If you drive a Toyota, Nissan, or Mazda in Kenya, high chances are that at some point, you’ve unknowingly encountered counterfeit car parts, and this could cost you thousands of shillings.
Automotive experts indicate that these three brands account for the highest number of fake and substandard spare parts in the local market, mainly because of their popularity and constant demand for replacements.
From shock absorbers to engine components, counterfeit parts have flooded garages and spare-parts shops across the country in recent years, offering motorists cheap “solutions” that often end up costing more in the long run.
Speaking exclusively to Kenyans.co.ke Phillip Bosire, an automotive expert based along Kirinyaga Road, estimated Kenyans can lose up to Ksh100,000 a year from buying counterfeit parts for their vehicles.
"Because some of these original parts come with slightly higher prices. People are usually tempted to go for quick fixes, which end up hurting vehicles in the long run," Bosire said.
Beyond financial losses, Bosire, who owns Melvic Autospares along Kirinyaga Road, cautions that counterfeit parts pose serious safety risks on roads, as they often sabotage key functionalities of vehicles, especially those related to the vehicle's stability.
Bosire noted that commercial drivers, especially online taxis, are the most affected motorists since they prioritise short-term solutions to keep their vehicles on the road.
"This can stem from, for example, suffering secondary challenges or buying the same parts two or three times compared to one time after buying a genuine part," the Autospares owner added.
"For fake or substandard shock absorbers, for example, the metal used cannot necessarily handle some extremely torrid terrain. This in turn runs the risk of the shock failing at a crucial time, and a failing shock affects a car's stability," he cautioned.
As far as importing vehicle parts is concerned, the dealer proceeded to urge motorists to be extremely vigilant before making purchases by scrutinising the legitimacy of the dealer first to ensure that the parts they buy correspond with the vehicle.
"Motorists should ensure that they verify the legitimacy of the part by checking whether it is an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) or aftermarket. OEM parts usually last longer and fit better," Bosire added.
The car parts market has metamorphosed over time, with vehicles that were once considered rare, such as Mercedes-Benz, BMWs, and Audis, no longer suffering from a spare parts shortage due to their increased popularity.
“In the past, there used to be a scarcity of parts for car models like Mercedes, BMWs and Audis, and other exotic cars. That has changed," Bosire said.
As electric mobility gains momentum in the country, Bosire noted that electric vehicle components are now easily accessible due to their rising demand.
