NGK IZFR6K11: Tips to Check for Authentic Spark Plugs

Be careful, there are people selling counterfeit spark plugs online and in person. In this video, I provide you with 8 quick checks to verify if your NGK Laser Iridium spark plugs are real.

UPDATE June 2023: Some people have been telling me to check the resistance using a multimeter, so I did. Both the fakes and the real ones were in the 4k -6k range. The difference is that the ohms from the real ones were closer (4.1, 4.5, 4.7) as long as they're from the same box. A real plug from a different box (same model) showed 6.0. The fake plugs from the same box were less consistent in their readings (4.1 and 6.0).

***The reason why these specific model ones are fake, even though they say made in Japan, and NGK is a Japanese company.... the older legit versions of this plug going back about 10 years used to say made in Japan. The company updated this model to say, assembled in the US. I know this because I bought these plugs 10 years ago. The fakes are still copying the older plugs.

For a full list of locations where NGK Manufactures spark plugs, click here:

Known good Amazon 3rd party sellers: AUTOPARTSAAA, CPS, OverStockDirect

Places to buy legitimate plugs: Auto Zone, Napa, Pep Boys, O'Reilly, Advanced Auto Parts, Parts Authority, Summit Racing, Parts Geek, Parts Plus, Rock Auto.

These spark plugs are good for up to 110k miles (in a properly functioning engine). If your engine burns oil you'll have to change them sooner.

The product links below are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links.

PRODUCT LINKS:
NGK Laser Iridium Spark Plugs IZFR6K11 6994

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RELATED VIDEO:
Counterfeit Laser Iridium Spark Plugs

[ChavezDIY]

***UPDATE - THIS INFORMATION ONLY APPLIES TO THIS MODEL, OTHER MODELS MAY VARY. CHECK VIDEO DESCRIPTION FOR CORRECTIONS AND MORE INFO***

[thepowerofyourvoicepodcast]

Thanks for this video. In 2020 I purchased the NGK LKR7DIX-11S Iridium IX Spark Plug's for our Acura MDX and they have only been in there for 2 years and the vehicle has been starting really funny, so I was thinking something must be wrong with the spark plugs, turns out after watching this they must be fake. The tube over the plug is cardboard, the ink does not go through the box and is brown cardboard, not white like in this (even though they are different models), but still Iridium spark plugs. I purchased these off Amazon and just noticed reviews saying they purchased some fakes... It is really sad that Amazon is selling fake Iridium spark plugs that could damage peoples vehicles. They were Sold by EPFamily Direct

[joesixer]

Take this video with a grain of salt. I bought a set at Auto Zone, an authorized NGK seller. They came with a brown cardboard tube over them and they were made in Thailand.

[trevornelmes]

It is important to know that if you are outside of North America, you will likely instead be buying plugs made in Japan, and so much of this video does not then apply. Where I am, in Europe, they are always Japanese if from official distributors, and the boxes are different. In Europe, they always have card sleeves, not plastic (recycling regulations). You can still do the light shining through test to see the part number. The biggest giveaways are the quality of the printing on the box (the pointed parts of the N are always rounded on the fakes), with fakes having slightly blurry printing, the quality of the part number printing on the ceramic, the batch number printing (on the hex) and the original does not have machining grooves on the round shoulders of the spark plug. Also, look very carefully and the spark tip. The tip should be silvery, but the base more of a golden coppery colour. Really hard to get a close look as camera phone autofocus that is not so good. NGK have some photos on their own website, but, as with all things, products and production improve. The lot number on the plugs is often a giveaway. The fakes often have the same number on EVERY plug made. So, I buy singles, rather than a four pack. Chances are you will have more than one batch number even in just four plugs. Because the numbers are done per lot, they rarely quite line up, and are rarely in the middle (vertically).

[swingmanic]

I bought some GENUINE NGK iridium spark plugs with a brown cardboard sleeve from a reputable supplier. Not sure I'd agree with the clear plastic sleeve.

[kryptik]

My NGK plugs that I bought from NAPA say just NGK and part number on the opposite sides. The box is not transparent under light and it says Assembled in Thailand.

[tuanngnt]

Here are additional steps to verify it:
1) Using a voltmeter to check the resistance of it. The real one should have a resistance value around 5k-ohm (4.64k-ohm, 5k-ohm, 5.10k-ohm, 5.31k-ohm, etc.) and the fake one has all kinds of numbers like (18k-olm, 44k-ohm, 200k-ohm, 400k-ohm, etc.).
2) Email to NGK to verify the Manufacture Lot Number; that is the 4 letters on the hex nut (An example: V32K, V33J, V31U, etc.). They will respond to you whether that MLN is legit or not.

[victorruiz]

Thanks for sharing this video I recently purchase fake spark plugs from eBay thanks to your video I found out there garbage I’m going to return the fake ones and buy new ones on the auto parts store thanks again well done 👍 people need to know about this scammers

[larrysing]

One thing you said in here is incorrect. There are genuine NGK spark plugs that do have “Made in Japan” on the side of the box. They will have “EAC” printed above that.

[Dr.Octogon]

Just purchased NGK Laser Iridium from Rock Auto and they say Japan. Given that NGK is based in Japan I am not sure how that could be a indication that they are fake. I see that you clarified a bit in your details section so I appreciate it but it might create some confusion for people watching your video and not the reading description.

[pablogutierrez]

Thank you for a very nice presentation, concise and informative.

[AbcAbc-dhjb]

Excellent content,
Thank you for making it easier for many of us.
Bless you

[mohamedh]

The Fakes have got a lot better, so today it would be difficult to say, they are also manufactured in several countries, franchise auto parts stores carry legit ones, NGK makes OEM plugs for all Japanese, European cars and Ford. The only way to tell is by doing a resistance check

[chrisdeering]

Thanks Not only did I receive or ordered the wrong plug, They are definitely fakes too..thanks for the bad news twice. Lol..appreciate your channel man

[brizzlefizzle]

Might want to edit the video because you are wrong about the “made in Japan” being fake. Depending on the part number, certain ones are in fact made in japan

[OreganoCaramel]

I bought OEM Honda spark plugs (same NGK plugs as shown here) and they come in Honda packaging but the protective cover was missing, are they fake or real? Or even worse, did i receive used plugs ?

[Tbird]

It's my understanding that Amazon doesn't keep separate bins for different sellers but rather all NEW condition stuff is binned together no matter whose stock it is. As such, it may not matter which seller you bought it from if it is shipped by Amazon. You could get stock Amazon sourced or a third party seller sourced regardless.

[brentforte]

Now i know mine are fake i figured they were when I bought them so cheap im running them right now. Bad idea? They are working fine??

[elduran]

Another great informative video. Will now be keeping on eye out for fakes.

[abdullahalamary]

Do rockauto online sell fake products? I bought from them and the plugs does apply like your video in some parts specifically the box is showing the number when i passed the light onto it