If you scroll Facebook Marketplace for long enough, you might come across a "brand-new" set of Michelin tires for $40. The new seller has no ratings, and the only other listing is a Pokémon card — $40 sounds tempting, until you remember that your tires are the only part of the car touching the road.

The tire industry adheres to strict safety regulations, and authentic tires undergo rigorous quality control procedures. Every step of the manufacturing process is subject to rigid testing, ensuring that products comply with global performance and safety standards. Every legit tire comes stamped with clear DOT codes, sizing information, load and speed ratings, etc. That's part of the reason why it's important tounderstand what's written on your tires. 

On the other hand, counterfeit tires usually have various defects that give them away. Visually, you'll notice things like sloppy sidewall fonts, substandard finishes, and uneven tread patterns. All are tell-tale signs of knockoffs. Inferior bead form, soft rubber composition, and bizarre weights are also common indicators of poor tire quality and build.

A fake tire will often sport details like misspelled words, mislabeled sizing, or randomly placed DOT marks. Furthermore, counterfeits frequently omit the tire identification number (TIN). The last four digits of the TIN indicate the week and year the tire was manufactured. This is also the part that's always being tampered with by counterfeiters. 

Sure, Marketplace deals are fun. But if the branding and labels look doubtful, trust your instincts. 

Counterfeit tires aren't discount versions. They are fake, bootleg copies. They're fabricated with substandard materials and shady manufacturing practices to look convincing enough for quick sales, often through online marketplaces where oversight is minimal. They're designed for profit above all else, and profit does not care about your safety. Fake tires can causedangerous blowouts on the highway, premature wear, and even lethal accidents. Your cheapness can cause you chaos.

Counterfeiting has always been a great threat and a worldwide problem, affecting even the tire industry. In 2021, the total loss from fake products across all industries reached up to $467 billion in global trade. Economically, global brands lose billions to counterfeits yearly, while their reputations suffer, thanks to counterfeiters using the brands' logos. Genuine manufacturers spend millions on R&D, testing, and compliance to meet global standards. Small retailers and distributors are affected, too. Fewer buyers means less revenue for them, making the business unsustainable. 

Using fake tires can result in more than just safety concerns for drivers and financial losses for manufacturers. Unsuspecting buyers are often stuck with warranties that vanish the moment the tire fails. Always ask for certificates of authenticity, and if the seller can't give you one, run away. Legally, it gets messier. Insurance companies may deny claims if an accident can be traced back to knowingly (or unknowingly) using counterfeit products.

Counterfeiters skip every step and undercut on price. It's the perfect recipe for danger covered in suspiciously shiny tread.

Authentic tires leave a paper trail — counterfeits don't. Start with the basics. Every legitimate tire sold in the U.S. must have a DOT code on its sidewall. That code contains the factory ID, tire size, and, crucially, the week and year the tire was manufactured. If this code is missing or looks like it was tampered with, walk away. Depending on the type of tire, legitimate products also carry standardized load and speed ratings, UTQG numbers, treadwear/traction/temperature grades, and properly placed ECE/E-mark labels for international models.

Look closely at the branding. The logos and markings should be consistent, clearly printed or embossed, and correctly spaced. Legitimate tires also use unique tread patterns for specific performance metrics. If a tire feels unusually light or rubbery, or if the tread looks like it was carved by a bored teenager, it's probably fake.

Shopping smart helps, too. Buy from reputable, licensed dealers with transparent return policies, likeConsumer Reports' best tire retailers. Cross-check DOT serial numbers with the manufacturer when possible. 

When browsing on platforms like Facebook Marketplace or random online shops, examine the seller's history, reviews, and photos, and ask yourself whether the price makes sense. Michelins don't magically become $40 overnight unless they're made of recycled rain boots. If you're still unsure, inspect the tire in person and ask for verification, like a certificate of authenticity. 

Real tires aren't cheap. And cheap tires usually aren't real.