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An illegal vehicle never becomes legal

vuyi on September 1, 2020

No matter how long you keep an illegal vehicle in your possession it never becomes legal, says Lee Dutton, Executive Director, International Vehicle Identification Desk (IVID) Southern Africa.

While some people who have bought an illegal vehicle try to register the vehicle as ‘built-up’ locally, their origins are invariably discovered over time and the vehicle seized
– Lee Dutton, Executive Director, International Vehicle Identification Desk (IVID) Southern Africa

In the light of a recent article issued by Business Against Crime (BAC)stating that all illegally imported vehicles are seized by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and are destroyed (compacted) by government, Dutton and the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI) are urging citizens not to even consider buying an illegal vehicle.

“While some people who have bought an illegal vehicle try to register the vehicle as ‘built-up’ locally, their origins are invariably discovered over time and the vehicle seized,” says Dutton. “At some point in time, in a road block or when given attention by the authorities for any reason, the owner will be asked to produce proof of the vehicle’s legitimacy. If it is foreign registered it may only remain in South Africa for a maximum of three months per annum, passports and proof of residence in the foreign state can be requested, likewise temporary import permits (TIPs).”

Jakkie Olivier, CEO of RMI, says it is a very complicated issue but ultimately the banning of imported vehicles into South Africa was done to protect local manufacturers. “We have seen cases in other countries where the import of foreign vehicles has decimated the local market.”

Often vehicles are brought into the country under the guise that they are only in transit heading onwards to another country.

He says often vehicles are brought into the country under the guise that they are only in transit heading onwards to another country. “But really they are being dumped in South Africa and sold illegally. There is also a cloning practice where the identity of a legitimate scrapped vehicle is stolen and used for a matching imported vehicle. We often see this with a specific model which has a direct impact on that model in the local market.”

According to an article by the Citizen online last year, SARS destroyed imported illegal vehicles valued close to R4 million as part of a clampdown on noncompliance in various customs sectors. “If you visit any state warehouse it will confirm the volume of vehicles seized by the SAPS and traffic officers then handed over to Customs to deal with,” says Dutton.

With some 87% of all used vehicle imports into the region using SA ports, the country continues to be the focal point for this trade. “The problem of controlling used vehicle imports and exports in the region continues to grow, despite various remedial actions taken since the late 1990s. Sadly successful, control regimes have been abandoned over time as the lessons leading to their introduction are forgotten due to high staff turnover, mostly due to re-organisation,” he says.

Stolen, undervalued, distressed and contraband vehicles being offered locally lead to additional cost to the fiscus, and a direct loss of income to the countries targeted. “While the fiscal loss involved in an illegal vehicle import is taken up as profit by those involved, local industry suffers indirectly, but the various States affected lose direct income. Five years ago, the loss to the Customs Union States was conservatively estimated at over R500m per annum. This number has probably grown substantially since then,” says Dutton.

If you are looking for a second-hand car, deal with a reputable, accredited dealer

While the problem persists, Olivier is urging motorists not to support this illegal activity and to buy ‘legal’. “If you are looking for a second-hand car, deal with a reputable, accredited dealer. We do see cases where buyers don’t intend to buy an illegal car but are duped by unscrupulous dealers. Make sure the vehicle is in good condition and get a second opinion if in doubt. A reputable dealer will be able to tell the difference between an illegal or cloned vehicle.”

