The Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi (ADDED) has confiscated 10,500 counterfeit auto spare parts following a raid at one of Al Ain’s residential areas. The raid was made after frequent complaints were received from consumers about selling and distribution of counterfeit auto spare parts in the area. The trading of counterfeit auto spare parts has become a leading global concern and it is not just the consumers who are at the receiving end of these frauds, but the automotive brands that produce genuine auto spare parts are also suffering badly at the hands of fraudsters.
How Fraudsters Sell Fake Auto Spare Parts?
There are a number of ways through which fraudsters can sell fake auto spare parts. They can sell the fake auto spare parts in the mainstream markets by wrongfully branding them as genuine parts. These fraudsters also buy damaged vehicles and non-runners at cheap rates from the market and fit these vehicles with counterfeit auto spare parts to sell them to private car buyers at an attractive price. Buying such a car leads to hefty monetary losses as the counterfeit parts may start to show problems or stop working after few weeks if not days of car purchase.
Fraudsters sell these fake auto spare parts as genuine parts and cunningly target vulnerable car buyers and retailers in the market. These fake auto spare parts can work effectively for a short duration and can be easily made to look like genuine parts to deceive car buyers for whom it is almost impossible to judge the authenticity of these parts.
Also read: A Car Scam worth AED 2.3 Billion Exposed by Abu Dhabi Police
How do the Fraudsters Sell Cars with Fake Auto Spare Parts?
Fraudsters use classified websites as a primary source to sell cars that are fitted with counterfeit auto spare parts as classified websites do not ensure the quality of car being sold or purchased through their website. Car parts like headlights, tyres, seats and many mechanical parts can be easily counterfeited and cars with such parts can be sold through classified websites as there is no mechanism for the inspection of cars sold through these platforms.
Classified websites don’t govern the whole process of car selling and buying so it allows the fraudsters an easy space to target inexperienced car buyers. All classified websites use a disclaimer according to which, these websites will not be responsible for any product sold or purchased through these websites, hence buying a car through classifieds is always an unreliable option.
Fraudsters can operate as Private Dealers!
You can also find fraudsters working as private dealers, looking to target unsuspecting car sellers whom they can easily trap to sell a vehicle fitted with counterfeit auto spare parts. As these auto spare parts look like genuine ones and can perform well for a short period, it is extremely difficult for an inexperienced car buyer to distinguish between fake and genuine car parts.
Buying a car from such fraudsters can also result in legal actions taken against the buyers because fraudsters don’t complete legal requirements for transfer of the vehicle in the buyer’s name as they originally operate an illegal business. Fraudsters can also sell vehicles to car buyers, which were involved in criminal activities. If you buy such a car, you can be investigated by law enforcement authorities and that can further lead to other legal actions. This is the reason why buying a car from classified platforms and unlicensed private dealers should always be avoided.
Also read: Beware Dubaites – A Conman on Rolls-Royce Tricks Car Sellers in Dubai
Selling a Car through Classifieds is also Risky!
It is not just buying a car through classifieds that can be risky and vulnerable to frauds, selling a car through classifieds can also have the same concerns. In the recent past, there have been multiple cases reported to the Police in different emirates of the UAE where fraudsters scammed unsuspecting car sellers by running away with a vehicle while test driving it or presenting a dud cheque as payment against a vehicle. Fraudsters approached unsuspecting car sellers through classified websites in all these incidents, which clearly exhibited the fact that classified websites should not be taken as a reliable source to buy or sell used cars.
How to Buy and Sell Used Cars Safely in the UAE?
There are safe practices that can be adopted to sell and buy used cars in the UAE. You should look to buy a car from a trusted and certified dealer who has a good reputation in the market. Before buying a car, you should also ask the dealer to show their trade license as it will prove the legal identity of the dealer. In this way, a fraudulent deal involving cars that are fitted with counterfeit parts or any other scam can be avoided. In addition to this, you can get the car inspected by a used car specialist like SellAnyCar.com to ensure that you know its actual condition.
For selling a used car in the UAE, car sellers should opt for a specialized car buying company like SellAnyCar.com. Making car selling a completely hassle-free process for car sellers in the UAE, SellAnyCar.com is the largest car buying company in the country with 16 nationwide branches.
Car sellers can sell any car in any condition to SellAnyCar.com in just 30 minutes without having to worry about its make, model and condition. SellAnyCar.com buys even non-runners and bank financed cars and handles the post-sale paperwork. The method of payment is also safe and transparent as all payments are made through an electronic bank transfer after the title transfer of the vehicle.
Also read: 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid While Selling a Car in the UAE
SellAnyCar.com also offers Car Inspection Services to Used Car Buyers
SellAnyCar.com also offers car buyers, “the used car inspection service” by a team of experts that specializes in evaluating vehicles on the basis of their current condition and market value. The thorough inspection of the vehicle also ensures whether the vehicle has genuine parts or not, which can potentially save a car buyer from buying a vehicle fitted with counterfeit parts.
Cars buyers must get a vehicle inspected before buying it and should not make any decision in haste. Proper inspection of the vehicle from a specialist company like SellAnyCar.com will help car buyers in avoiding the purchase of a faulty car that would start requiring frequent repairs soon after its purchase because of being fitted with counterfeit parts.
Also read: The Best Way to Sell a Used Car in the UAE and Avoid Fraudulent Car Buyers
Bottom-line
The trading of counterfeit auto spare parts is a big concern and as authorities are taking the required actions to deal with this issue, it is important for car buyers and sellers to embrace preventive measures to discourage fraudsters from running their illegal businesses. All the aforementioned practices can be adopted to sell and buy used cars safely as fraudsters can use different ways to trap inexperienced car sellers and buyers.
Car buyers should particularly get a car thoroughly inspected from a specialist and reliable platform before buying it to ensure that they don’t purchase a car with counterfeit auto spare parts. This is how a car selling or buying deal can be made completely genuine and legal and big scams and frauds can be avoided.
If you are looking to sell your used car that requires frequent repairs to buy a new one with advanced safety features and improved performance, then don’t forget that with us, you can sell any used car in just 30 minutes while all the post-sale paperwork is handled by SellAnyCar.com’s team.
