Striving to empower our members and facilitate a better understanding of the motor body repair industry as a whole.

As South Africans prepare for the annual holiday rush, the roads are set to become significantly busier – and so too are the risks. The festive season traditionally brings an increase in long-distance travel, accidents, roadside breakdowns and insurance claims. While this is stressful enough for motorists, the South African Motor Body Repairers’ Association (SAMBRA), a proud association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), warns that it is also peak season for fraudulent tow truck scams. Why the Festive Season Puts You at Risk Unscrupulous operators often take advantage of the confusion and vulnerability that follow an accident. Several recent incidents across the country highlight a growing trend: motorists are being misled into handing over their vehicles under false pretences, believing they are dealing with their legitimate insurer or an approved service provider. A Real-Life Scam In one particularly concerning case in Gauteng earlier this year, a young woman involved in a multi-vehicle collision was approached within minutes by tow truck operators who asked whether she had insurance. One operator handed her a phone, claiming her insurer was on the line. The person on the call warned her that her airbag could deploy unexpectedly and that her insurer would […]

It is never pleasant to imagine being involved in a road accident. But The South African Motor Body Repairers’ Association (SAMBRA) wants you to feel prepared for any eventuality! Here is a checklist of emergency items we recommend having in your car: First-aid kitFire extinguisherEmergency triangleReflective jacketJumper cablesTow ropeTyre sealantMulti-toolDuct tapeFlashlightCellphone chargerPen and paperPlastic ponchoPaper towels or wet wipesSpace blanketDrinking waterSnacksRoad mapsCashEmergency documents Staying calm and being prepared can make all the difference while awaiting professional help. To learn more, visit our Accident SOS page, here. Read article similar to this one, here.

Despite South Africa’s high road death toll, thousands of people have no choice but to use road transport – as will be the case again this festive season for many commuters and holiday makers. “If you are unfortunately involved in an accident en route, knowing what to do can go a long way towards lessening the trauma and risk involved and could even save lives,” says Uvashen Bramiah, national director of the South African Motor Body Repairers Association (SAMBRA), a proud association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI). “You need to do everything possible to ensure your own safety and that of any passengers,” says Bramiah, “and the best way of doing this,” he says, “is by remaining calm which is often not that easy.” Bramiah says if the accident is not too serious and you are able to get out of your car there are some clear steps you need to follow. They require a calm mind, so try not to panic. STEP 1: Immediately following an accident: Stop the car and put on your vehicle hazard lights.Immediately check for any injuries.Safely take photos of the incident which can be sent to your insurer. STEP 2: Secure the […]

Have you been in a car accident and wondered what to do next? Many drivers on South African roads have found themselves in this difficult position. The South African Motor Body Repairers’ Association (SAMBRA) have developed the Accident SOS guide, that will assist you in the unfortunate instance that you are involved in a motor collision in the future. Knowing what to do next will help you not only to manage this stressful situation but help you to take back the control that you may feel you have lost as a result of the accident. Here are 3  easy steps to follow. Step 1 – Check Stop your vehicle (if possible), switch on your hazards and check the road and your immediate surroundings.  Check if anyone was injured. If injuries occurred, do not move any vehicles or provide first-aid or medical assistance unless you are trained to do so. As safely as possible, take as many photos as you can – from different angles – of the original accident scene, before moving any cars. Wait until the authorities arrive to take charge of the situation. Step 2 – Call In case of injury, call the National Emergency Number: 112 from your mobile phone (10177 from a […]

Ashley Roos, from Women Torque takes us through Basic Quality Control at an auto body repairer, or panel beater. The Quality Control stage happens after all repairs have been completed. This process, undertaken by the quality control manager involves checks of the vehicle to determine whether the vehicle and the completed works meet all the standard requirements of AA and SAMBRA. Find out what the basic quality control inspection process includes and what happens if the vehicle does not pass this inspection. Read the full article. Read Article More about the auto body repair processes   To understand the Panel Shop Processes in more detail and what to do if you’ve been in an accident, check out these two articles: sambra.biz/panel-shop-processes-a-step-by-step-guide sambra.biz/what-to-do-when-your-car-is-written-off-after-a-crash