Business Unity South Africa offers these additional tips:

Never buy a vehicle advertised or displayed with foreign number plates.
Never buy a vehicle that is registered in a foreign country – even our neighbouring countries. The probability of you being allowed to import the vehicle is very low.
Never buy a vehicle without a NaTIS registration certificate. If the vehicle is financed, the registration certificate will be at the bank and it will only be released if the vehicle is paid in full.
Check that the information on the registration certificate and/or license disc match with the information on the vehicle. Check that all the VIN/chassis numbers on the vehicle match each other and have not been tampered with.
Check for spelling mistakes on the registration certificate and that it is not a photo copy
It is strongly recommended that buyers of used motor vehicles should not buy a vehicle if a microdot confirmation certificate was not issued for the vehicle by a reputable accredited microdot fitment centre. All motor vehicles, locally manufactured or imported, registered for the first time in South Africa after 1 September 2012 must be microdotted. If a vehicle has not been fitted, it should be verified and fitted with microdots. The Second-Hand Goods Act, 2009 (Act No. 6 of 2009) makes it a requirement that second-hand motor vehicle dealers must record motor vehicle details, which includes the recording of the microdot particulars on the microdot. This makes the microdot information readily available to be verified.

“Simply, why bother to go to all the effort and risk, for a short-term gain, when a local vehicle holds its value better and can be legally disposed of,” concludes Dutton.

This article was first published by the RMI

Women determined to be the change the Automotive Industry needs: Part 5 – Meet Teresa Spenser-Higgs

vuyi on August 27, 2020

Five women in the automotive industry, all accredited members of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), a proud Association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), talk to us about what they love and don’t love about the industry, and how they see the industry evolving.
– ARTICLE COURTESY OF RETAIL MOTORING INDUSTRY ORGANIZATION (RMI)

“I landed in the industry when my husband opened a workshop and needed someone to do the office work,” she explains. “I guess I was really brought up in it though, as my father and grandfather were also in the industry. All my life I had to hold my own in conversation when the men were talking cars, so I always listened and asked questions.”

Most men think women know nothing about cars, but the industry is changing and women are more accepted today.
– Teresa Spenser-Higgs

“When people ask what I do I say it’s a bit like being a mom – I need to be able to do everything (other than fix my car myself). My friends of course think I lunch and have my nails done all day because I’m the boss’s wife, but that’s far from the truth. Instead it’s a combination of HR, industrial relations, debtors, creditors, spares, reception, first aid, marketing and social media, to name a few.”

Teresa loves the honesty of earning a living with your hands. “The muscles in our industry are as a result of hard work; they’re not crafted in a gym,” she says.

She has overcome discrimination with a sense of humour (and silently counting to 10).

“Most men think women know nothing about cars, but the industry is changing and women are more accepted today. They bring a different dynamic to the table. Men may head the industry in a lot of respects but women are the backbone; the infrastructure that allows the head to function properly.”

The future of the industry is exciting, Teresa says, and she is encouraged to see young women choosing related fields of study at colleges.

“There are many opportunities for women – just believe in yourself and don’t let someone else determine your value. It’s important to get your hands dirty while learning everything you can,” is her advice.

“Since I understand the challenges the average workshop faces, I want to be part of the solution and help the industry evolve.”

Women determined to be the change the Automotive Industry needs: Part 4 – Meet Angie Ledwaba

vuyi on August 27, 2020

Five women in the automotive industry, all accredited members of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), a proud Association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), talk to us about what they love and don’t love about the industry, and how they see the industry evolving.
– ARTICLE COURTESY OF RETAIL MOTORING INDUSTRY ORGANIZATION (RMI)

ANGIE LEDWABA, owner of RA Motors, Polokwane, believes more women should be studying mechanical engineering so that they can make the motor industry “more beautiful and less complicated” for future generations.

“Women are such creative and colourful beings, I am confident we can transform the industry all on our own,” she says.

People are flabbergasted by the fact that I am a business owner in such a male-dominated industry,” she says.
– Angie Ledwaba, Owner of RA Motors

Angie admits she has had to develop a thick skin to ward off discrimination, but she actually finds the industry fascinating because it is male-dominated.

“I managed my brother’s workshop for 10 years before buying my own, so now I almost feel like I’m giving back in a way. People are flabbergasted by the fact that I am a business owner in such a male-dominated industry,” she says.

