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Have you thought about your pre-holiday car check yet?

Every year hundreds of accidents happen on our roads during the holiday season. With December just around the corner, Dewald Ranft, Chairman of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), an affiliate association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), says now is the time to get your pre-holiday vehicle checks done before the last-minute scramble begins.
“Every year workshops get flooded in November and December with motorists wanting vehicle checks and needing repairs just days before they plan to leave on holiday. What motorists don’t realise is that should maintenance be needed on their vehicle and spare parts are not in stock, these need to be ordered. This could take several days, if they are available at all. It is risky leaving things to the last minute and could put a real dampener on holiday plans,” he says.
He explains that mechanics should do a thorough check of the vehicle which will include a road test and an assessment of the following parts:

  • Lights
  • Suspension
  • Drive lines
  • Brakes
  • Tyres, including the spare and tools
  • Fluid levels
  • Wipers and windscreen
  • V Belts, and
  • Exhaust.

If a problem is identified, the mechanic will be able to advise the vehicle owner and provide a quote for repairs needed. “There are MIWA-accredited workshops around the country that will do an excellent job of getting your vehicle holiday ready. What’s important is booking for your service now – even if you only take the car in in a few weeks’ time. Rather schedule it in now so you remember to do it ahead of the holiday time”
“There’s nothing worse than having your holiday plans delayed or cancelled because of car issues. Don’t wait until November or December. Get organised now,” concludes Ranft.
The VTA and its membership continuously give their full commitment to Road Safety in South Africa. To this end the VTA and its participating members conduct  free safety test campaigns usually around the holiday periods. The safety test is not a roadworthy test, but a safety critical test to ensure vehicles are free from defects. The VTA’s aim in conducting the check is to reduce the number of road deaths the holiday season.
The list of safety critical items that are  tested include:

  • All lights
  • Seat belts
  • Wipers
  • All tyres
  • All foot brakes
  • Hand brake
  • Steering mechanism
  • Suspension
  • Exhaust
  • Wheel alignment

Please be advised that the next free safety test campaign will commence towards end of November, exact dates will be announced in due course.