The year of real industry reform

NSW Motor Traders’ Association senior divisional manager, Greg Preston, reflects on 2010, looking at the achievements the organisation has made as well as looking into the future
to see what this year will bring.

At the end of 2009, MTA NSW advised the motor body repair industry of five key areas MTA would focus its resources on. Championing these five causes would be for the betterment of their customers and the general public.

The five areas were:

1. Review of written-off vehicles

The result was all light vehicles that are written off will become a statutory write-off.

2. Revise the NSW Motor Vehicle Repairs Act 1980

The result was a successful campaign launched to review this Act.

3. Review the MVIRI Code of Conduct

The result was that with a national push by all the state associations, the code review has now been completed.

4. Roll out of realistic times & rates

The result was further progress on take up by repairers and insurers across the repair industry.

5. Two-quote/tendering systems

The result was that MTA developed a paper-based dispute resolution process and then developed its web-based “iDispute” resolution process. This is now operational and is handling issues covered under the code including any contraventions for assigning work based upon 6.1 for Competitive Estimates of the MVIRI Code of Conduct.

This brief summary does not pay enough tribute to the many long hours put in by all those directly involved and for the ongoing support and commitment of all of our members that made “dreams turn into reality”.

Personally, I would like to express my admiration and thanks for all of their input and support in achieving these spectacular results.

The benefits, both immediate and longer term, will be felt for many years to come in the motor body repair industry, regardless if they are a smash repairer, parts recycler, parts supplier, mechanic, tow truck operator but most importantly of all, our customers – now and into the future. 

MTA NSW’s understand the needs of the motor repair industry and will continue to work together with key industry stakeholders to ensure the general public is protected from practices that undermine, diminish or compromises the quality of repairs.

2011 is shaping up as the Year of Consolidation!

Next year has the potential to secure the industry’s future. The changes to legislation will impact on the motor repair and parts industries – new and recycled.

There are real prospects for the creation of more work opportunities: different types of smash repair work, the type of work that most haven’t seen in years.
These opportunities may lead to increases in staffing levels for more highly trained staff and for more apprentices.

Likewise for the parts industries with the increased opportunities for the recycling of written-off vehicles they could not buy before. The same for new OEM parts suppliers selling structural parts that they have not sold in years.

MTA NSW would like to offer our sincere thanks to all that have contributed to our centenary year.