Automotive Spare Parts Authentication
Counterfeit automotive parts are among the most dangerous categories of fake goods. Unlike counterfeit luxury items where the harm is primarily economic, fake auto parts can—and do—cause vehicle failures, accidents, injuries, and deaths.
Brake pads that fail to stop vehicles. Airbags that deploy explosively—or not at all. Structural components that crumble in collisions. OET's partnership with the brand KURZ SCRIBOS delivers authentication technology with life-saving capability.
The Counterfeit Auto Parts Crisis
Critical Statistics (2024):
- Over 211,000 counterfeit automotive parts seized in the USA alone—nearly double the previous year
- Global automotive aftermarket valued at $468.91 billion, with counterfeit penetration estimated at 5-15%
- In African markets, up to 40% of automotive parts sold are counterfeit
- Counterfeit parts linked to numerous accidents and fatalities worldwide
Most Dangerous Counterfeit Components
Safety-Critical Parts
Brake Components
Fake brake pads may contain inadequate friction materials, cardboard fillers, or materials that degrade rapidly under heat. These parts may appear functional initially but fail catastrophically when needed most.
Airbags
Counterfeit airbags have been linked to injuries and deaths. Some fail to deploy; others deploy with explosive force due to improper propellants.
Steering and Suspension
Ball joints, tie rods, and control arms from counterfeit sources use inferior materials. Failure at highway speeds can result in loss of vehicle control.
Lighting
Fake headlights and brake lights may appear functional but provide inadequate illumination or fail unpredictably.
High-Value Consumables
- Oil Filters: Counterfeit filters may lack proper filtration media
- Air Filters: Fake filters provide inadequate filtration while restricting airflow
- Spark Plugs: Counterfeit ignition parts cause poor combustion and potential engine damage
ValiGate®: Uncopyable Authentication for Auto Parts
The brand KURZ SCRIBOS developed ValiGate® to provide authentication that sophisticated counterfeiters cannot defeat.
Cryptographic Security
Each ValiGate® code contains encrypted data unique to that specific part. Unlike standard QR codes that can be photographed and reproduced, ValiGate® codes incorporate security features that fail authentication when copied.
Physical Verification
The codes include microscopic security elements verified during each scan—features requiring specialized printing processes unavailable to counterfeiters.
Lifecycle Tracking
SCRIBOS 360 tracks each part from production through installation, supporting warranty management and recall execution.
Protecting the Authorized Dealer Network
Revenue Protection
Every counterfeit part sold represents lost revenue for legitimate distributors who invested in proper facilities, training, and inventory.
Warranty Liability
When counterfeit parts fail and cause damage, consumers may seek warranty coverage from authorized dealers—creating liability for problems the dealer did not cause.
Reputation Impact
Parts failures affect perception of the brand regardless of whether genuine parts were involved. Authentication allows brands to demonstrate when failures involve counterfeits.
Application Options
For automotive applications, durable label solutions that withstand oil, heat, and mechanical stress are essential.
EXPERIENCE VALIGATE® TECHNOLOGY
Protect vehicle safety and your dealer network from counterfeit parts. Request your free Experience Box with automotive-grade authentication samples.
REQUEST YOUR FREE EXPERIENCE BOX →
As one of the exclusive application and sales partners of the brand KURZ SCRIBOS in Türkiye, OET provides complete technology infrastructure and local implementation expertise. Through this partnership, brands in Türkiye and beyond gain access to world-class anti-counterfeiting technologies that combine physical product security with digital intelligence.
Orijinal Etiket Teknoloji works for a world where only Good wins.
