Substantial progress is being made in South Africa in establishing the right to repair.
The Right to Repair South Africa and the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA) have collaborated to create and publish a worldwide best-practices guide for right-to-repair legislation.
The freedom to repair movement argues for customers’ rights to repair and alter their own automobiles, among other things, without being restricted by manufacturers.
It attempts to give users greater control over their belongings, as automobile manufacturers frequently restrict access to maintenance and repair data.
According to Kate Elliot, CEO of Right to Repair South Africa, the aftermarket service business employs 297,826 people in South Africa and contributes around 2.8% to the GDP.
“The automotive industry is the third largest sector in the national economy. While a large portion of this can be attributed to the manufacture and retail of new motor vehicles, the repair and service sector cannot be discounted,” said Elliot.
“There are about 12.7 million vehicles on the road in South Africa, and all of these will need to be serviced and repaired during their lifetimes,” added the CEO.
“After vehicles exit their warranty period, independent repair shops perform 70% of repairs. This vibrant industry and the consumer choice that it creates is being threatened by automotive manufacturers that block access to wirelessly transmitted vehicle repair and maintenance data,” she said.
She claims that this leaves consumers with no practical option for independent parts and repairs, particularly in suburban and rural areas.
Motorists’ access to economical vehicle servicing is also limited, making it more probable that individuals may drive an older automobile in need of repairs to save money.
According to Elliot, South Africa stands apart as a country dedicated to defend the right of motor vehicle owners to choice by constant advocacy with important aftermarket players and engagement with the Competition Commission.
According to Elliott, the new criteria have made the automobile aftermarket a more equitable environment to conduct business by allowing the government to promote and stimulate growth.
South African motorists’ rights are being improved. On February 8, consumer rights were confirmed in respect to acquiring previously written-off autos from a dealer.
The courts have now upheld the precedent that a buyer has the right to be informed of the real state of a vehicle before purchasing it; the dealer is therefore required to reimburse the consumer the complete outstanding financed value of the automobile plus interest.
Elliot stated in October of last year that the rising cost of living is having an impact on road safety as more people choose for older vehicles.
She claims that cash-strapped customers routinely bring in old autos for servicing. By making repairs more affordable, the right to repair may increase road safety.
