SAMBRA Archives - Heels & Horsepower Magazine

Why do modern cars crumple up when they crash?

vuyi on January 27, 2022

A car which has been involved in a high impact collision usually resembles a crumpled up piece of paper, making you wonder if you wouldn’t have been safer in a car that had remained more rigid.

Imagine jumping from a significant height and keeping your legs straight when landing? That wouldn’t be very comfortable as there would be nothing to absorb the shock. If however, you attempted the same jump and landed with your knees slightly bent you’d most likely experience a slightly softer landing.

The difference between the two jumps would be the bent knees which help absorb impact upon landing.

The same principle applies when you have a car accident. Of course, stepping out of a vehicle that looks much like a crumpled piece of tissue is sure to make you wonder just how safe you are. Most of us would feel more secure if we believed we had the protection of a rigid, unyielding tank. But, in fact, the opposite is true.

Why Manufacturers Develop Crumple Zones

According to Richard Green, National Director of SAMBRA (South African Motor Body Repairers Association) an association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), most car manufacturers develop crumple zones on automobiles because they help absorb the shock of an impact.

Crumple zones also help absorb the force of the impact within the crumple zone, rather than being transferred to the safety cell which envelopes the occupants of the car.

This is a delicate balancing act as Green points out. “On the one hand, a car’s frame has to be strong enough to resist a certain amount of force, but too much resistance may lead to injury for the car’s inhabitants. Getting this balance right means considering the size and weight of the vehicle.

You also need to think about the force that may arise if a car collides with a moving object as opposed to a stationary one. All of these dynamics must be taken into account,” Green explains.

He adds that it’s not all up to the vehicle manufacturer. The driver and passenger also have a role to play, by ensuring they are wearing seatbelts. “If not, the idea of a safety cell is compromised, because no matter how carefully a car’s crumple zones are designed, it is inevitable that some force will remain unabsorbed. However, when you wear your seatbelt, you make sure that this is mitigated as far as possible.”

This raises another question.

If crumple zones ensure that most of the force of impact is absorbed or at least directed away from those inside the car, why not make the whole car a crumple zone? The answer to this, Green says, is because the ceilings, floors, and doors folding on the passengers would spell certain disaster.

“The crumple zones are usually located at the front and back of the car, while the passenger cabin is far more rigid. Where crumple zones handle external force, airbags ensure the driver and passenger do not make contact, upon impact, with the rigid dashboard or steering wheel inside the car,” he says.

Crumple Zone & Safety Cage

The capsule in which inhabitants sit – the safety cage – is also reinforced with pillars running the length of the car (from floor to ceiling), side-impact bars, the roof, and the floor itself.

These features ensure that the safety cage maintains its shape in the event of a collision.

Side impact bars in a car Image Credit: SKODA

Crumple zones have been a key part of car design since as far back as 1932 and were first introduced by Bela Barenyi, an engineer for Mercedes- Benz. Although cars have obviously changed and evolved dramatically since then, Barenyi’s concept of a vehicle sectioned into a rigid central zone surrounded by the front and back crumple zones remains unchanged.

Numerous tests have shown that a crumple zone can stop a car upon collision in 0.2 seconds as opposed to 0.1 seconds if the car, theoretically, did not have crumple zones. In this scenario, the crumple zone therefore literally cuts the force of the crash in half. This means that you have very little to worry about if your car is severely damaged in a crash.

The idea of such an expensive item folding in on itself in this manner can be quite disconcerting, but for your safety, this is precisely what your car should do if you are to remain as safe as possible.” Green concludes.

Source: Press release prepared on behalf of SAMBRA by Cathy Findley PR

Tips To Ensure You Don’t Buy A Write-Off

vuyi on July 7, 2021

To the untrained eye, pre-owned cars may look roadworthy, but on closer examination one may be shocked to learn just how many cars on some dealership floors are write-offs.

Over the past two years, the South African Motor Body Repairers’ Association (SAMBRA), has campaigned to have cars that have been written off as a result of being critically damaged from being repaired and resold to the unsuspecting public.

