Safety, Style or A Bit of a Stretch? Buying Car Accessories From Temu

When it comes to family cars, accessories can make life on the road so much easier, or more stylish. Platforms like Temu are rapidly becoming go-to destinations for car owners looking to jazz up their rides without breaking the bank. But before you click “add to basket”, it’s worth asking: are these accessories really safe for your family, or could they lead to hefty fines - or worse? We’ve analysed the top 100 best-selling family car accessories on Temu, to understand if these items are safe, and what you should be buying instead. 

Why are drivers turning to Temu?

If you’ve scrolled through Temu, you’ll know the platform offers a dizzying array of car accessories. From infant mirrors to car seat organisers, it’s easy to see the appeal. Prices are budget-friendly, with stylish designs. But just how well do the prices stack up against other places?

We’ve analysed the top 100 best-selling ‘family car accessories’ on Temu and categorised them by product type. We’ve averaged the cost on Temu, and outside of Temu, to see how much cheaper the platform is.

Phone holders and mounts are one of the biggest product categories in the top 100, with 16 phone mounts in the best-sellers. It’s hard not to see why, when Brits are saving 75% more on average. The average cost on Temu is £12.10, and £21.19 elsewhere.

Car organisers and storage products match the phone holder category for the number of listings in the top 100, at 16. This category offers a more moderate saving, but still decent, at 40%.

Car stickers are the second biggest category in the best-selling car accessories, with 14 listings. Brits can save 34% on Temu compared to elsewhere, with the average Temu car sticker costing £11.77.

Car ornaments, including miniature decorations mounted on the dashboard and air vents, are the third biggest category in the top 100. This category offers the biggest saving on Temu at 84%; the average cost on Temu is £16.22, and £29.85 elsewhere.

However, some categories were more expensive on Temu, such as car cleaning brushes and snow/ice shield car covers, which were 20% and 18% more expensive.

But overall, the majority of products are cheaper; six out of the nine product categories were cheaper to purchase on Temu, resulting in an average saving of 32%. So, should drivers and families use this platform to save money, or are these products risky?

The riskiest car accessories on Temu

We’ve analysed the top 100 best-selling family car accessories and uncovered the riskiest products that could be unsafe or illegal.

*Indicates the first time this product type was listed in the top 100 best-selling family car accessories.

The risks posed by seat belt covers, Temu’s seventh most popular family car accessory

Seat belt covers are the seventh most popular product in the best sellers. There are 2,035 listings on Temu, racking up 2,278,827 sales in total. These products range from simple padded designs to oversized plushie teddy bear covers. While they may seem like a comfort-focused accessory, these covers can be deceptively dangerous. Some listings even show children using the plush covers without proper car seats, implying they are a substitute for legally required child restraints - a potentially life-threatening misunderstanding.

For adults, padded seat belt covers can interfere with the correct positioning of the seat belt.

“If the belt doesn’t fit snugly across the chest and hips, its effectiveness in a crash is compromised, increasing the risk of severe injuries,” says Harrison Walsh, family motoring expert at Family Car Deals,

Additionally, oversized plush designs may prevent the belt from retracting properly, leaving passengers without the full protection seat belts are designed to provide. Comfort should never come at the cost of safety, and these products highlight the risks of prioritising aesthetics over function.

What to buy instead from Temu:

If you love the look seat belt covers add to the aesthetic of your car, why not change up your car seats with universal seat covers? Temu has faux leather seat covers that are easy to wipe down to clean, and they add a luxe feel to the car. Or you could go for a patterned seat cover which kids will love!

Steering wheel knobs could encourage one-handed driving - and have reached 288,767 sales on Temu

Steering wheel knobs were the 24th most popular best-selling ‘family car accessory’. Across Temu’s listings, this product type was found 222 times with a total of 288,767 sales and an average price of £32.23.

