The recent heavy rains in Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman have caused a surge in demand for vehicle repairs, putting significant pressure on workshop owners. They are struggling to keep up with the increased workload, with demand rising by up to 80% compared to normal conditions. As a result of this high demand, prices for vehicle spare parts have spiked, sometimes doubling in cost due to the shortage of supply.
Workshop owners are reporting delays of over 10 days for customers to receive their repaired vehicles. This delay is caused by the flooding of workshops with damaged cars needing repairs and insurance companies adding to it by forcing insured vehicle owners to wait up to two months for repairs in workshops contracted by the insurers. These delays are causing frustration among customers who are eagerly waiting for their vehicles to be fixed.
The director of the RBM Vehicle Repair Garage, Raslan Muhammad Al-Salamat, highlighted the common malfunctions seen in vehicles following the floods, including issues with the operating system, computers, engine, and gearbox. He stressed that the pressure on workshops is immense due to the large number of vehicles needing repairs and the rising costs of spare parts. In addition to this challenge, workshop owners must also deal with insurance companies that are slow in processing claims and issuing repair estimates.
Othman Khan, director of the Al-Andalus workshop, warned that vehicles flooded with rainwater may suffer long-term damage even if repaired initially. He emphasized the need for vehicle owners to replace all oils in flooded vehicles promptly before they become contaminated or corroded from being immersed in water for an extended period. Some vehicle owners are opting to pay for repairs themselves due to the long wait times imposed by insurance companies and lack of cooperation from them during claim processing.
An electrical engineer specializing in computerized vehicle repairs explained that water damage can lead to extensive issues with a vehicle’s systems. Demand for car computer repairs has surged by 80%, and prices of spare parts have skyrocketed as well due to supply chain disruptions caused by floods and lockdowns imposed during COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Customers are facing challenges in getting their vehicles repaired promptly and are frustrated with insurance companies’ lack of cooperation during claim processing.
Overall, vehicle repair shops in Dubai, Sharjah