How to distinguish original Volkswagen 3B7601171 center caps from fakes

Sooner or later, the owner of a Volkswagen with alloy wheels faces the question of buying caps. There are a huge number of offers, both on the Internet and in car markets/shops. Sometimes you can come across outright consumer goods, which after several visits to a tire shop may become unusable.

Let's consider one of the popular types of center caps that fit most Volkswagen alloy wheels - 3B7 601 171 и dimensions 3/5/56/65 mm. You can buy both original caps and a copy, i.e. a replica. There are sellers who try to sell a "copy" under the guise of the original. Despite the low price, the caps are made quite well, and you can't tell them apart from the original right away.
So, let's analyze the original caps and the replica.

On the left is a copy, where the logo itself is stamped thinner, compared to the original on the right side, this is clearly visible. It also happens that some manufacturers of replicas use low-quality paint, and the black background itself is easily erased even with a fingernail.

Let's look at the back side of the original center caps.

All symbols are cast clearly, the font is even and easy to read. There is always an inscription of the country in which the center caps were made (Germany, Italy, Spain), as well as the year and month of production.

And a replica.

The symbols are cast crookedly and not so clearly, the fastening tabs, compared to the original, are thinner, noticeably lighter in weight than the original. MADE IN Germany - they simply copied the stamp, but in fact it was made in China or Turkey.

When making original plugs, shockproof amorphous material is used, which has good chemical resistance, and is therefore more expensive to produce. The Chinese, however, use plastic from secondary raw materials in the production of caps, which makes the final product cheaper.

When buying offline, pay attention to the details described above. And if you buy online, ask the seller to send a photo of the back side.

In our online store you can buy original Volkswagen center caps 3B7601171, and also a quality replica. The choice is yours.

P.S. According to our customers' feedback, caps with a smaller mounting diameter (54 mm) have appeared in Ukraine. As a result, the cap simply dangles in the disk.

Be careful, do not chase a low price. Choose trusted sellers.