The CEO of the Ghana Auto Development Centre (GADC) Kojo Annobil has made a case against the importation of salvage vehicles into the country, saying they are a ticking time bomb.

He said salvage vehicles, which are described as vehicles involved in a severe accident resulting in significant damage to the chassis frame and safety cage, have their structural integrity compromised and can never be safe for motorists and passengers.

“ As an automobile expert for over 20 years, I can confidently say just because a car has been repaired doesn't mean it's safe to drive; hidden damage can lead to catastrophic failures, causing accidents and even fatalities,” he told the Graphic Business in an interview in Accra.

The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has identified salvage vehicles to be involved in a disproportionate number of accidents, with many resulting in serious injury or death.

"Don't gamble with your life, always prioritise safety and choose a vehicle that has been thoroughly inspected and certified," he noted.

Ban on accident and salvaged vehicles

In April 2020, the President assented to an act that will start banning salvaged and accident vehicles by October 2020. The act amends the Customs Act, 2015 (Act 891). 

The banned vehicles comprise destroyed, wrecked or physically damaged by collision, fire, water or other occurrences and specified vehicles that are over 10-years-old.

However, the majority of vehicles driven on Ghana’s roads and highways are mostly salvaged cars imported at cheap costs.

According to data sourced from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division, over one million vehicles were imported into the country; representing an average of 100,000 cars per year. Out of this figure, 80 per cent were second-hand vehicles.

Currently, importers of overaged cars pay penalties of between five and 100 per cent of the total cost, insurance and freight. Despite this, there is a growing demand for salvaged cars that has led to an increase in sales for players in the automobile and garage industries.

Subsequently, the Garage Operators Association bare their teeth against the government, saying over 20,000 jobs will be lost in the auto sector should the ban be effected and effective.

Death on the road

Despite the opposition from some stakeholders, Mr Annobil lauded the government for the ban and told the Graphic Business that there was grave danger in driving accidents or salvaged vehicles.

“Structural damage that can lead to a collapse in the event of an accident and electrical system failures associated with flooded vehicles that can cause fires or loss of control is imminent and we must be very careful about that,” he stated.

He added that the airbag system in salvaged and accident vehicles malfunctions and can fail to deploy in an accident, while the brake system failures can also lead to loss of control and a fatal accident.