Women determined to be the change the Automotive Industry needs: Part 2 – Meet Sebola Mahura

“Many don’t take you seriously because they believe they can’t get professional help from a woman. I’ve been discriminated against by dealers who have been in business for a long time, as well as the government and private sectors.”

Angie would like to see more educational workshops being offered to expose women to career opportunities in the industry, and she wants to own an engineering company where she can upskill people in mechanical engineering and then employ them.

Lost Means Cost – Replacing your lost car key

vuyi on August 26, 2020

Replacing a lost car key used to be simple – you’d take the spare to your local key cutter and for about R250 you could have a copy made. These days, however, it’s a different story.
– Article courtesy of retail motor industry organization

Replacing a lost car key used to be simple – you’d take the spare to your local key cutter and for about R250 you could have a copy made. These days, however, it’s a different story.

Not only does the modern car key start your car, it can also unlock the doors remotely and provides extra security thanks to transponder technology. All of this is great news until you lose or damage your keys – and discover you’re up for hefty replacement costs.

Many car owners have no idea how much their keys are worth until they lose one
– Dewald Ranft, National Chairman of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA)

“Many car owners have no idea how much their keys are worth until they lose one,” says Dewald Ranft, National Chairman of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), a proud association of the Retail Motor Industry Organization (RMI). Most people are shocked when they discover a replacement key could cost thousands of Rands and, if you don’t have a spare, keep you grounded for a day or two.

Ranft says the cost of a single replacement key ranges from R2 000 to R4 500 and the price for keys for an exotic car can even be higher. A new key needs to be ordered, cut and coded which could mean up to a full day or more off the road. “A high price for losing something you have to carry with you on most days,” he says.

While the cost of a single replacement key is high, if you lose all the keys to your car, the costs and time off the road will increase significantly, particularly if the car’s computer has to be reset or completely replaced to match the new replacement keys.

“One could easily be quoted anything from R10 000 to more than R20 000 for work done on various models of cars,” he says.

Many people are simply unaware there’s an alternative should you find yourself ‘keyless
– Dewald Ranft, National Chairman of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA)

Independent industry experts are of the opinion that increasingly complicated technology used in car accessories, including keys, may be a sales growth area for businesses selling vehicles, but it can be a high-tech headache for car owners.

Accredited independent aftermarket workshops, like MIWA accredited workshops, offer a legitimate alternative service to cut and recode modern car keys for most car models at a very competitive cost. “An added bonus,” says Ranft, “is that they can, in most cases, assist vehicle owners immediately, which means you avoid the hassle of down time or being without a vehicle for more than a day.”

Most MIWA accredited workshops have worked with modern car keys since their introduction to the South African market. They have the equipment and parts so there is no risk to the owner. “Many people are simply unaware there’s an alternative should you find yourself ‘keyless’,” he says.

Ranft says many MIWA shops carry genuine keys and also stock after-market keys which may look different to the original but work as well and cost less. Some workshops even carry diagnostic tools that can help reset the car’s computer if both keys are lost.

So the best advice from MIWA:

Don’t ever have just one key? If you’re buying a car, be sure to ask about the keys before you sign on the dotted line.
Smart but not strong – It’s a fact – keys wear out developing faults or even breaking. Sometimes a repair is an option and not a total replacement. The two most common problems are water damage and keys that have been dropped.
Remember you have options – Either speak to your current dealer to manage the replacement or if you prefer, and once you have checked your warranty won’t be affected if you select an alternate workshop, approach any of our accredited MIWA workshops across the country to replace the missing key.

The Importance of Timeous Vehicle Maintenance

vuyi on July 17, 2020

A proverb reading, “the squeaky wheel gets oiled,” can be applied to your car maintenance.

Paying attention to obvious niggles that occur during daily trips can avoid disappointment and save money.

