13/08/2024
**Motor Vehicle Parts Delays: A Growing Challenge for Insurers**
The automotive repair industry in South Africa is currently grappling with significant delays in the availability of spare parts. These delays are primarily due to global supply chain issues, port congestion, and a reliance on parts manufactured abroad. As a result, many vehicles are left waiting weeks, or even months, for essential components to arrive.
Insurers are increasingly facing frustrated clients who experience prolonged downtime with their vehicles. This situation often necessitates extended car rentals, adding to the financial strain for both insurers and repair shops. Repairers are also bearing the brunt, with vehicles remaining in courtesy car fleets longer and repair parts languishing in storage as they await one or two missing components.
In this challenging landscape, Partfinders has emerged as a crucial player in expediting the repair process. By sourcing quality used parts, Partfinders helps speed up repairs and alleviate some of the delays caused by unavailable new parts. The Insurance Ombudsman has approved the use of non-mechanical used parts for vehicles out of warranty, and many clients are now opting for used body panels that match their vehicle's age. Once painted, these parts are virtually indistinguishable from new ones.
Partfinders leverages a comprehensive database of over 3,000 suppliers to locate hard-to-find parts, supporting insurers and repairers in their quest for used components. When new parts are not available, Partfinders can procure used parts within 24 hours, helping to avoid delays in the claims process and keep clients on the road.
In summary, while parts delays present a growing challenge for the insurance and repair industries, services like those provided by Partfinders are crucial in mitigating these issues and ensuring a smoother repair experience for clients..
We find used parts for any vehicle in Southern Africa