Bodyshops across Ireland have been praising a new write-off avoidance initiative that was introduced by Toyota late last year. Many have already benefited from the programme designed to encourage repair rather than write-off when the estimate figures are marginal.

Developed by the Toyota Ireland Aftersales team, the programme targets category C or D write-offs which have be classified as an uneconomical repairs. When this happens, with in certain parameters, the Toyota Dealer will work with the bodyshop and the insurance company to explore more economical repair possibilities in terms of a further discount on parts prices.

One bodyshop that has been making good use of the programme is Armstrong Body Repairs in Rathnew, Co. Wicklow. Managing Director Aubrey Armstrong says, “We have found the Toyota scheme works very well and we have been able to use it on several occasions to repair a customer’s Toyota and keep it on the road when it may normally have been written-off.”

Aubrey says that the Toyota programme is simple to administer and much quicker than write-off avoidance programmes offered by some other vehicle manufacturers, commenting, “Where we think there is scope for the programme to work we simply contact our Toyota parts supplier and they quickly get back to us with additionally discounted parts prices. We can then liaise with the insurance company and will generally get the green light to repair the vehicle.”

Aubrey sources Toyota genuine parts form Carroll & Kinsella in Blackrock and says that the service he gets is first class. He comments, “The parts team are very knowledgeable and are fully tuned in to the write off avoidance programme. They also offer a very effective delivery system which is a great time saver.”

Aubrey concludes, “The Toyota programme really works. It has put in place a simple common sense approach to write-off avoidance that means everyone benefits. We get to repair the vehicle, the dealer gets additional parts sales, the insurance company saves by not writing-off the vehicle and crucially the customer gets to keep their Toyota on the road.”

For more information please contact your local Toyota Dealer Parts Department.