Jun 06, 2025 SAMBRA, South African Motor Body Repairers’ Association, Juan Hanekom,
SAMBRA - Here’s why “repair or replace” is no longer an easy call
If you’ve ever been in a fender bender, you might assume it’s just a quick fix – knock the dent out, splash on some paint, and you’re good to go. But when it comes to modern vehicles, it’s not quite that simple anymore. “Modern vehicles are incredibly sophisticated machines,” says Juan Hanekom, National Director of the South African Motor Body Repairers’ Association (SAMBRA). “We are no longer just dealing with a bit of metal and a few bolts. From safety systems to structural materials, cars have changed dramatically – and that affects how we repair them.”
So, what’s changed? For starters, vehicles today are built with a mix of high-tech materials like ultra-strong steel and aluminium. These materials are lighter and safer, designed to absorb the force of an impact and protect the people inside the car. In fact, many parts of the car – such as the bonnet or pillars around your doors and windscreen – are specifically engineered to crumple in a controlled way during a crash. “In older cars, the force of a collision often transferred directly to the people inside because the car itself didn’t absorb much of the impact,” Hanekom explains. “Today’s cars do the opposite – they’re designed to take the hit so that you don’t have to.”
But that clever design comes at a price. These advanced materials can’t always be bent back into shape like older steel panels. Once damaged, many of them have to be replaced – not just to keep your car looking good, but to make sure it stays safe. That said, it’s not just about bodywork anymore, Think your headlight is just a bulb and a plastic cover? Think again. “Modern headlights can cost tens of thousands of rands to replace,” says Hanekom. “They often include advanced LED systems, sensors, and even cameras that talk to your car’s onboard computers.” Bumpers, too, are no longer just cosmetic. Many now house sensors for parking, radar for adaptive cruise control, and other smart tech. Even a small knock can mean hours of careful work – not just to fix the damage, but to recalibrate all the affected systems.
It’s important to remember safety and cost go hand-in-hand, that’s why repairers and insurers today have a much tougher job when it comes to deciding what to repair and what to replace. “We have to think about more than just the cost,” Hanekom says. “If a part has been compromised – even if the damage looks minor – it could affect the safety of the whole vehicle.” In many cases, replacing the part isn’t just the safer option, it’s also the more cost-effective one in the long run. But making that call takes expert knowledge, specialised equipment, and access to manufacturer repair guidelines.
The bottom line is if you’re in an accident, don’t be surprised if your repairer recommends replacement over repair – even if the damage doesn’t look too serious. Today’s vehicles are smarter, safer, and more complex than ever before – and that means the way we fix them has had to evolve too. “When it comes to your safety, there’s no room for shortcuts,” Hanekom concludes. “Trust the professionals to make the right call.”
SAMBRA is a proud association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI).
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