People in Oman advised to use genuine vehicle spare parts

Muscat: Motorists in Oman have been advised not to install unauthorised spare parts in their vehicles.
In 2014, the Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP) published a report which addressed 1,162 complaints related to tyres and vehicle parts, saying it had confiscated nearly 1,357 parts during checks it conducted.
Most of these parts were far cheaper than genuine parts and therefore customers found them to be a better alternative.
However, given that such safety critical parts, such as brake pads and engine parts, come with no guarantee and can prove to be life threatening in testing situations.
“Most people install parts from outside the dealership as they are a cheaper alternative, which can pose a risk to consumers as these parts carry no performance guarantee,” said Faisal Mohammed, marketing manager at Audi Oman. He even quoted PACP’s advice to not use them, given the dangerous consequences.
However, Taufeeq, a private garage owner, said there is no problem in installing parts, which are not critical to the safety or performance of a vehicle and where cost benefits are huge.
“It is fine to install such parts, which are disposable within two to three months and have to be changed anyway, whether genuine or not. They do not affect performance and provide a cost saving of more than 50 per cent,” he explained.
He also said most garage owners do not install parts unrecognised by dealers, especially for vehicular functions that are critical for human life.
Authorised parts’ dealers still suggest that one must not to use these parts as most general consumers are unaware of the applications of the parts and in a bid to get a cheaper deal, they fall prey to bogus parts. A workshop manager at a dealership in Oman said that often private garages install parts that have the name of the official dealer, but are actually fake and people must beware that such parts are equally dangerous.
Several individuals also noted that vehicle performance declined after they got their vehicle repaired.
Suspecting foul play in their case, they had raised concerns over the type of parts garage owners had installed and its detrimental end results.
Aamir Patel, a chartered accountant complained that his vehicle’s performance had decreased ever since he had his car repaired at a private garage for a small repair.
“I had given my car for repair and when I got it back there was a strange engine sound, which was not there before, but the garage owner insisted that it was there from before.”