Vauxhall has launched a Parts Quality Assurance (PQA) programme to prevent counterfeit parts from penetrating the dealer network.

The programme has been designed to give increased protection to both consumers and retailers, in terms of safety, product and personal liability obligations.

Vauxhall staff will visit retailers to check the stock and to determine whether counterfeit parts have entered the parts supply chain. Where parts are found to be counterfeit, they will be removed from stock and the supplier contacted.

Kevin England, General Motor's European brand protection manager, said: "Consumer safety is paramount. We have a big responsibility to do everything we can to stop fakes from entering the supply chain. Frequently no one knows the part is fake except the original counterfeiters and the brand protection team. To everyone else - the part seems genuine. It's our job to eliminate every illegal part from the industry."