Richard Green, National Director of the South African Motor Body Repairers’ Association (SAMBRA) has repeatedly stated that currently, there is no way for the public to verify if a car has been previously written off in an accident.

Until such a time as the South African Insurance Association (SAIA) makes information relating to a vehicle’s accident history available to the public, the public will remain at risk of unknowingly purchasing cars that have been written off.

Should you be on the market for a pre-owned car, it is vital that you have it professionally assessed. Green advises consumers as follows:

Never buy a vehicle without physically checking it and taking it for a test drive. Turn off the radio when driving it and listen to any tell-tale noises which may alert you to mechanical and other faults.
Never purchase a vehicle that does not have a full-service history from a reputable service provider.
Insist on getting an independent dealer or repairer to assess the vehicle further. You can find a list of accredited South African Motor Body Repairers’ Association (SAMBRA)service providers on the Retail Motor Industry (RMI) website. The same applies should you be purchasing the vehicle from a private seller. A legitimate seller should not take issue with your suggestion of bringing in an independent assessor.
Spend time reading previous customer reviews about the dealership you intend to purchase your car from.

Remember that accredited SAMBRA members adhere to strict criteria and service levels designed to protect themselves as well as customers.

Sources: BusinessTech and Retail Motor Industry

Buying a Pre-Owned Car: What You See Is Not Necessarily What You Get

vuyi on July 1, 2021

For many South Africans, buying a car means freedom but many vehicles, which have been written off re ‘repaired’ and sold to unsuspecting people. Richard Green, National Director of SAMBRA weighs in on this illegal practice

Buying a second-hand car can be an exciting purchase and a good economical decision provided there are no surprises. Typically, the reliability of a second-hand car is at the forefront of most buyers’ minds. Meanwhile, to others, the fear of purchasing a vehicle that was previously involved in a serious accident could be that deal-breaker.

Cars that have been severely damaged are often repaired and end up back on the road, but the quality of the repair job and the severity of the damage play a huge part in ensuring the safety and roadworthiness of a vehicle.

There is no way of checking if a car has been written off previously in an accident
– Richard Green, National Director of the South African Motor Body Repairers’ Association (SAMBRA)

Richard Green, National Director of the South African Motor Body Repairers’ Association (SAMBRA), an association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI) says the problem in South Africa is that there is no way of checking if a car has been written off previously in an accident making it difficult for consumers to access if the showroom-condition car they bought is exactly what it claims to be.

Green share a story of a customer who brought in a two-year-old Nissan into a SAMBRA Repair Shop in Bela Bela. With just 28 267km on the clock, the owner had no idea her vehicle had been in an accident previously and had been so poorly repaired that it was structurally unsafe.

“The front body bumper absorber, which is a structural and stabilizing component in most cars, (and this case forms part of the front cradle panel), had been heated or welded together so poorly that the metal strength had been compromised. This had resulted in rust developing in the panel – a sign of early metal fatigue. As it forms part of the crumple zone of a vehicle, the panel should have been replaced with a new part,” Green said.

There were numerous many other serious repair faults on the car too, but the consumer in question had no way of checking the history of the car. “Not only does this have serious legal and cost ramifications, but it talks to the safety of motorists and a growing pool of un-roadworthy and perhaps even stolen vehicles on our roads,” says Green.

If the South African Insurance Association would agree to make write-off information available buyers would be better informed

RICHARD GREEN, NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MOTOR BODY REPAIRERS’ ASSOCIATION (SAMBRA)

“If the South African Insurance Association (SAIA) would agree to make write-off information available on a public register where the VIN of a vehicle could be checked; buyers would be better informed before making a decision to purchase a used car.

Currently, write-off information is routinely forwarded to SAIA from all insurance companies. SAIA then creates a Vehicle Salvage Data (VSD) system which contains information on salvage vehicles. These are vehicles that have been deregistered by the respective insurers and thus declared salvage after policyholders have been indemnified of their motor claims. A vehicle is considered salvage by the insurance industry if it is written-off following, for instance, a motor accident.

