Vauxhall has launched a Parts Quality Assurance programme as it steps up the fight against counterfeit parts suppliers.

The PQA scheme is designed to protect retailers and consumers by preventing fake parts from penetrating the dealer network. A team of brand protection specialists will visit dealers to check stock for counterfeits and show them how to spot fakes.

Kevin England, General Motors European brand protection manager, said the scheme was not putting dealers on trial. “Frequently no one knows the part is fake except the original counterfeiters and the brand protection team,” he said.

“We have a big responsibility to do everything we can to stop fakes from entering the supply chain. It's our job to eliminate every illegal part from the industry.”

The specialist team will remove from the dealership any parts found to be counterfeit and contact the supplier.

Vauxhall has 25 investigations in progress – most are nearing legal action.

Mr England said aftermarket copy parts from suppliers like Magneti Marelli and Lucas were not affected. The PQA programme would typically target parts from Asia, where companies use original manufacturer trademarks without authorisation, before importing them to Europe as genuine products.

Ford has been operating an anti-counterfeit division for around 10 years, while DaimlerChrysler began actively targeting fraudsters and fake parts last year.