After-accident repairs always present some frustration

The South African Motor Body Repairers’ Association (Sambra), an association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation representing almost 1 000 motor body repair businesses across South Africa and accounting for over 80% of all insured repair claims in the country, has issued an urgent alert to motorists that damage repairs may be delayed due to the current acute shortage of motor body repair components.

Richard Green, the national director of Sambra, said they have received notifications from several original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) advising that these supply constraints will continue for many months to come. Green assures motorists that Sambra members will do everything in their power to inform clients accurately when dealing with authorised repairs on the state and timing of the repair required.

“The situation is, however, totally out of our control. The supply constraints have affected the production of alternative parts in the same manner and we are finding that there has been a knock-on effect on the quality of available alternative parts,” he said. Green said the further dramatic increases in the cost of international cargo container logistics that increased fourfold over the last 12 months, have exacerbated the supply crisis.

He said Sambra will continue to liaise closely with insurers and OEMs on the status of certain critical parts and wherever possible, will repair rather than replace the part in question. “Developments in repair technology have advanced substantially over recent years, significantly improving the ability of our accredited Sambra members to repair metal and plastic panels on a motor vehicle,” he said.

Green strongly suggested that motorists who do not have hire car cover on their motor insurance policies, include it as a matter of urgency, as it is inevitable that vehicle repairs will take far longer than normal while manufacturers struggle to restore the part supply chain.

Source: Cathy Findley PR