FCAI launches new site to warn motorists of cheap parts

New website to advise motorists about the benefits of using genuine car parts.

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) has launched Genuine is Best, a new website that helps motorists ensure their cars are repaired using genuine car parts.

Unless obliged to use genuine parts, there is a great temptation for repairers to use cheaper knock-offs or refurbished parts that may look the same, but not but not necessarily be the same quality as a genuine part.

Generally, a genuine part is a new part and comes recommended by the manufacturer of your vehicle.

Chief Executive of the FCAI, Tony Weber, says the Genuine is Best website will help consumers make sure their car functions and protects them in the way the manufacturer intended.

"A genuine part is made or selected by the vehicle maker and is tested as an integral component of the vehicle to ensure quality and safety," he said.

"Non-genuine parts can't necessarily promise this quality and safety."

The website provides a step-by-step guide for motorists, designed to ensure that any repairs done to their car has been completed using genuine parts.

It also advises motorists to check their insurance policy to ensure that any repair work done under that policy must be done using genuine parts, and not refurbished or third-party parts.

The Genuine is Best website is available here.