Don’t get hoodwinked by crooked second-hand car dealers
The South African insurance Association has confirmed that it will formally open its Vehicle Salvage Database to the public.
![CCC](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2022/04/ccc-780x470.jpg)
WITH the announcement that the South African Insurance Association (SAIA) will formally open its Vehicle Salvage Database (VSD) to the public there will be fewer written-off vehicles finding their way back into the market and being bought by an unsuspecting soul.
The Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), welcomes the recent announcement by SAIA confirming it will formally open its Vehicle Salvage Database (VSD) to the public.
ALSO READ: SA government to destroy illegally imported vehicles
Jakkie Olivier, Chief Executive Officer of the RMI, says the announcement follows four years of intense lobbying by the South African Motor Body Repairers’ Association (SAMBRA), a proud association of the RMI, for the South African Insurance Association (SAIA) to release more information to the market with regard to the status of written-off vehicles.
“We know that without a register to refer to, which importantly also includes written off code 2 (second hand) Vin numbers, there is no way of stopping these previously written off cars from finding themselves back into the system,” Olivier says.
He agreed with SAIA that there were still important discussions to be held around the inherent risks associated with data security and potential misuse of the information.
ALSO READ: Do not cancel your car insurance
He did however stress the urgency of the process. “Every day lost in discussion is one in which a potential life-threatening vehicle is making its way back onto the second-hand market, only to be purchased by an unsuspecting and poorly advised consumer.
Up until now, the industry and consumers have been powerless to protect their rights. These vehicles, deemed uneconomical to repair by Insurers, are purchased at salvage yard auctions and in almost all cases, repaired without regard for the safety of the next driver and occupants, often even without replacing the airbags that were deployed in the accident! This presents a significant risk to motorists.” Olivier said.
SAMBRA and the RMI would be hosting an event on 19 May in Johannesburg for all the various role players to help drive the process forward.
“We will be watching the progress carefully and will continue to lobby for information to be made available. Consumers and motorists have a right to be informed on issues which impact road safety and save lives,” concludes Olivier.
* Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news
Dear reader, As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za) Do you want to receive alerts regarding this and other Highway community news via Telegram? Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409. You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Telegram number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts. Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.