The product is a knob that fits on a steering wheel; it’s, first and foremost, a mobility aid for drivers with a disability. When attached, it makes it easier to control the steering wheel one-handedly.

While these devices can be a vital mobility aid for drivers with disabilities, they shouldn’t be used by able-bodied drivers. For able-bodied drivers, they might seem convenient, but these devices encourage drivers to use just one hand on the wheel, significantly reducing control in emergencies.

In the UK, driving with only one hand on the wheel can be considered careless or dangerous driving, especially if it leads to an accident. Fines can reach up to £5,000, along with penalty points or even disqualification from driving.

Harrison states: “While steering wheel knobs can be indispensable for those with disabilities, able-bodied drivers shouldn’t be using them. Beyond the legal risks, relying on a steering wheel knob can compromise the driver’s ability to react quickly, making it a potential hazard for everyone on the road.”

What to buy instead from Temu:

If you want to up your steering wheel game, Temu has a plethora of stylish steering wheel covers. Some of these have extra grip, so not only chic but safe and practical, too.

Car seat organisers: handy or dangerous?

Car seat organisers were the 30th best-selling product in the top 100. Altogether on Temu, this product type has 2,071 listings, 4,664,591 sales, and an average price of £38.34. Evidently, these are a popular choice for keeping family cars tidy. These organisers often feature multiple pockets for toys, tablets, and snacks, with some even including fold-out trays. While convenient, they come with safety risks.

Car seat experts recommend avoiding encouraging children to snack in the car, as there’s an increased likelihood of choking. Most car seats are reclined, and there’s limited supervision, increasing the danger. Additionally, in the event of sudden braking or a collision, items stored in these organisers, or the organiser itself, can become dangerous projectiles, posing a risk of injury to passengers.

“While they may help manage clutter, parents should carefully consider these potential hazards when choosing storage solutions for their car,” adds Harrison.

What to buy instead from Temu:

Instead of car seat organisers, purchase storage boxes for the boot. Temu has a lot of boot storage options, for reasonable prices. These will be much safer as if anything moves, it will be contained in the boot.

LED lights have raked in 2,961,993 sales but could land you a fine

Ranked 55th among Temu’s top 100 best-sellers, interior LED lights, with 2,961,993 sales and an average price of £22.35, are a trendy addition for many drivers. They might be good to help keep children entertained, but these LED lights could potentially violate the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989.

This legislation states that “no vehicle shall be fitted with a lamp capable of showing a red light to the front” and “no vehicle shall be fitted with a lamp capable of showing any light to the rear.”

Drivers whose lights breach these rules risk receiving a fixed penalty notice. While these lights can add flair to your car’s interior, it’s crucial to ensure they comply with legal requirements to avoid fines and ensure road safety.

What to buy instead from Temu:

If you want to jazz up your car with lights, consider LED light strips that add a subtle glow to the car’s interior. Or, Temu has glow in the dark tyre valve caps, and when the car moves, it makes the car wheel look fully lit up.

Rear-view mirror stickers could land you a £1,000 fine

Rear-view mirror stickers, ranked 57th among Temu’s popular car accessories, are often marketed as a way to personalise or add charm to your car interior. However, these decorations can obstruct the driver’s view, reducing visibility of the road behind.

Such obstructions can lead to dangerous blind spots, increasing the risk of accidents.

Harrison says: “If the stickers are deemed to seriously obstruct your view, drivers could face an on-the-spot fine of £100, or £1,000 if it goes to court.”

While these accessories might seem harmless and stylish, they are best avoided to ensure a clear and unobstructed view while driving.

What to buy instead from Temu:

To decorate your car more safely, why not add ornaments that sit on the air vents, or on the dashboard instead? Temu has mini astronauts that sit on the air vents - perfect for any space-mad kids. There’s also tiny ducks, and tiny plants that sit on the dashboard, which add fun decor without obstructing the view.

