Automotive Repairers Division

Hail damaged vehicles

The March hail storm caused unprecedented disruption to the lives of many Western Australians, the business community, but in particular, motor vehicle owners, the motor trades and the insurance industry.

In recognition of the extraordinary conditions created by the storm, the Department of Transport has put in place new arrangements under its repairable written-off vehicle process. This has been implemented to accommodate vehicle owners whose vehicles have only superficial hail damage and who wish to keep their vehicles because they are mechanically sound even though they have been declared uneconomical to repair by their insurer.

MTA was approached by the Department to seek expressions of interest from suitably qualified mechanical repair businesses to help overcome the backlog of providing visual inspections for hail damaged vehicles. Members were quick to express their interest and after supplying all necessary information, 46 ARD members across the metropolitan area were put forward to be part of this initiative, which was launched in September.

This partnership will deliver more timely choices for West Australian vehicle owners and will allow for the prompt processing of the thousands of vehicles damaged by the hail storm. It is estimated that the number of vehicles requiring an inspection could be 26,000.

ARD Annual General Meeting

In early October, the Automotive Repair Division will hold an Annual General Meeting, which will include the election of a new Committee, Chair and Vice chair.

The ARD is entering the most challenging period in modern times and the new committee will need to grapple with a range of issues to ensure the industry, particularly small or individual workshops, remain relevant. These include hybrid and electric vehicles, industry training requirements, dealing with such flawed Federal Government policies as “Cash for Clunkers”, emerging technologies and high operating costs.