What is "Right to Repair" in South Africa?
"Right to Repair" is the common name for the Competition Commission's Guidelines for Competition in the South African Automotive Aftermarket, which came into effect on 1 July 2021.
The aim is to open up competition, so that car owners are not locked into dealer workshops for servicing, maintenance and repairs.
Can I service my new car at an independent workshop?
In most cases, yes. The guidelines allow you to have your car serviced, maintained and repaired by an independent workshop during the warranty period without that, by itself, voiding your warranty.
Keep a written record of every service, and make sure the work follows your manufacturer's service schedule.
What still goes to the dealer?
Warranty claims for manufacturing defects are still handled by the manufacturer's approved dealers. If a part covered by warranty fails because of a factory defect, the dealer fixes it under warranty.
Read your own warranty and any service or maintenance plan terms, because the details differ between manufacturers and contracts.
What about parts?
Using parts of matching quality from outside the dealer network is generally allowed. If a non-original part causes a failure, the cost of that failure may not be covered, so use a workshop that quotes clearly and uses quality parts.
How AM AutoHaus handles it
We service to your manufacturer's schedule, keep a written record of the job, and quote parts upfront. In most cases, servicing with us does not void your new-car warranty.
If you are unsure about your specific warranty, send us the details on WhatsApp and we will talk it through with you.
Source and further reading: Competition Commission South Africa. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
Quick answers
Does servicing my car at an independent workshop void my warranty in South Africa?
In most cases, no. Since 1 July 2021 the Right to Repair guidelines allow independent servicing and repairs during the warranty period. Warranty claims for factory defects still go to the dealer, and you should check your own warranty terms.
When did Right to Repair start in South Africa?
The Competition Commission's automotive aftermarket guidelines came into effect on 1 July 2021.