By not making the information publicly available, SAIA is enabling the very two things they claim to be attempting to avoid.
– RICHARD GREEN, NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MOTOR BODY REPAIRERS’ ASSOCIATION (SAMBRA)

SAIA however, argues that making the database public, would not only be unlawful, but would allow criminals to have access to the entire motoring insurance industry database of scrapped vehicle VINs, leading to a dramatic increase in false financing and insurance of cloned vehicles.

The reality however, is that “uneconomical to repair” cars continue to be bought by fraudsters and syndicates on salvage yards – complete with Code 2 papers. In many instances they are then poorly repaired before being sold to dealers and unsuspecting consumers who have no way of checking the bona fide history of their second-hand purchase. The papers of these same vehicles are also being used to re-register stolen vehicles as bona fide 2nd hand (code 2) vehicles.

Consumers would be better empowered and enabled through the access to additional data on a used vehicle.
– RICHARD GREEN, NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MOTOR BODY REPAIRERS’ ASSOCIATION (SAMBRA)

“In essence, by not making the information publicly available, SAIA is enabling the very two things they claim to be attempting to avoid – criminal activity and an impact on the safety of motorists,” Green concluded.

TransUnion’s Kriben Reddy states that being unable to verify if a vehicle has been previously written off, is a significant problem as many vehicles are being cloned, especially in a consumer-to-consumer environment. “Consumers would be better empowered and enabled through the access to additional data on a used vehicle. As it stands consumers’ access to additional information is limited,” says Reddy.

It seems clear the conversation is not over and there is merit for all parties to revisit a system that is clearly not working.

Soure: Automobil Magazine, RMI

Do You Know the History of your Second-Hand Car?

vuyi on October 14, 2020

Insurers routinely ‘write off’ vehicles and these vehicles are sold within a salvage contract to auction yards
– Richard Green, National Director of SAMBRA

The South African Motor Body Repairers’ Association (SAMBRA), an Association of the Retail Motor Industry (RMI), is concerned about the lack of information available to the market with regards to the status of second-hand vehicles.

Richard Green, National Director of SAMBRA, says at present there is no way for a consumer to find out if the second-hand vehicle they are purchasing has been previously written off. “Not only does this have serious legal and cost ramifications, but it talks to the safety of motorists and a growing pool of unroadworthy and perhaps even stolen vehicles on our roads,” says Green.

According to Green, insurers routinely ‘write off’ vehicles and these vehicles are sold within a salvage contract to auction yards.

“While there is nothing wrong with this on face value, the problem comes in when these vehicles, still registered as Code 2 (the description for a used car) are sold to any buyer willing to pay the highest price on auction. In many cases, these vehicles are bought by dubious repairers and sold back into the system for a good profit via digital sales platforms or unsuspecting used car traders. This is where the system goes awfully wrong as the second unsuspecting buyers often ends up with a vehicle that has previously been written off by an insurer, deemed uneconomical to repair. It also has not been reclassified as a Code 3 vehicle and the purchaser has no way of checking the history.”

Most vehicles stolen by professional thieves have a high value and are never recovered
– RICHARD GREEN, NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF SAMBRA

Further problems

The other problem facing the industry is if the cars are not repaired and sold on, they can be bought by hijacking syndicates.

“Most vehicles stolen by professional thieves have a high value and are never recovered, as they’re either stripped for parts and the bodies dumped or re-birthed under new identities. These written off vehicles provides the perfect foil for this illegal activity. The severely damaged vehicles are bought on auction to obtain Code 2 registration documents which are then used to re-register stolen vehicles. The VIN and engine numbers on the stolen or hijacked vehicle is changed to match the “written off” vehicles papers and the scrapped licence plates are used on the stolen car. For the unsuspecting buyer it is almost impossible to check the validity of his car papers,” says Green.

