As from 1 September it became compulsory in South Africa for all new vehicles and vehicles requiring a police clearance to be microdotted.

This follows amendments to the Road Traffic Act in March this year, with the aim of reducing vehicle-related crimes and, among others, aiding the police in tracing the owners of stolen vehicles and vehicle spares when recovered.

But what is microdotting? Basically, it is an added vehicle-security feature whereby some 10 000 data dots are sprayed onto various locations in a vehicle. These dots, which are almost invisible to the naked eye, have a unique code and this code, along with that specific vehicle’s information, is captured on the National Traffic Information System, or e-NaTIS as it’s called. These dots are viewed with the use of a UV light.

Since the introduction of the new regulations, however, the Limpopo Mirror has received several calls from members of the public wanting to know whether microdotting is also compulsory when buying a secondhand vehicle and who is supposed to pay for the service - the dealership or the client? What also upsets members of the public is that no fixed pricing system for microdotting appears to exist. One complainant, a farmer who wanted to buy a tractor, said he received microdotting quotes from different dealerships and agents ranging between R850 and R2 500. The question was asked: Is this not just another money-making scheme for some?

Limpopo Mirror contacted several vehicle dealerships, specifically enquiring about legislation with regard to secondhand vehicles, as well as who should pay for microdotting.

All of them confirmed that all new vehicles coming in from the manufacturers are, as is now required by law, already microdotted and that those vehicles’ floor price is the selling price. It was, however, pointed out that some dealerships still have new vehicles on their showroom floors received before 1 September that are therefore not microdotted. In these cases, all the dealerships are having the vehicles microdotted at their own expense.

Regarding secondhand vehicles, all the dealerships confirmed that they are not at present required by law to have these vehicles microdotted. Should a buyer wish to have a secondhand vehicle microdotted, it will be at his or her own expense. Some dealerships, however, indicated that they had already started microdotting all their secondhand vehicles as this will eventually also become law, possibly as early as February next year. 

It was determined that the negotiated dealership price for microdotting averages between R1000 and R1 200. Bear in mind that this is a dealership price and not the price an individual would necessarily pay. It is understandable, working on the principle that price is determined by supply and demand and that dealerships having to microdot 20 or 30 vehicles per month will pay far less than an individual only wanting to have one vehicle microdotted. Sadly, for the buyer, there is no fixed price when it comes to microdotting and an agent or dealership can basically charge what it wants. It would therefore be wise to shop around and negotiate a better price with an agent or dealership. As far as could be determined, the only fixed price when it comes to microdotting is when a police clearance certificate is needed. Here the price is R850.

Which vehicles presently require microdotting?

* All new vehicles, including cars, bakkies, trucks, motorcycles, tractors, trailers and caravans (but not quad bikes);

* All vehicles of which the existing information on the e-NaTIS system has changed (for example when a new engine was fitted);

* All vehicles requiring a police clearance certificate; and

*  All vehicles intended for import or export.

Members of the public must make sure that the microdotting done to their vehicle complies with the requirements of standard spesifications, SANS 534-1. If the dots fitted do not comply with this standard, the dots must be refitted.