Over the years, we've come across a number of fake cars and parts. There are fake Jeep Wranglers and fake Lamborghinis, as well as all the replica cars that China has made as copies of some of the world's best-selling cars. For the typical car fanatic, spotting these fakes isn't very difficult. However, spotting fake individual parts is a lot more tricky, and this problem is especially prevalent in Australia, where authorities there have seized a shipment of counterfeit parts that could compromise the safety of the Toyota Hilux, one of the country's best sellers.

The pickup, which is of similar size to our Ford Ranger, has now had a warning issued after the Australian Border Force seized a large batch of imported counterfeit parts that could compromise vehicle safety and lead to a "catastrophic failure," reports Drive. According to the report, Australian authorities flagged suspension components with Hilux branding that arrived in Toyota packaging. It's unclear how many fake parts were discovered, but the seizure has been described as of "a quantity of concern". This current shipment was made up of strut spacers, used to lift the truck's front suspension for better clearance when off-roading.

Naturally, fitting such parts without the proper testing and manufacturing processes is highly risky and safety experts have warned that the Hilux's electronic stability program could be adversely affected in the event of a swerving maneuver. This is especially worrisome considering that the Hilux has a bad history with the so-called elk test/moose test, often tipping over when changing direction quickly. What's more worrying is that the existence of this seized shipment suggests that past shipments may have made it into the country, for who knows what parts. To be safe, always make sure to buy replacement parts from reputable dealers, or you could seriously risk your safety.