The danger of buying second-hand airbags
Motorists trying to save money buying second-hand airbags online could end up paying a much higher price, a new investigation warns.
Leading accident management company, Accident Exchange, says the growing trade on auction sites like eBay, is a potentially ‘life and death’ issue and the Government needs to act.
The unregulated nature of the marketplace means the second-hand airbags being sold could be defective or inoperable, without the buyer’s or even the seller’s knowledge. The end result could be fatal if the airbag fails to deploy in an accident.
At any time around 3,000 airbags are being auctioned online, according to Accident Exchange’s research. In the vast majority of cases, the history is unclear.
It is feared the booming UK marketplace is being fuelled in part by the fraudulent practice of replacing stolen or used airbags in the aftermath of an accident. Last year, an investigation by the American National Highway Traffic Safety Administration[i] found that in 255 of the 1,446 fatal crashes it reviewed, the airbags had not been properly replaced after the previous accident. The report discovered scrunched up newspaper, crisp packets and even a trainer in place of the airbag unit.
“Buying a second-hand airbag may save you money, but it could cost you your life,” commented Steve Evans, chief executive of Accident Exchange. “Who is selling these airbags? Which cars are they going into and who is fitting them? More importantly why were they removed from the original vehicle in the first place?
The marketplace should be strictly regulated before it gets out of hand.”
Although the Department for Transport recommends drivers should not attempt to fit second-hand airbag components[ii] , no laws currently exist to limit the sale, shipment, handling and maintenance of the devices. In Germany, it is illegal to buy a used airbag.
Adding to the problem, UK postal workers are unwittingly transporting the often anonymously packaged airbags even though they are classified as UN Hazard Class 1 explosives. In situ, they deploy and inflate within just 25 milliseconds of impact, reaching speeds of up to 160mph.
The Royal Mail actually refuses to ship any kind of airbag through either their standard service or the Parcelforce division[iii] , although this is being ignored by many sellers who advertise a standard delivery option on their auction listings. Citylink and DHL agree to handle the safety devices, but only when clearly labelled and delivered through their Dangerous Goods Departments. DHL is regularly used by vehicle manufacturers to safely transport airbag units.
The Health & Safety Executive provides strict guidelines on the safe storage of airbags. Some units even require registration under the Explosives Act of 1875 for business and individuals wishing to keep them on the premises.
At present, the public are unable to verify whether a vehicle has been involved in an accident, who repaired it and whether the airbag has been replaced as part of the insurance claim.
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