In recent years, with the unprecedented increase in the price of car parts, a situation has arisen in which many drivers are unable to afford original parts.The increase in the exchange rate, the decrease in imports, and the existence of intermediaries and monopoly in the market have made the cost of car repair and maintenance much heavier for families. This situation has created an environment where some people look for cheaper options to meet their car needs.
One of the observed examples is the buying and selling of used parts, which unfortunately has also become very active in the cyberspace market. For example, in one of the advertisements, a seller is seen offering used brake pads for a Peugeot 207 for about 700 thousand tomans with phrases such as “as good as new” or “with a high percentage of remaining life.” This is while the price of the same part in new and standard form reaches more than one million and two hundred thousand tomans. Such a difference in cost undoubtedly creates great financial pressure for families living on limited incomes, and this issue unintentionally leads them to use risky and substandard parts.
Experts in the field of car safety always warn that trusting the healthy appearance of parts, especially in the braking system, is a mistake. In a conversation with the economic media outlet Bazaar Esfahan, one of the experts explained: “The brake pad is a consumable part and after a certain amount of use, it gradually loses its main function, which is to create the necessary friction to stop the car.” He also emphasized that reusing this part, even if it looks good, can have serious consequences. According to him, in critical situations such as sudden braking or slippery road conditions, using used brake pads causes a delay in the car’s response and a significant reduction in stopping power. This directly puts the lives of the driver, passengers, and even other drivers and pedestrians at risk.
The increased tendency to use second-hand parts in cars is not only due to individuals’ financial problems, but also has its roots in the inefficient structure of the spare parts market. Conditions such as foreign sanctions, a decline in domestic production capacity, and monopoly supply by some importers Large subsidies and weak government oversight have caused the prices of many vital parts to rise to levels that are unaffordable for the middle and poor segments of society. In such a situation, drivers are forced to choose between maintaining the safety of their vehicles and meeting their daily needs.
A clear example of this can be seen in the Amirkabir spare parts market. One driver explained to a reporter: “I went to buy brake pads, but the price of new pads was over one and a half million tomans. The repairman suggested that I buy used pads, which are half the price. Given my financial situation, I had to choose this option. Ultimately, it was important for me to be able to take my child to school and go to work myself.” This shows how economic pressure drives people to buy used brake pads, even if they know that this decision endangers the safety of their vehicles and their lives.
As a result of economic pressures and the sharp increase in the price of parts, an informal and shadow market has emerged for the sale of second-hand car parts. In this market, middlemen and profiteers remove parts such as pads, brake discs and other sensitive safety system components from used or accident-prone cars and offer them to drivers with deceptive packaging and titles such as “as good as new” or “clean”. This is while many buyers are forced to trust this opaque market only due to financial incapacity and the lack of cheaper options.
In the domestic market, there are also Iranian pads that are the choice of many drivers due to their lower price and are safer compared to second-hand options. However, experts believe that if the goal is to be completely sure of quality and comply with international standards, it is better to go for well-known foreign brands such as MHCO original brake pads and Q brake pads. It is noteworthy that there are many counterfeit examples of these brands in the market, and the only way to buy safely is to visit reputable centers.The original brake pad website, as a specialized reference for the supply of original brake pads, provides drivers with access to original products and eliminates concerns about the authenticity of the product.
Hamidreza Azadmanesh, an activist in the auto parts market, said in an interview with a reporter: “In the past, most customers were looking for quality and authenticity of the product and were willing to pay more for safety. But today, the situation has changed; the only criterion for buying is low price. Even for parts that are clearly second-hand, there is discussion and bargaining over the price.” This trend has made risky parts such as used brake pads welcome by buyers; an issue that poses a serious threat not only to vehicle safety, but also to road safety and the lives of people.
The consequences of the widespread use of second-hand parts are not limited to the economic dimension, but also have more serious effects on the safety and even the social situation of society. When vital car parts – especially the brake system – are replaced with second-hand ones instead of standard and new ones, the likelihood of unexpected accidents increases significantly. In such circumstances, not only the safety of the driver and passengers is threatened, but the lives of other drivers and road users are also at risk.
From a social perspective, this phenomenon is also a reflection of the overwhelming economic pressure on the middle and poor segments of society. Many families are forced to choose between safety and financial strength in order to maintain their vehicles in daily commuting. A choice that ultimately jeopardizes collective security. In fact, the prevalence of buying and installing used brake pads and other similar parts is a sign of a deeper crisis; A crisis that shows that the formal market infrastructure does not meet the needs of the people, and this vacuum has paved the way for the growth of informal and unsafe markets.
Despite the dangerous dimensions of this phenomenon, regulatory institutions have not yet shown a serious and effective response. The Ministry of Industry, Mines and Trade, the National Organization for Standards, and even the Government Penal Organization have not yet issued any specific instructions to prohibit the supply of second-hand consumer parts, especially brake pads. This legal vacuum and weak supervision have caused physical and online markets to continue selling these parts without any specific restrictions.
Dr. Behrouz Kaveh, a researcher in the field of public policy in the transportation sector, explained in an interview: “When the market is officially unable to respond to the needs of the people and governmental institutions do not take action to eliminate monopolies or provide goods, it is natural that consumers are forced to accept risks in order to continue their daily lives. Therefore, the responsibility for the current situation does not lie solely with the final buyer.”
Experts have proposed three basic solutions to overcome this crisis: first, increasing imports or seriously supporting domestic production in order to provide people with easier access to standard and safe parts; second, intensifying supervision over online stores and traditional markets to prevent the supply of high-risk parts such as used brake pads; and third, implementing extensive educational programs and public information campaigns about the consequences of using these parts. Only by implementing these measures can road safety and public health be guaranteed to some extent.
The sale and use of used brake pads cannot be considered a violation limited to a few sellers; in fact, this is a mirror of the inefficiency of the entire supply, distribution, and monitoring system in the auto parts market. The continuation of such a trend not only poses a serious threat to road safety and the lives of citizens, but also hits the economic infrastructure and value chain of the auto market.The continuation of such a trend not only poses a serious threat to road safety and the lives of citizens, but also hits the economic infrastructure and value chain of the auto market. When consumers are Financial flows are discouraged from purchasing new goods, and instead of offering quality products, sellers rely only on cheap, substandard sales, which is a clear sign of instability and market collapse.
In such circumstances, a fundamental question arises: Should public safety on the roads be sacrificed for the high cost and disorder in the parts market? The reality is that if immediate, serious, and structural measures are not taken to control this crisis, society must be prepared to accept its severe consequences; from an increase in the number of accidents to widespread technical failures and human disasters, the cost of which will be much heavier than the insignificant savings of buying a used part.
Source: Khabar Fori website