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The Right To Repair rule allows motorists of new vehicles to have them serviced or repaired at any independent provider they choose.
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What this also means is that the
customer cannot be locked into warranty or service plans from the dealership when buying a new vehicle.
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Automotive dealerships - more than anyone else - will be dreading 1 July 2021.
The imminent activation of the Right To Repair campaign puts the remote control in the hand of the customer, enabling motorists of new vehicles to have them serviced or repaired at an independent provider of their choosing. Furthermore, dealerships cannot force service or motor plans onto the customer, which is currently a non-negotiable term. Instead, it will be offered as an option.
At last, you finally have the right to repair your car where you like 04 March 2021 - 08:50 By Denis Droppa From July, motorists will be able to service their cars at independent workshops without losing their warranties, while service and maintenance plans will no longer be bundled into the price of cars.
Picture: SUPPLIED
This week, motor industry umbrella body Naamsa downed its weapons and announced its support for the Guidelines for Competition in the South African Automotive Aftermarket, as published by the Competition Commission.
Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have been at war with independent workshops over the so-called right-to-repair issue for a number of years, with OEMs fearing the new rules may threaten the profitability of franchised dealerships, and Right to Repair South Africa (R2RSA) saying consumers should have the right to choose where their cars are serviced.
Big changes are coming to South Africa’s motoring landscape on 1 July 2021.
For the first time ever, owners of new cars will have the right to repair or service their vehicles at an independent provider of their choice.
These owners won’t be locked into restrictive embedded motor or service plans, and vehicle manufacturers won’t be allowed to void warranties if owners choose to go with an independent service or repair provider.
Until now, South Africa has been unique in the world when it’s come to these restrictive embedded motor and service plans. This is why the Competition Commission started a process in 2017 to bring our country more in line with places such as the US, Europe and Australia.
New motor industry guidelines could lead to lower insurance premiums
By Motoring Staff
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JOHANNESBURG - The South African motor industry is in for some ground-breaking changes from July, when the Competition Commission’s new guidelines kick in.
The guidelines aim to promote more competition in areas like manufacturing, repairs, insurance, and financing.
They could also, in time, lead to lower insurance premiums, King Price says.
The right to repair anywhere
One of the biggest changes is that car owners will no longer have to use dealership service centres and parts departments to keep their service plans and guarantees in place. They now have the right to repair or service their vehicles at a provider of their own choice without voiding their warranties.