The South African Motor Body Repairers’ Association (Sambra) has revealed that it’s becoming increasingly difficult for motor body repairers (MBRs) to make ends meet.
This due to slow erosion of margins and the transferring of costs to repairers from certain short-term motor insurers, particularly when it comes to paint prices.
Juan Hanekom, national director of Sambra, said this is one critical area which has the potential to impact the end quality of the repair for the consumer.
Additionally, it places the MBR, who must ultimately answer for the repair quality, in a compromising position.
Hanekom explains that modern automotive refinishing is highly specialised.
Advanced technology today requires using cutting-edge paint systems, following strict manufacturer specifications, and ensuring expert application for a finish that’s durable, precise, and safe.
“We cannot compromise the quality of the repair with cheaper paints which potentially can result in poor colour matching, faster fading or peeling, and offer a lower resistance to weather and chemicals,” he said.
Accredited MBRs pride themselves on quality workmanship and often rely on reputations built up over a long period of time to bring in business, which can be damaged if sub-par paint is used through no fault of their own.
“At the end of the day the onus rests on the motor body repairer to provide the client with only the highest standard of finished product,” said Hanekom.
“Utilising substandard paint may lead to client dissatisfaction, comebacks, or warranty claims – all of which also hurt both the Repairer’s reputation and bottom line.”
Hanekom said the situation is simply not financially sustainable.
For newer vehicles, using non-approved paint may invalidate paint or corrosion warranties for the customer and MBRs working under manufacturer approvals are obliged to stick to specified products.
At present, Sambra members are being forced to absorb the cost shortfall to ensure they never compromise on quality levels.
For many smaller businesses, however, this is not sustainable.
“The bottom line is that cutting back on paint allocation in the approved repair cost creates a misalignment between cost-saving goals of insurers and the quality standards of MBRs – with clients potentially caught in the middle,” concluded Hanekom.
“It raises ethical, legal, and safety concerns, especially if the insurer’s choice compromises quality without proper disclosure to the customer.”
He emphasised that this issue remains an ongoing discussion with certain insurers.
Best car colours for insurance
While car colour doesn’t have the biggest impact on your insurance premium, there are still a few hues you can choose to guarantee you get the lowest rate possible.
According to popular insurer King Price, the best car colours to choose from an insurance perspective are white, yellow, red, silver, or grey.
The colour of your car can influence what you pay for coverage as it affects your risk profile.
In terms of visibility and safety on the road, cars in bright colours like white, yellow, and red are more visible, which can reduce the likelihood of accidents.
“Insurers may offer lower premiums for these colours due to the perceived lower risk,” said King Price.
Meanwhile, darker hues can be harder to see by other road users, especially at night.
As a result, cars painted black, blue, and green can increase the risk of accidents, potentially leading to higher premiums.
Theft is another concern when it comes to the exterior tone of your ride.
Criminals tend to prefer cars in popular shades like silver and black, which can result in more excessive insurance premiums for these vehicles.
At the other end of the spectrum, less common pigments are generally less attractive to thieves, which could lead to lower premiums.
Finally, the resale value of your wheels may be significantly impacted by the colour.
Neutral tints – for example, white, silver, and grey – generally have higher resale values. Insurers may consider this when setting premiums, as higher resale values can mean lower risk.
“Choosing the right car colour can have a surprising impact on your insurance premiums,” concludes King Price.
“By opting for a colour that’s visible, less likely to be stolen, and has a good resale value, you can potentially save on your insurance costs.”
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