Original Parts vs. Non-Original Parts

DACIA has lately been confronted to increasing counterfeiting, predominantly targeted on DACIA origin spare parte.

Everything you need to know on counterfeit parts:

1.    Are counterfeit parts always cheaper than Original Parts?

Yes and no: caution is recommended when offered a good price. Counterfeit goods are cheaper for the distribution networks. However, the final price of a counterfeit component can be identical to the price of an Original Part. You can be deceived twice!

2.    Can I buy Original Parts at any Authorized Repairers within the DACIA Network?

Yes. The DACIA network is the only one to guarantee the origin of spare parts for a vehicle of its range.

3.    Is a counterfeit part not packed in a DACIA box?

No, but there can also be certain counterfeit DACIA packs. Learn to recognize the safety items of the original packs (safety labels, markings, holograms) and keep alert as to imitations.

4.    Using a counterfeit component on your vehicle can cause problems?

Yes. Counterfeit parts – and safety counterfeit parts - are not compliant with the carmaker’s technical requirements are a real hazard for drivers, passengers and pedestrians.

5.    Is a counterfeit spare part installed as easily as an Original Part?

No. Installing a counterfeit part can take longer, as non-original parts are not compliant with the carmaker’s technical specifications, which can generate functional and esthetical failures.

6.    Is an Original Part identical to a non-original part? Is the price the only difference?

No. A counterfeit part is not compliant with DACIA’s technical specifications on the design and manufacturing. The quality and the reliability of counterfeit parts are not guaranteed.

What is an original part?

1.    A part manufactured according to the technical specifications imposed by the constructor ;

2.    A part identical to the part originally installed on the vehicle, by a supplier or by the carmaker through its own distribution network, under intellectual property rights (the right on drawings and models, author rights and the brand rights).

Why choose an Original Part?

The Dacia Original Part is designed, developed and manufactured according to the technical specifications imposed by the carmaker; such specifications apply highly rigorous standards on choice of materials, shape, assembly, welding points, dimensions, connections), according to European norms. Consequently, original parts ensure a high level of safety, quality, reparability, and environment protection.

Using counterfeit parts decreases the value of the vehicle, and the carmaker’s guarantee is no longer applicable to such counterfeit parts, which implicitly decreases the car’s origin capital.

What is spare part counterfeiting?

-    reproduction, whether by copy or imitation, of a spare part;

-    use of a sign, identical or similar to the brand owned by a person on such part.

-    selling such a part in one of the above situations,

and thus deceiving customers as to the origin, the quality, the performances and the reliability of such part.

Counterfeting car spare parts

Counterfeit parts are:

- all parts visible on a car (radiator grille, bonnet, bumper) wearing the logo according to brand rights.

- all parts, if the carmaker’s brand appears on the product, on the package or on the label without the carmaker’s agreement, according to the right on the brand.

How to differentiate “true” from “false”,or the original from the copy

All Dacia and Renault original parts are marked with the carmaker’s brand or logo and a security label reading “Original Part”.

The security label has been introduced by Dacia since 2001 and by Renault since 2002. One of the purposes was to easily identify illegal copies of labels.

The main identification elements of a Dacia security label are its hologram, reading “Dacia” and “Original Spare Part”, and its single traceability code. The variable ink reading “Pièce d’Origine” and its single traceability number identifies Renault security labels.

Risks of using counterfeit spare parts

→ Can harm reliability: non-original parts are not compliant with the technical standards of the original parts and do not undergo compliance and quality tests run by the carmaker.

→ Can generate serious consequences, in terms of road and on-board safety:  given the poor quality of materials, counterfeit parts will not have the same behaviour on impact as the original parts: counterfeit bonnet used on a Renault vehicle and double breaking distance with counterfeit break pads.

Where do counterfeit come from?

Most counterfeit parts come from non-European countries. Asia (China, Taiwan) is the main manufacturer of counterfeit spare parts, followed by countries around the Mediterranean Sea (Morocco, Tunis, Turkey) and South Europe (Italy, Spain, Portugal). In 1994, over 95%  of spare parts in France had been manufactured in Europe.

Impact of counterfeiting on the automotive market

Estimated losses amount to around 12 billion euros worldwide, according to an OCDE survey.  Currently, counterfeiting stands for 5 to 10% of European spare parts sales.

More on counterfeiting  www.stoppirateria.ro