Dewald Ranft, National Chairman of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), a proud association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), points out the importance of timeous car maintenance. “Rather than leaving a small issue to develop into an inconvenient breakdown, always be alert for any tell-tale niggles. Attending to minor maintenance issues pro-actively, can avoid extensive collateral damage to other parts,” he says.

He advises motorists to stay alert for warning signs in some of the most common areas like brakes, tyre care, warning signals, windscreen damage, steering mechanism, oil consumption, radiator, starter motor and fuel economy.

Warning signs to take heed of:

1. Brake Pads

Although most modern cars have sensors to warn a driver when brake pads are due for replacement, one should take note of other warning signs. When brakes tend to squeak or develop a grinding sound, get this checked out by a professional mechanic as a matter of urgency. In addition to brakes being an essential safety feature for any vehicle, worn brake pads can cause expensive damage to the brake discs. “The more serious and costly result when ignored, would be brake failure at a critical moment,” says Ranft.

2. Tyre Care

Uneven wear can be an indication of alignment or suspension issues, especially if there is vibration on the steering wheel while cruising on an even surface. Have it checked out urgently to avoid more damage. A sensible practice would also be to rotate the tyres according to the manufacturer’s specifications every time the car has an oil change or regular service.

Attending to minor maintenance issues pro-actively, can avoid extensive collateral damage to other parts
– Dewald Ranft, National Chairman of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA

3. Warning signals

Different models have various alert systems, enabling a driver to act swiftly and attend to mechanical or electronic issues. Be knowledgeable about the signals and warning lights by studying the owner’s manual. Any uncertainty about warning signals should be taken up with a professional mechanic.

4. Windscreen damage

Depending on the kind of windscreen make, a small crack can grow and cause a safety hazard. Ensure timely replacement of damaged windscreens. Most insurance packages make it quick and easy to resolve.

5. Steering mechanism

A shaking steering wheel while travelling at reasonable speed needs to be checked out. It might only take a simple adjustment of wheel balancing to fix the problem. Should there be noticeable movement on the steering wheel at very low speed or even when the car is idling, it could be suspension or wheel bearing issues.

Stay alert for warning signs in some of the most common areas like brakes, tyre care, warning signals…

6. Oil consumption

An oil light grabbing your attention is a no brainer to take action. But a more subtle symptom would be a gradual increase in oil consumption. This could also be accompanied by less perky performance by the vehicle. Get a reputable mechanic to check out the basics by replacing the oil and oil filters. It also pays in the long run to use high quality oil brands.

7. Leaky radiator

Hot steam coming out of Radiator, Car engine over heat.

It is important to keep the radiator in tip top condition. Any signs of leakage could be attributed to corrosion. The best medicine would be to replace the unit and avoid any overheating, which could cause major and expensive engine damage.

8. Starter motor

Any signs of the starter mechanism playing up will need urgent attention. There could be a wide variety of causes that would need to be assessed by a professional. The root of the problem could be with the motor mechanism itself, a number of electrical issues or damage to the solenoid. Because it is all but impossible to predict when the starter motor would finally say its goodbyes, a professional assessment and resolution should be completed sooner than later.

9. Fuel economy

During lockdown some motorists boasted they were getting ‘two months per tank’. Ironically during the time when we were unable to travel, fuel prices also plummeted to record lows. And now that we can travel again, prices are rising. Therefore, we need to avoid unnecessary high fuel consumption. Apart from sensible driving habits that can reduce excessive consumption, a few other measures can be applied:

• check tyre pressure regularly to be in line with the carload and road conditions;

• keep to regular prescribed service intervals;

• ensure that the fuel cap locks tightly;

• avoid unnecessary idling;

• when driving, use the highest possible gear, without labouring the engine;

• fill up with the manufacturer’s prescribed fuel and oil type; and

• reduce drag and excessive weight;

Ranft concludes that sustained maintenance will ensure that car owners can have peace of mind when taking to the road. Keeping a vehicle in good shape, particularly now, makes good economic sense and ensures safety for the owner and passengers.