By Kotie Geldenhuys
Photos/images courtesy of Magnific, Pixabay and Unsplash
A routine trip can turn into a life-threatening ordeal in seconds when a vehicle’s brakes fail without warning, sometimes due to a counterfeit part hidden deep within the system. This largely unseen danger forms part of a growing global crisis in the vehicle industry, where counterfeit mechanical components are costing companies and consumers billions each year. Across the world, including South Africa, counterfeit vehicle and aircraft parts are causing millions of rand in damages annually, while putting countless lives at risk.
Economic strain and an ageing vehicle fleet, averaging more than 12 years, are driving South African motorists towards cheaper vehicle parts, fuelling a dangerous surge in counterfeit components. The growing demand for low-cost parts and an increase in anonymous online marketplaces have made it easier for bad actors to introduce counterfeit parts into the supply chain. Authorities face mounting challenges in detecting and intercepting these goods, as border control and customs systems struggle to keep up with high volumes of imports, many linked to sophisticated illegal networks (Dealerfloor, 2025).
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[This is only an extract of an article published in Servamus: July 2026. This article is available for purchase.]