Green adds that it is for these reasons that SAMBRA have requested SAIA (South African Insurance Association) to make this information available in the form of the VIN number of the vehicle so that consumers can be properly informed prior to making a used car purchase decision.

The information is routinely forwarded to SAIA from all insurance companies yet the request to SAIA has been denied to date. SAMBRA believes a formal, publicly accessible write off register will minimise the illegal use of vehicle identifiers in the re-birthing of stolen vehicles and in curtailing stolen vehicle parts being used in the repair of damaged vehicles. It will also help eliminate unsafe vehicles for unsuspecting purchasers.

“Practically, if there is not a market for these cars, the practice will have to slow down,” he says.

“Access to the write-off register is the only way one can check those repairable written-off vehicles don’t contain stolen parts and it is the only way to take severely damaged vehicles off the road permanently. We need that “write off’ register as a vehicle remains on the register for the rest of its life, even if it’s repaired or ownership is transferred,” concludes Green.

5 top tips for preserving the paint on your car

vuyi on October 1, 2020

There are several ways common household items and materials can destroy car paint
– Richard Green, national director of the South African Motor Body Repair Association (SAMBRA)

It is not only vintage car enthusiasts who spend hours buffing and polishing their “babies” on a weekend. Most people love their cars, whether it is because they are a symbol of success or whether they want to keep them in tip-top shape to pass onto their children.

Whatever the reason you are spending a lot of time keeping your car shiny and new, Richard Green, national director of the South African Motor Body Repair Association (SAMBRA), a proud association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI) says it is important not to damage the paintwork.

He explains that automotive paint not only plays an integral role from an aesthetic point of view, but also aids in rust prevention. It is fairly easy to damage the paintwork, hence the importance Green places on being aware of what materials you use to clean your car.

“There are several ways common household items and materials can destroy car paint from the surface down to the bare metal, resulting in serious damage,” he warns.

Here are 5 top tips for preserving the paint on your car:

DON’T clean your car with dirty cloths. The dirt will stick to the paint and scratch it as you clean, causing hairline scratches all over the bodywork. Instead, rinse your car to get rid of dirt particles before you start cleaning and always clean with a soft, clean cloth or sponge.
DON’T let bird poop dry on your car as it contains several acidic components which can stain the surface. Instead, try to wipe bird poop off before it dries with a clean, wet cloth and a dedicated carwash product. Also avoid rubbing the spot because seed particles in bird poop can scratch the surface.
DON’T park your car near an area where construction is taking place. The cement, falling rocks and dust can ruin the paint and even cause damage. Instead, remove cement when it is still wet. Trying to remove dry cement with a sharp object is just asking for trouble. Rather approach an accredited professional from the South African Motor Body Repairers Association to solve the problem.
DON’T allow any petrol to be spilled on your car when filling up your tank as it can dis-colour the paintwork and leave permanent stains. Instead, wax your car several times a year after you have had it washed as this makes it easier to clean these types of spills up without damaging your car.
DON’T forget the damaging effect the salty air of coastal regions can have on your paintwork. Salt makes your vehicle more susceptible to rust and speeds up corrosion. Instead, wash your car often if you live at the coast and wax it several times a year to build up a protective layer for the paintwork.

Another item commonly used for cleaning cars is dishwashing liquid, but this is not a good idea.
– RICHARD GREEN, NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MOTOR BODY REPAIR ASSOCIATION (SAMBRA)

Green says these are some of the more common ways paintwork is damaged, but there are also some unusual things people do for fun which are not paint friendly.

“In the name of fun, people slather things like silly string, mustard, shoe polish, eggs and shaving cream all over cars. It may be a good laugh for those carrying out the fun, but not such a hoot for the owner of the car when they realise all these items damage paintwork,” he said.

“Shaving cream and shoe polish contain chemicals which can leave permanent marks and eggs are acidic enough to eat through paintwork in a short time, especially if left to dry overnight. I recommend spot cleaning with a dedicated carwash product diluted in water or a full carwash if the car is badly covered in any of these substances.”

