repairs have failed after sourcing replacement parts themselves, with many then facing an even larger repair bill.
This comes after analysis revealed a 40% annual increase in Google searches for ‘find used auto parts,’ with motorists seeking to cut costs by carrying out repairs at home.
Matt Clamp, car scrappage expert at Scrap Car Comparison, said: “Cheaper doesn’t mean better. When you’re faced with fixing your car, it’s easy to look for the cheapest part online to keep the cost down.
“But we see customers who have sourced their own parts, paid to have the work done and then had the same problem shortly afterwards. Replacement turbos are something we see a lot of, often bought through eBay or Facebook Marketplace.
“You might think you’re saving money on the part, but if it fails you’ve got to pay to put it right. That can mean another part, another fitting bill and potentially more repairs if it’’s damaged something else.
“That’s when we see owners deciding to scrap the car. It might still be possible to fix it, but financially it just doesn’t make sense anymore. What started as an attempt to save money on a part can end up costing you the car.”
He added: “If you’re buying through Facebook Marketplace, check who you’re dealing with before paying. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.”
