4 things you need to know about your Right to Repair
With many South Africans living through the harsh economic effects brought on by COVID_19, the Right to Repair campaign has been warmly welcomed by consumers and the public at large.
Cars in lockdown: Keep an eye on your service schedule
Whether you rely on an old-school service booklet in your cubbyhole or a clever onboard system that displays a notification on your car’s instrument cluster, it’s important to keep a close eye on service schedules in order to not miss an important workshop visit.
With the effects of the pandemic still impacting regular commuting patterns and social distancing measures resulting in alternative work arrangements, many South African drivers simply aren’t accumulating the same distances as they were pre-Covid 19.
While lower mileages do come with the potential of increased vehicle trade-in or resale values further down the road, they also mean that servicing routines have been thrown out of kilter for those drivers who normally reach distance allowances before allotted time intervals.
There have been a number of recent instances at NADA member dealers where customers have missed their service deadlines
– Mark Dommisse, Chairperson of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA)
Whether you rely on an old-school service booklet in your cubbyhole or a clever onboard system that displays a notification on your car’s instrument cluster, it’s important to keep a close eye on service schedules in order to not miss an important workshop visit.
“There have been a number of recent instances at NADA member dealers where customers have missed their service deadlines,” said Mark Dommisse, Chairperson of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA). “In many of these cases, it’s because vehicle owners are driving less, and they aren’t aware that service schedules are based on a combination of distance and time allowances.
Where possible, these dealers and respective Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) will work with customers to reach amenable solutions, but it’s important for owners to know that the responsibility for servicing their vehicles at the right time lies with them.”
It’s also important to remember that service intervals are not standardized across all vehicles and vehicle brands
– MARK DOMMISSE, CHAIRPERSON OF THE NATIONAL AUTOMOBILE DEALERS’ ASSOCIATION (NADA)
Depending on which carmaker is involved, and by how much a service deadline is missed, failure to adhere to your car’s service schedule can result in various penalties.
In very minor cases it’s possible that a respective OEM will overlook the lapse as a gesture of goodwill, but this is a leeway that certainly should not be relied upon as a get-out-of-jail-free scenario.
Various brands will handle lapse situations differently, but generally speaking, a failure to have your vehicle serviced on time can make warranties and/or service plans immediately voidable. In certain instances, these can be reinstated with an extensive vehicle check – at a customer’s expense – but in severe cases, a completely voided warranty can have a devastating impact on the value of your asset. If your car is financed there may be further implications, as vehicle maintenance forms part of the loan terms agreed with your bank.
Today’s dealers will often call customers ahead of planned services, but this is an added courtesy and should not be relied upon
– MARK DOMMISSE, CHAIRPERSON OF THE NATIONAL AUTOMOBILE DEALERS’ ASSOCIATION (NADA)
“It’s also important to remember that service intervals are not standardized across all vehicles and vehicle brands,” added Dommisse. “It appears there may be a common misconception that schedules are set at 15,000km or one year, regardless of what vehicle you drive and this is definitely not true. I recommend familiarizing yourself with your particular vehicle’s service schedule, either by looking in your owner’s manual or service booklet or by calling your nearest franchise dealership for information.
“Today’s dealers will often call customers ahead of planned services, but this is an added courtesy and should not be relied upon. Again, the onus of meeting maintenance deadlines falls solely on the customer. Even if your car is out of plan, it’s a good idea to keep on top of vehicle upkeep. Not only will this potentially increase its value, but it’s also good for the health of your car.”
NADA is a constituent association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI).
What are Shock Absorbers?
Your shock absorbers are critical safety components on your car and can be classified into two basic types:
- Standalone shocks that attach to the vehicle suspension and frame
- Shock-absorber cartridges that are integrated into a suspension strut
Some cars have struts in the front and individual shocks in the rear. If this is the case, it’s possible to replace the rear shocks with the help of a friend who knows what they’re doing, but it’s safer to have your shock absorbers replaced by a professional.
The purpose of Shock Absorbers
Shock absorbers limit overall vehicle body movement or sway. They support the springs in your car ensuring they don’t rebound on impact over rough surfaces. In this way they absorb and level out jolts to your car. They also do the job of keeping your tyres in contact with the road at all times.
Symptoms of worn Shocks Absorbers
Your tyres and shocks work together so if your shocks are worn your tyres do not grip the road firmly. As shocks gradually wear out you unconsciously adjust your driving to compensate. You may only notice the decreased efficiency when your car struggles to hold the road while cornering or braking quickly.
