Parts Prices up 30%

[Mark Venter]

I have noticed that over the past few weeks parts have gone up by about 20-30% for general servicing parts not to mention mechanical parts.But the scary thing is South afrika has become a dumping ground for inferior parts that could make any car a death trap.

Exsample.;Mercedes benz 124-230E water pump Agents R1650.00-German import R850.00-China R250.00 (Head repair after water pump has failed R4500.00)

My parts account with a local Mercedes-benz dealer has gone up by 30% Customers Down 40% cars in workshop down 20%, Autorization by customers Down 50%. Over dew services,brakes metal to metal exc. Being the biggest non francize Mercedes-benz service centre in JHB i can see how the customers have to count there pennies and cars are driven till they brake down and then patched. Where is this going to flatline

[SYRON CONVERSIONS]

Yes an interesting topic, last month I spoke to a friend, he is the workshop manager for a Mercedes Benz garage as well, he is in charge of the commercial section, he told me that they were down by 145 vehicle's in their workshop compared to the previous month, there seems to be a huge decline all over South Africa, businesses are not wanting to waste money on normal Pre- Maintenance on their vehilce's, they just service them when they are due and then just fix them as and when they break down, it is shocking how the garages charge the customer, okay they also have extreme overheads, but hey to pay R295. to remove two front truck wheels and re-fit them is madness, to test drive a vehicle is another R295. Flatline well only when The SA governemnet introduces that every vehicle must go for a rwc each year.