Unbranded children’s car seats have racked up 293 sales on Temu

The dangers don’t stop in the top 100 best-selling family car accessories. One of the most surprising items we found on Temu is children’s car seats. Although this item wasn’t in the top 100 best-selling ‘family car accessories’, the car seats have racked up 293 sales over 11 listings. They average at a price of £124.11. While the unbranded seats might seem like a bargain, their lack of certification is troubling. Unlike reputable brands, Temu’s offerings provide no evidence of meeting UK safety standards like i-Size (R129), which ensures crash-tested designs and side-impact protection.

Unverified seats pose serious risks: they may fail to withstand collisions, fit poorly in vehicles, or even be illegal under UK law. Only EU-approved, height-based child car seats can be used in the UK.

Harrison says: “These should have a label showing a capital ‘E’ in a circle and ‘R129’. If the car seat doesn’t have this, you could be fined £60 on the spot and be awarded a £500 fine if it goes to court.”

Parents might unknowingly put their children at risk, relying on products with no proven safety record. Always opt for certified car seats from recognised brands to guarantee compliance and protection for your family. Temu’s affordability in other categories shouldn’t tempt compromises on safety for young passengers.

What to buy instead from Temu:

A good accessory to car seats are the infant mirrors that sit on the back headrest of the car and allow you to see your infant whilst they rear-face. These are a good option to buy from Temu, and some even have handy 360^O rotating features!

Temu’s best car accessories for your family

Not all car accessories sold on Temu come with risks; there are plenty of items that offer practicality and convenience for families. These are the safe-bet car accessories to snap up on Temu:

• Car cleaning brushes: Many of these tools feature a clever design to make cleaning your car easier. Some come with long handles so you can keep on top of fog inside the car or get to hard-to-reach places on the car exterior.
• Phone mounts: A top pick for hands-free navigation, which could help you drive more safely if you use your phone for a sat nav. The average cost of these on Temu is £12.10 - 75% cheaper than elsewhere.
• Ice scrapers and snow/ice covers: These are essential for the winter, helping drivers’ clear ice and snow before their journey. Some of the ice scrapers found on Temu come with an ingenious round design that allows you to clear more ice in one swoop.
• Car bins: Averaging at £12.10, these bins are an easy way to keep on top of rubbish in your car - which we all know can easily accumulate when children are involved!

Car accessory safety checklist

Before buying a new accessory, or using it in your car, it’s important to check it’s both safe and legal. Here’s a quick checklist of things to look out for, according to Harrison:

• Check the accessory doesn’t obstruct your view of the road, mirrors or dashboard otherwise this might interfere with your visibility.
• Avoid distractions - ensure the accessory won’t divert your attention whilst driving, such as interior lights or dangling decorations.
• Check the items are safety certified. There are safety requirements that products must meet to be sold in the UK, such as UKCA and CE. For car seats, check if the seat has a R129 orange label; it should have a circle with an E, followed by a number to indicate which country the seat was tested in.
• Think about crash safety: could the accessory become a projectile in an accident?

At Family Car Deals, we have the very best family cars available. Packed with top tech and with large boots to provide oodles of space for your family’s essentials, you could find you rely less on car accessories as our cars have everything you need. Start your search today!

Methodology

We scraped the top 100 best-selling ‘family car accessories’ on Temu and uncovered the most dangerous or potentially illegal accessories. To find out the number of listings and sales of each product type, we searched the website for that product name and scraped the search results. The product types in the top 100 were:

• Phone mount
• Car organisers
• Car sticker
• Car decoration
• Seat/ Steering Wheel covers
• LED Lights
• Cleaning brushes for car
• Snow shield for front of car
• Air freshener
• Ice scraper
• Car bin
• Anti-fog film
• Infant mirror
• Round mirror for wing mirrors
• FM/USB Adaptors
• Shark fin antenna for exterior

To find the average cost of similar items outside of Temu, the costs from listings on Google Shopping were averaged. Data was scraped on the 28/11/24.