Your shock absorbers are worn and require replacement if you experience:
- Vibrations while driving
- A tapping sound while driving caused by cracked bushing at attachment points
- Swerving or nose diving when braking
- Longer braking time
- Uneven tyre wear
- Leaking fluid
What to do about worn Shock Absorbers
New cars are fitted with original equipment shock absorbers while on the auto-manufacturer’s production line and are sourced from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). Worn shocks will be replaced by the dealership as long as it is within the vehicle’s warranty period.
If you experience problems after your vehicle’s warranty has expired before the next service is due, visit a reputable auto fitment centre affiliated to the Retail Motor Industry (RMI) and who comply with its codes of conduct and Consumer Protection Act guidelines.
The benefit of fitting shock absorbers at a reliable fitment centre with a national footprint is that should any problems arise, you can have it resolved at any of the branches, wherever you happen to be in the country.
Extract from an article published by SupaQuick South Africa
Online car sales in South Africa: What’s possible, what’s not and why
There is both good and bad news for those hoping to click a webpage button and see a new car magically appear a few days later.
Johannesburg, 17 August 2020: Online shopping trends were on an upward trajectory long before the pandemic. Enforced national lockdown saw South Africans investigating how to buy toilet paper and pool chlorine from the comfort and safety of their couches.
The rise in popularity of many existing and new online shopping platforms has fueled the notion that buying cars in similar manner will soon be a reality. Is it possible to buy a car online from start to finish and have it delivered to your driveway without ever leaving home? Yes, but it was prior to COVID-19 and only under exceptional circumstances.
According to Mark Dommisse, Chairman of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA), there is both good and bad news for those hoping to click a webpage button and see a new car magically appear a few days later.
“Many local car brands are currently advertising new methods for South Africans to browse, and in some cases even buy, their next car from home. While these tools are very handy, there are limitations to how far you can travel along this buying journey, despite clever wording which may imply otherwise,” says Dommisse.
… there are some simple reasons why e-commerce and car sales just don’t gel as a realistic option…
– Mark Dommisse, Chairman of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA)
The fact is these new services offer an elegant way for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and dealers to cast a wider net on a bigger audience, together with convenient solutions for willing participants within that audience. But the progression of any deal will ultimately trickle down to a final transaction between buyer and seller at dealer level.
For most a new or used car is the second highest expense after housing costs, so committing to a large purchase such as this is obviously a bit more complex than ordering a new kettle from Takealot. If your kettle arrives by courier a few days after you enter credit card details and click Buy on your laptop, and you’re not happy with it for whatever reason, you simply return it and get a refund.
Online transactions are governed by the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA) and it is here that matters such as offer and acceptance, as well as final delivery are regulated
– MARK DOMMISSE, CHAIRMAN OF THE NATIONAL AUTOMOBILE DEALERS’ ASSOCIATION (NADA)
Besides the fact that kettles don’t come with a myriad upholstery options, optional features, engine choices and paint finishes, they also don’t often come with mandatory insurance, finance plans, FICA requirements and large price tags. More importantly, it’s unlikely you’d be trading in your old kettle, and this process would certainly require some physical interaction to facilitate – as it does with vehicle trade ins.
“While new digital technologies have, and will continue to accelerate and streamline car buying in South Africa, there are some simple reasons why e-commerce and car sales just don’t gel as a realistic option in the foreseeable future,” says Dommisse.
“While there’s no doubt that for some a car is just an appliance, and the smell of leathers, face-to-face interactions and the feel of steering and gear shifts on test drives don’t rank very highly on importance scales, the vast majority of car shoppers would prefer the touch, feel and smell of a genuine showroom experience, or at least to inspect the goods they’re committing to.
“Then there are the nitty-gritty regulations which take the wind out of the sails of the pure online car buying fantasy. Technically all transactions in South Africa, other than for property, can be concluded with a simple offer and acceptance. But online transactions are governed by the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA) and it is here that matters such as offer and acceptance, as well as final delivery are regulated”.
The Act is designed for items that are extremely standard and understood by customers – such as a kettle. When it comes to special orders or anything where specifications are set by the consumer, the goods will only be suitable for use or enjoyment by that consumer in particular. Cars often come with many specifiable options, accessories and bolt-on value add products, which would force number of protections generally afforded to consumers by the Act to be excluded.
