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Honda Counterfeit Parts Problem
There’s no doubt about it that all of us are spending a lot more money online for the sake of convenience and price comparison shopping. And, we do so because one of the biggest perks of it is that if we are not happy with the purchase for whatever reason, it’s a simple return/refund service that makes Amazon what Amazon is today.
And sometimes, parts are so hard to find that locating what you need online might be your only recourse when a particular part is needed right away.
Related Article: How Auto Parts Hoarding for Toyota and Other Cars Could Become a Thing in 2022
HOWEVER, and this is a big however to underscore the importance of this consideration, is this really a smart buying decision when it comes to auto parts? Primarily because, what if the part fails and damages your engine sometime after installation? Seeking recompense is likely to be a lost cause.
The motivation for this topic comes from a recent Eric the Car Guy YouTube episode where Eric discovers only after his car broke down on the highway, did he realize that the problem was due to a counterfeit water pump/ timing assembly he bought online through Amazon that he believed was of OEM origin.
The kicker is that despite his experience and familiarity with Honda auto parts, the packaging and parts looked so much like the real thing that even he thought what he ordered was the real deal at a good price.
As it turns out, it’s not just major auto parts from Honda that are being counterfeited, but it also appears to be true for other makes of cars and even common maintenance items like sparks plugs as you will see in the video comments from the video posted below.
Related Article: Common Car Maintenance Mistake Owners Make When Diagnosing Their Car’s Engine Problems
Amazon Car Parts Warning
That said, here is the video in its entirety where Eric discusses what happened and his advice to car owners of not just Honda, but other makes as well when it comes to buying auto parts. In it he will also give his advice on his recommended aftermarket parts supplier that will help you avoid buying a counterfeit part online.
Counterfeit Parts!
And finally…
At risk of sounding like a cliché, the take home message here is that if you see a price---for any auto parts regardless of what the ad claims or who the vendor states they are online---that seems too good to be true…it most likely is. Stick with OEM parts whenever possible and even then, be sure to obtain the parts from a reputable dealer who can spot the fakes from the real thing and will guarantee the part(s) sold.
For additional articles about car parts, here are two selected articles for your education and enjoyment: “Everything You Need to Know About Saving Money Buying Toyota and Lexus Parts” and “Toyota Maintenance Non-OEM Parts Warning.”
COMING UP NEXT: Ford BlueCruise Comparison Discussion to Tesla Autopilot and GM Super Cruise by Consumer Reports
Timothy Boyer is Torque News Tesla and EV reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites for daily Tesla and electric vehicle news.
Image Source: Pixabay
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Comments
That's one set of parts I
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That's one set of parts I would not skimp on. My experienced mechanic and spoke about this topic and buys aftermarket parts (like those the guy in the video mentions) and has come to trust.
It also makes you wonder just
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In reply to That's one set of parts I by John Goreham
It also makes you wonder just how often the mechanics who service many cars will go ahead and use cheaper bogus parts to increase their profit margin. I know some offer a guarantee with the parts they use, but it may still be the owner who has to go after the supplier---especially if the part fails months later and could be difficult to prove let alone accurately diagnose exactly what happened and why. The world we live in. Thanks for the input---much appreciated.
Don't blame the mechanics for
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Don't blame the mechanics for putting cheap aftermarket parts on, blame your insurance company adjuster for their profit margin policies. Always get it in writing from your insurance adjuster that they are using OEM parts to fix your vehicle.