Temu defends platform over counterfeit car parts

Chinese mega-giant Temu has hit back after it was found counterfeit products that pose a ‘direct threat’ to its Aussie customers are for sale on its platform.

Temu has responded to mounting concerns over the sale of potentially dangerous counterfeit car parts on its platform.

The statement by the Chinese mega platform follows an exclusive investigation by news.com.au, which revealed car parts marketed for brands like Toyota, Honda and BMW, often priced suspiciously low, were being advertised to Australian buyers.

A majority of the products news.com.au found were accompanied by poorly written product manuals and had no clarity around safety certification, quality or origin.

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Auto products available on Temu.

“Temu requires all sellers to follow local laws and regulations. We vet sellers and listings, conduct spot inspections, and closely monitor customer feedback. We also work with leading testing agencies to help ensure products are safe and compliant. Any item flagged is removed during review, and sellers are held accountable if their products fall short,” a Temu spokesperson said.

While Temu’s response states the company has a vetting process, there remains little transparency about how high-risk categories like car parts are monitored at scale across its global network.

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Several car parts are still listed on the platform, including listings carrying brands names and part numbers linked to major automakers.

Industry experts and government bodies have warned these types of listings pose a “direct threat” to consumer safety.

“The use of non-genuine parts, particularly those not engineered and tested to meet Australian safety standards, poses a significant safety risk to both the driver and other road users,” a Nissan spokesperson said.

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The Australian Border Force told news.com.au it actively targets counterfeit goods through intelligence-led inspection and has previously intercepted dangerous car parts including fake oil filters, shattering wheel rims and faulty spark plugs.

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) is also aware of the trend and has stated fake or substandard automotive parts can have life-threatening consequences when fitted to Australian vehicles, especially when sold through backyard repairers.

Experts and multiple agencies say the burden is on consumers, mechanics and importers to avoid dangerous products.

But as the cost of living continues to bite, pushing more Australians toward cheaper online alternatives and DIY vehicle repairs, not enough is being done to protect Aussies on the road.