Some motor claims news for you;
Repairify has identified a rising trend for Toyota and Lexus wiring loom replacements which can cost in excess of £11,000, following a spate of thefts across the UK.
The full-service diagnostics and calibration provider is advising bodyshops and workshops that such incidents need not result in a vehicle write-off and that repairs are possible without full wiring loom replacements, which would incur high bills for customers.
Thieves are exploiting a weakness within the CAN-BUS system of popular Toyota and Lexus models, including the Toyota RAV 4, C-HR and Lexus RC, ES and NX. By disconnecting part of the headlight and using a malicious device to tamper with the vehicle’s electronics, criminals are bypassing security systems, unlocking the doors, and starting the engine without a key. These vehicles are typically being abandoned at the roadside and picked up through insurance firms, in need of sophisticated and often complex repairs.
While the typical answer for most workshops will either be a vehicle write off or full wiring loom replacement depending on the age and condition of the vehicle, Repairify can provide a diagnostic-led approach to CAN-BUS related theft damage and advises workshops accordingly.
Robert Neale, Workshop Operations Manager at Repairify UK explained: “This is not just an issue around theft, it is also technical and financial. It affects insurers, bodyshops, and vehicle owners, and as architecture in vehicles becomes increasingly digital, these repairs will become more crucial. This is why we are providing practical solutions to this growing problem, to keep vehicles on the road with restored security systems.”
While manufacturers have taken action in an attempt to deter these thefts through offering vehicle protection plates blocking access to the electronics, Repairify suggests that thieves are simply removing these as part of their entry process and continuing to breach security systems regardless.
Repairify is taking remedial action for insurers and bodyshops by putting these vehicles through a comprehensive electrical assessment to discover the full extent of damage to circuits and components. This highly skilled diagnostic process determines the most appropriate repair solution for each vehicle, potentially avoiding unnecessary write-offs while ensuring safety and system integrity, and reducing repair times where full replacement isn’t required.
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