Another item commonly used for cleaning cars is dishwashing liquid, but Green adds this is not a good idea. “If your car is regularly waxed, dishwashing liquid will remove the thin protective wax layer. It is very harsh on paintwork and not very kind to rubber either, so rather stay clear.”

He concludes that not all car cleaning products are all-purpose and the wrong product could damage the paint, clear coat or other finishes.

“If you are in doubt about any substance or material which has caused damage, always seek the advice of an accredited professional from the South African Motor Body Repairers Association to help you restore your vehicle’s paint job to its former glory,” Green concludes.

Your chassis is the most powerful structure in your car

vuyi on September 1, 2020

Richard Green, national director of the South African Motor Body Repair Association (SAMBRA), says many motorists believe the engine is a vehicle’s toughest attribute when, in fact, the chassis is where the true strength lies – in collisions especially.
– article courtesy of retail motor industry organization (RMI)

The chassis is best described as the vehicle’s frame onto which its many parts are mounted.

Did you know, for example, that even car seats mount directly to the chassis? The bigger the vehicle the stronger the chassis needs to be on which to fasten the parts. Trucks, for example, are made up of thousands of parts.

The engine of the vehicle is bolted into the chassis too and the various body panels also bolted in to hold their shape. “The chassis, often overlooked as the ‘powerhouse’ of vehicle design, endures incredible stresses and strains on a day-to-day basis. For example, it has to cope with the movement of the wheels, carry the weight of the body, fuel and passengers and take some serious knocks from road hazards,” Green says.

“But the most important aspect of chassis design is protecting life – the chassis must absorb and distribute crash energy to help a car to stay in one piece and preserve the shape of the driver and passenger cabin. Not to downplay the importance of other safety features, like airbags, braking systems and seat belts, but the chassis is a very important safety structure.”

Green adds that while a chassis is fundamental to safety, in a serious accident its ability to absorb the impact will not guarantee the occupants walk away unscathed, but it can increase their chances of survival.

There are two types of chassis: ladder-style body-on-frame chassis and unibody chassis

Two types of chassis most used:

Ladder-style body-on-frame chassis
Unibody chassis

“A body-on-frame chassis is often made from square steel tubing welded together to form an extremely strong framework,” Green explains. “This type of chassis is predominantly used for bakkies, SUVs and trucks, but classic cars are also known to use a body-on-frame chassis to support their powerful engines and heavy weight.”

The unibody chassis, on the other hand, is used for light passenger vehicles and weight reduction.

“A unibody chassis is not an independent frame, instead it is made from stamped metal sheets and body parts connected together. The metal sheets, welded, bolted, glued and screwed together, give the chassis the strength that it needs. Also, parts of this type of chassis can be made of aluminium, steel, carbon fibre or reinforced plastic.”

Second hand vehicles that have been written off previously by an Insurer could also find their way back into the used car market.

What can go wrong with a chassis?

Green says outside influences are the biggest culprits of damage to a chassis. These can include:

Corrosion is often seen in vehicles in high-moisture coastal areas. It is particularly damaging because it can go unnoticed for years. Corrosion deteriorates a chassis’ strength and rigidity over time.
While today’s vehicles are designed with crumple zones, a serious impact could render a chassis unfixable.
Off-road enthusiasts should be aware that this type of driving can crack a chassis and that this damage can also go unnoticed for a long time.
Often when people buy second-hand cars they do not enquire about or check the health of the chassis. This could be a costly mistake.
Second hand vehicles that have been written off previously by an Insurer could also find their way back into the used car market. The sub-standard repairs that occur in this instance could render the chassis unsafe.

“Rather be safe than sorry. A damaged chassis directly affects the ability of your car to absorb the impact of an accident as effectively as it should. If you feel the chassis of your car has been compromised in any way, visit a SAMBRA accredited workshop and have them conduct a simple laser test to check for vulnerabilities – it could save lives,” he concludes.