The UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal has ordered Porsche to continue trading with a luxury car parts reseller ahead of a decision on the latter’s standalone refusal to supply claim against the company.

Eurospares, which accuses Porsche of breaching competition rules by only allowing authorised dealers in its selective distribution network to supply its car parts, today won an interim injunction against the company from the CAT.

The specialist tribunal said Eurospares has a ”credible case” that it will suffer a “range of adverse effects” to its business, reputation, market share and competitive position if no injunction were granted.

Porsche’s claim that it will suffer “uncompensatable harm” if an injunction is granted is “less compelling”, the CAT said.

Anneli Howard KC, counsel to Eurospares, said during an injunction application hearing last month that Porsche’s conduct amounts to a “hardcore restriction” of competition rules, which is neither “necessary nor proportionate”.

The tribunal today accepted Eurospares’ evidence that the cessation of supplies for several months would likely cause a loss of profits that would be “very difficult to quantify” and “adequately compensate” in damages.

The CAT agreed that resellers and vehicle owners would be “incentivised to look elsewhere” for parts, meaning Eurospares would “lose its competitive edge”. Meanwhile, the loss of supply would have a “detrimental impact” on Eurospares’ online visibility, it added.

The tribunal said it is “doubtful” whether granting an interim injunction would cause “material damage” to Porsche as alleged, since the company had supplied Eurospares with “no apparent concerns” for several years.

Sarah Abram KC, counsel to Porsche, said Eurospares “does not have the technical know-how” to service its cars, meaning an interim injunction could cause “safety concerns”. The tribunal rejected this suggestion.

Tom Smith at Geradin Partners, counsel to Eurospares, said today’s judgment ensures the reseller can continue to buy genuine spare parts that it has “relied upon for nearly seven years”.

Porsche’s lawyers declined to comment.