Hundreds of garages in France now refuse cars at risk

Of the 2.5 million cars concerned in France by a reminder on defective Takata airbags, 1.7 million are affected by the famous “stop drive” which prohibits drivers from taking the steering wheel of their vehicle as long as the airbag has not been replaced. And if the campaign is still in full swing, several major automotive post-sales brands have decided to no longer accommodate vehicles subject to a Stop Drive, or which would have Takata airbags have not yet been replaced by their dealer. If the cars affected by a “stop drive” are directly banned, those who do not have the ban on rolling but who still look at risk can also be refused in some Garagistes.

Norauto, Speedy, Point S…

The announcements have multiplied in recent days. It started with Speedy, and others got quickly. Norauto and point S, in particular. This still represents a package of points of service in France.

Motorists who go to these garages must provide proof of replacement of the brand’s airbag of the brand, or an approved garage owner. For those who have a vehicle that is not affected by the “stop drive”, Norauto, in particular, has decided to limit interventions to operations that do not affect airbag. In other words, it would not be surprising that garages refuse, for example, changes in cabin filter when located very close to passenger airbag at the glove box.

An extreme precautionary principle?

At the editorial staff, we actually had A return of reader for an airbag case that would have started on its own on a Volkswagen Polo, without any shock, last July. A probably extremely rare fact that may have nothing to do with the problem of Takata airbags. Because remember, the dangerousness does not come from an untimely trigger, but indeed from a too strong explosion in the event of an accident which can in particular propel metallic particles on the driver or the passenger. In the garage, there is normally no risk of shock from the vehicle that can trigger the airbag (remember that it takes a certain force for the sensor to trigger the explosion of the inflatable cushion). But when in doubt, the major after-sales specialists logically play the security card for their employees.

Norauto, Speedy and did not take exaggerated precautionary measures? In this kind of case, companies seek above all to cover themselves with the slightest risk. And even if a workshop trigger had a chance in a billion to occur, it is already one too much for these brands.