Coronavirus: how covid-19 affects the automotive world
Thursday, 13 August 2020
We’re back in lockdown, with Auckland hitting Level 3 yesterday and the rest of the country moving to Level 2. Here’s a refresher as to what you can and can’t do with your cars under a coronavirus lockdown.
What you can do
The AA has confirmed almost all of its service sites are continuing to operate nationwide, with the only site closing under lockdown the AA Vehicle Testing Station in Glen Innes, Auckland, as it isn’t possible to have adequate physical distancing at the site.
All AA Auto Centres, AA Vehicle Inspections, Entry Compliance Centres are open and Pre-Purchase Inspections are continuing.
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“We’ve closed the reception areas at our Auckland AA Auto Centres and implemented contactless vehicle drop off and pick up,” AA Motoring Services General Manager Jonathan Sergel says.
“That’s the biggest change our Auckland customers should notice. Outside of Auckland, our Auto Centre reception areas are remaining open for now, as we can ensure our team members and customers have one-metre physical distancing in them, as required at Level 2.”
As for your WoF/CoF, any that expired on or after January 1st 2020 have been temporarily extended to October. Though there have been calls for people to get their WoFs sooner rather than later, fearing big delays if everyone with an expired warrant goes in for a new one at the same time.
Servicing and repairs will be, as the last Level 3 instance, contactless. Dealers and distributors across the country will implement more stringent safety measures before re-opening. This includes contactless interaction, home pick-up and drop off services and, for those looking to buy new vehicles, virtual tours via video calling. You might be able to buy parts and repair things yourself too, just check with your local parts shop to see if they’ll delivery or offer contactless pick-up.
If you’re an essential worker, there are services like BookMyCar which offer a contact-free approach that includes ringing to arrange a contact free way to collect and return the car key, carrying out the work in a safe, hygienic manner like wearing fresh gloves, cleaning the steering wheel and contact surfaces before work begins. Payment is all online using secure payment processes, with no need to touch a card machine.
What you can’t do
Those of us in Auckland may as well put the car away now. Level 3 means we aren’t driving anywhere apart from for essentials like grocery shopping. That means no more Sunday cruises or pub trips on Friday. And that includes you bikies too, despite the fact that you’re social distancing by default.
If you do need to step out for essential reasons, make sure your car is still safe to use. At a minimum, vehicle owners need to self-inspect their vehicles using the TWIRL procedure (tyres, windscreen, wipers, mirrors, indicators, rust and lights) to assess their vehicle's safety. Obviously, all normal road rules still apply.
For more information on keeping your car up to scratch while in lockdown, check here and here
If you’re not in Auckland, Level 2 means you can still go to your favourite cafe for brunch but you have to social distance. You can basically do most of what you were doing at Level 1 but with more caution and more distancing. And masks.