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VW UK warning over counterfeit brake pads

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Volkswagen Group UK issues warning over potentially dangerous counterfeit brake pads

 

Vehicle repairers, retailers and consumers are being warned to be extremely vigilant when purchasing car parts following a recent seizure of a quantity of unsafe counterfeit brake pads by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment's Trading Standards Service and An Garda Síochana.

 

The counterfeit brake pads that are branded as Volkswagen Genuine Parts were seized at properties in Belfast, Dublin, Galway, Mayo, Donegal and Armagh.

 

An examination of the brake pads revealed that the potentially dangerous counterfeit parts failed to meet the required braking friction levels and were only held together with glue. The test demonstrated that the friction material can disconnect from the metal backing plate which can then cause subsurface corrosion or frost shattering. Worst case the friction material could completely fall off the backing plate. The test concluded that the counterfeit parts would not obtain 'R90 approval' - the European legal standard for brake pads. In elements of the testing the counterfeit parts were found to have 30% lower braking efficiency than the Volkswagen Genuine Part.

 

Genuine parts guarantee performance, quality and peace of mind. Consumers should use reputable dealers and repairers, and if they are concerned should ask that only Genuine Parts are fitted.

 

If a retailer, car-repairer or consumer has purchased Volkswagen Group Branded brake pads and they are concerned, they can look out for the following tell-tale signs:

 

The counterfeit parts box label indicates that the product is a 'Wasserpumpe' and not brake pads. Wasserpumpe is German for water pump.

Printing error on counterfeit parts box reads 'Fonnel Q', but should read 'Formel Q'.

The backing plate of the counterfeit brake pads is engraved with 'TAXTE' or 'TEXTA', whereas the genuine part is engraved with 'TEXTAR'.

No fitting instructions were included in the box.

The tamper proof seal on the box is missing.

The counterfeit parts do not have a batch code or production date.

The performance of the counterfeit product is significantly lower than the genuine brake pads.

Anyone who suspects they have purchased or have been offered counterfeit brake pads in England, Scotland and Wales should report the matter to Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or log onto http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk For Northern Ireland contact the Consumerline on 0300 123 62 62 / 028 9025 3900 or log onto http://www.consumerline.org.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8879085.stm

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Ouch. Thanks.

Glad to know we have done both 8v recently and the VRs don't wear through stuff very quickly!

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Interesting... wonder if this is related to my bad brakes? Got the pads recently when I put the car back on the road & I think I remember the brakes being better before I sorn'd it :shrug:

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The bloody chinese are copying everything at the moment. Did anyone see "Fake Britain" a few weeks ago? It's getting out of control. We all like a bargain, but RCDs that catch fire instead of cutting power to the fuseboard in your house? :shock: Not to mention the fake console charger that blew up and killed a child.

 

There are fake Walbro pumps and fake Bosch 044s doing the rounds aswell...

 

http://www.fuel-pumps.net/walbro-forgeries.html

 

Be vigilant people.... if you suspect a part is a fake, take it back immediately. You can generally tell as the quality is extremely poor in many cases and pumps like the Bosch 044 are made in the Czech Republic, *NOT* Germany as is stamped on the fake!

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A fake rolex is one thing, but poor quality jewellery doesn't directly lead you to a fatal car accident.

Saw a program a few years back about cheap pattern car parts in general, wishbones made out of really thin cheap steel etc, I'm surprised there haven't been any high profile cases of car parts leading to accidents, there must be a lot sub-standard stuff about - half of a couple of motor factors warehouses I know of for a start :lol:

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Saw a program a few years back about cheap pattern car parts in general, wishbones made out of really thin cheap steel etc, there must be a lot sub-standard stuff about - half of a couple of motor factors warehouses I know of for a start :lol:

 

You know GSF parts so well :lol:

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The backing plate of the counterfeit brake pads is engraved with 'TAXTE' or 'TEXTA', whereas the genuine part is engraved with 'TEXTAR'.

 

Pagid are another genuine supplier. No doubt spelt "Badgid" or something by these counterfeiters.

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Saw a program a few years back about cheap pattern car parts in general, wishbones made out of really thin cheap steel etc, there must be a lot sub-standard stuff about - half of a couple of motor factors warehouses I know of for a start :lol:

 

You know GSF parts so well :lol:

 

I stopped buying stuff from GSF a long time ago for this very reason. I don't necessarily need genuine parts every time, but some of the cheap chinese cack that GSF sell are not only inferior quality but in my view can be downright dangerous on a performance car. The final straw was a pair of front bearings I bought & had fitted in the middle of 2009. They lasted only 10,000 and 11,500 miles respectively which is just disgraceful. Not only that but if one of those things collapses at high speed then it's curtains. The second bearing failed whilst I was in Scotland and I had to nurse it 600 miles home.

 

Interestingly my VW specialist has also stopped using GSF for the same reason. They mostly source from TPS now as you get genuine parts every time.

 

To to the original point I was going to say that if VW didn't put such ridiculous mark up on thier genuine parts there would be a much smaller market for counterfeits. The difference between the prices at TPS and VW for genuine parts exposes the outrageous profits VW try to extort from thier customers. The counterfeiters are trying to rip people off sure, but Volkswagen aren't exactly far behind them IMHO.

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