[ad_1]
The Competition Commission wants to end motorists being forced to maintain or repair their cars under warranty only at manufacturer-approved service dealers.
Image: 123rf.
JOHANNESBURG – Good news for car owners, especially new cars, as South Africans now have the right to repair their own vehicles.
The South African Competition Commission wants to end motorists being forced to maintain or repair their cars under warranty only at manufacturer-approved service dealers, and allow the installation of aftermarket parts when under warranty of a specific part has expired. – without running the risk of cancellation / cancellation of your guarantees.
This means you can take your car for service or repair wherever you want without losing your warranty.
Filum Ho, CEO of Autoboys and vice president of the Right to Repair movement, said Monday that the big news was the fact that consumers now had a choice.
The guidelines were published by the Competition Commission in February this year and are now official and will take effect in July 2021.
Ho said: “It supports competition within the auto market, which was previously a highly concentrated industry.”
This increases competition in the sector, which means lower prices, but also creates opportunities for emerging suppliers.
He confirmed that vehicles under warranty can now be serviced at the location of their choice.
“You can have your car repaired at independent service providers without voiding the warranty. Vehicles in warranty service are locked for dealer use, but can now go to independent vendors. “
Ho emphasized that this is in line with what the rest of the world is doing.
“It is a victory for consumers. Cars that are now canceled and have the service plan balance – Dealers must transfer the service plan or refund the balance. In effect, when you buy a vehicle, you pay for the service plan in advance. “
The commission said in the guidelines that the process was triggered by multiple complaints they received from various independent players in the automotive aftermarket and members of the public.
Listen to the audio below to learn more:
[ad_2]
