Azerbaijan.US
Car owners in Azerbaijan are being urged to exercise caution when purchasing spare parts, amid growing complaints that used or refurbished components are being sold as brand-new.
Several drivers report that parts marketed as “original” and “new” begin to malfunction shortly after installation. According to these claims, second-hand components are sometimes polished, repackaged, and presented as new products – occasionally even accompanied by a warranty.
Transport expert Elmaddin Muradli says the circulation of counterfeit and low-quality spare parts has increased in recent years, creating both financial losses and safety risks for drivers.
“Many consumers focus primarily on price and assume there is little difference between original and non-original parts,” Muradli noted. “In reality, the difference is not just about durability, but about road safety.”
He warned that using poor-quality or used components is especially dangerous in critical systems such as steering, suspension, engine parts, fuel supply, and electrical systems. In some cases, drivers knowingly accept these risks, either to save money or because they plan to resell the vehicle in the near future.
Muradli recommends purchasing spare parts from authorized service centers whenever possible. When buying from independent retailers, he advises checking barcodes and product identifiers to verify authenticity.
Another transport specialist, Eldaniz Jafarov, says he has not observed widespread cases of used parts being systematically sold as new. According to him, genuine new spare parts usually come with factory packaging, unique serial numbers, and compliance certificates.
“Azerbaijan imports a sufficient volume of auto parts from multiple countries,” Jafarov said. “There is generally no need to disguise used parts as new, although isolated violations cannot be ruled out.”
In cases of suspected fraud, experts advise consumers to file complaints with consumer protection authorities and competition regulators.
Both specialists agree that saving money on spare parts can ultimately lead to higher repair costs – or serious safety consequences. Careful verification and informed purchasing decisions, they say, remain the most effective protection for drivers.
