In the wake of the recent Pegasus Advanta SUV tire flap, consumers across the country are being urged to lookout for counterfeit tires. Just in case you missed it, in September 2014 Consumer Reports came into possession of supposed “grey market” Pegasus Advantage SUV tires during some routine tire testing. American Pacific Industries, the owner of the Pegasus brand in the United States, claimed the tires were not produced by an authorized vendor. Well, in our industry, the sale of both new and second hand tires is obviously big business… so how careful should consumers be?

Buyers looking to avoid getting stuck with inferior counterfeit tires should be vigilant! If you’re looking for a new set of rubber, it’s in your best interest to conduct a bit of investigative work before plunking down cold, hard cash for the tires, or for any automotive part for that matter. Sticking with tires, Consumer Reports recommends that buyers start by examining the sidewalls, and jotting down the numbers that you find there. Legitimate tires will have two sets of numbers (go here to learn how to decipher the data). One set of numbers identifies the manufacturer, and the model, size, construction and performance features. The second series of numbers begins with DOT and is designed to reveal where and when the tire was produced. That’s the one that may truly help car parts buyers determine if someone is trying to sell them bad rubber.

Buyers concerned that the tires they’re thinking of purchasing are counterfeit should contact the manufacturer directly to verify that the numbers are legit. If the manufacturer can’t verify the numbers, you might reach out to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, whose mission is to investigate and stop counterfeiting and piracy.

And always remember, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t skimp when it comes to your tires!