As South Africans keep their vehicles for longer and modern automotive technology becomes increasingly common, the true cost of vehicle ownership is no longer determined by the purchase price alone. Increasingly, motorists also need to consider whether a vehicle will remain affordable to repair throughout its lifetime.
The South African Motor Body Repairers' Association (SAMBRA), a proud association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), says repairability is becoming one of the most significant affordability issues facing the local automotive industry. The challenge affects the entire vehicle market, including petrol, diesel, hybrid and fully electric vehicles.
Juan Hanekom, National Director of SAMBRA, says the conversation around repair costs often focuses too heavily on electric vehicles.
"Public discussion often centres on whether electric vehicles cost more to repair," says Hanekom. "However, repairability is now a much wider challenge. Vehicles of all types are becoming more advanced, and that complexity is changing the economics of collision repair."
Modern vehicles increasingly incorporate advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), cameras, radar sensors, LED lighting, lightweight construction materials and highly integrated components. While these technologies improve safety, efficiency and overall vehicle performance, they also make collision repairs more complex.
According to Hanekom, damage that appears relatively minor may require the replacement of complete assemblies rather than individual components. This can significantly increase repair costs, affect insurance decisions and influence the overall affordability of owning a vehicle.
Electric vehicles introduce additional considerations, particularly regarding high-voltage battery systems and the specialised inspection procedures required after a collision.
"The battery is often viewed as the main cost risk, but it does not automatically have to be replaced after every collision," Hanekom explains. "After an accident, the battery must be safely isolated, inspected and assessed according to manufacturer-approved processes. Replacement is only required where damage is confirmed or where the battery's integrity cannot be verified. Because of the high value of the battery, however, it can play a major role in determining whether the vehicle remains economically repairable."
Hanekom says this highlights the important distinction between technical repairability and economic repairability.
From a technical perspective, a vehicle may be fully repairable provided technicians have the appropriate training, specialised equipment and manufacturer-approved repair procedures. From an economic perspective, insurers must also evaluate the vehicle's market value, total repair costs, expected repair time, the possibility of hidden damage and the vehicle's salvage value before determining whether repairs remain financially viable.
SAMBRA believes repairability should become a far more prominent consideration as automotive technology continues to evolve.
"Consumers already compare fuel consumption, safety ratings and purchase prices when choosing a vehicle," says Hanekom. "Repairability should be part of the same decision-making process because it affects the total cost of ownership over the life of the vehicle."
The association says improving repairability will require greater collaboration between manufacturers, importers, repairers, insurers and policymakers. South African repairers are already investing in specialist technician training, high-voltage safety procedures, advanced diagnostic equipment and upgraded workshop facilities to support increasingly sophisticated vehicles.
SAMBRA also believes manufacturers and importers have an important role to play by designing vehicles with practical repairs in mind, providing repairers with access to model-specific technical information and diagnostic systems, establishing clear battery inspection and repair procedures, making individual replacement components available where appropriate, improving local parts availability and supporting the repair industry as new vehicle technologies are introduced into South Africa.
Although South Africa's new-energy vehicle market continues to expand, fully electric vehicles still account for a relatively small proportion of the national fleet. Nevertheless, SAMBRA says the repair industry is preparing now for the specialist skills, equipment and safety standards that will become increasingly important in the years ahead.
"The industry is committed to keeping up with new technology," concludes Hanekom. "The next step is to ensure that progress in vehicle design is matched by progress in repairability. In future, repairability will be just as important as the purchase price in determining the true affordability of vehicle ownership."
