Help Centre
Here are answers to the questions we hear most often about windscreen repair, windscreen replacement, and automotive glass services in South Africa.
Shatterprufe® is a registered brand of automotive glass supplied and fitted by glass companies. Shatterproof is a safety characteristic — it refers to the process of laminating two pieces of glass together to prevent the glass from shattering into splinters on impact.
Yes. All our automotive glass is SABS-approved, which requires a windscreen to be resistant to penetration and disintegration using a laminate — a polyvinyl plastic core bonded between two layers of glass.
Our OEM and OEE automotive glass complies with all local safety standards and most international standards, including SABS, DOT Mark, E Mark, and CCC.
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) glass is the glass used by vehicle manufacturers in the original assembly of a car. It is co-branded with both the glass factory logo and the vehicle manufacturer logo.
Original Equipment Equivalent (OEE) glass is alternative glass manufactured to the same standards, in the same factories, and using the same materials as OEM glass. It has been tested for fit and form, and is branded with the glass factory logo only.
No. Under the Consumer Protection Act, using OEE glass cannot void your vehicle warranty — provided the glass meets the required safety and technical standards, which ours does.
Yes. OEE glass is approved by all major South African insurers. In fact, most insurers default to OEE glass for claims. If OEM glass is specifically required, a co-payment may apply.
Yes. OEE glass is more cost-effective than OEM co-branded glass, and many insurers cover it in full — whereas a co-payment is often required for OEM glass. Quality is not compromised: OEE glass is manufactured to the same standards and in the same facilities as OEM glass.
We offer a lifetime warranty on all glass products and a lifetime workmanship warranty where Autoboys Glass Services is found to be at fault on technical assessment.
The cost of windscreen replacement varies by vehicle make, model, and glass type (OEM vs OEE). If you have comprehensive insurance, your windscreen claim is typically covered — subject to your policy excess. Contact us or get a quote online for a price specific to your vehicle.
A standard windscreen replacement takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes. If camera and sensor calibration (ADAS) is required after the replacement, additional time will be needed — our team will advise you at booking.
Driving before the safe drive-away time has lapsed can cause the windscreen to shift position before it has set. This typically results in water leaks and wind noise, requiring the windscreen to be removed and refitted. Please wait for the all-clear from your technician before driving away.
Our technicians vacuum all broken glass from the vehicle before handover. Rear-view mirrors and any reusable stickers are re-applied where possible, and the vehicle is left clean and ready to drive.
No. You only need to be available to complete the pre and post inspections at the start and end of the job.
Yes. Autoboys Glass Services operates 130+ mobile windscreen repair and replacement vehicles across South Africa — we come to your home, office, or any convenient location. Please note that where camera and sensor calibration (ADAS) is required after replacement, the vehicle will need to come in-store. Contact us to confirm at booking.
In many cases, yes. A chip smaller than a R5 coin and outside the driver’s line of sight can usually be repaired. Our technicians will assess the damage and advise whether a repair or full replacement is the right solution.
A small blemish may remain visible, but a successful chip repair will significantly reduce the visibility of the damage, prevent it from spreading, and restore the structural integrity of the glass. The goal is to repair — not to make the chip invisible.
Yes. Temperature changes, vibration, and road pressure can cause a chip to crack and spread. Repairing a chip early is far more cost-effective than waiting for it to become a full replacement.
Many South African insurers cover windscreen chip repairs at no cost to the policyholder — without affecting your no-claims bonus. Check your policy or contact us, and we’ll assist with the claim process.
No. A chip repair claim is typically treated separately from a replacement claim. Repairing early can actually help prevent a more costly replacement claim later.
A repaired chip will generally meet roadworthy requirements, provided the damage is not in the driver’s primary field of vision and the repair is structurally sound. Our technicians follow SABS standards for all repairs.
In some cases, particularly with older or more complex chips, the repair resin may not bond perfectly, and the chip could crack further. Our technicians will assess this risk before proceeding and will advise you accordingly.
Camera and sensor calibration (ADAS) is required after any windscreen replacement on a vehicle fitted with camera-based driver assistance systems. It may also be required after suspension work, wheel alignment, or any incident that could have shifted the camera’s angle. Always confirm with your technician at time of service.
We offer both static calibration (performed in-store using specialist calibration targets) and dynamic calibration (performed while driving). The type required depends on your vehicle’s make, model, and manufacturer specifications. Our technicians will confirm which process applies at booking.
Our technicians use a combination of water pressure testing and electronic leak detection equipment to accurately locate the source of leaks around windscreens and vehicle glass. This ensures an accurate diagnosis before any repair is carried out.
The most common causes are deteriorating or incorrectly applied adhesive, damaged or aged rubber seals, poor previous fitment workmanship, or minor body damage that has compromised the sealing surface around the glass.
In many cases, a leaking windscreen can be resealed without full replacement, particularly if the glass itself is undamaged and the seal has simply failed. Our technician will assess and recommend the most appropriate and cost-effective repair.
Where a leak relates to a glass fitment carried out by Autoboys Glass Services, it is covered under our lifetime workmanship warranty. For leaks arising from other causes, our team will assess the issue and advise whether it falls within an insurance claim before any work begins.
Before and after every automotive glass job, our technicians complete a full digital inspection of your vehicle. This creates a complete, timestamped record of your vehicle’s condition and the work carried out — protecting both you and Autoboys Glass Services, and supporting any insurance windscreen claim.
A vehicle underwriting inspection is a comprehensive bumper-to-bumper check required by insurers before a new short-term insurance policy is approved. Our technicians identify and record any existing problem areas so your cover can be activated without disputes later.
We offer underwriting inspections free of charge to policyholders of our insurer partners. Contact us to confirm whether your insurer qualifies, or check with your broker before booking.
Please bring your vehicle, a valid South African driver’s licence or ID document, and your insurer’s booking reference if applicable. For underwriting inspections, bring your policy schedule or broker instruction letter if available.
A standard inspection is quick and convenient — usually completed within 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the vehicle and the type of inspection required. No appointment-long wait is needed; most customers are in and out the same visit.
EtchGuard is a vehicle security service where a unique identification number is permanently etched into all the glass panels of your vehicle. This links your glass to your vehicle registration and deters theft by making the glass traceable and unmarketable to thieves.
Etched glass is easily identifiable and traceable, which significantly reduces its resale value to thieves. Vehicles with etched glass are also statistically less likely to be targeted because the glass cannot easily be resold or transferred to another vehicle.
Some insurers offer a discount on premiums for vehicles with glass etching as it is a recognised theft deterrent. Check with your insurer or broker to find out if you qualify for a discount.
Yes, the etching is permanent and cannot be removed without destroying the glass. The process does not structurally damage or weaken the glass in any way — the etch is a surface marking only.
Yes. EtchGuard can be applied to all makes and models, including passenger vehicles and commercial fleets, at selected Autoboys Glass Services fitment centres across Gauteng.
We’re South Africa’s largest franchised automotive glass specialist — 55+ fitment centres, 130+ mobile units, BBBEE Level 1 rated, approved by all major South African insurers. We let our work speak for itself. Get a quote and see why our clients keep coming back.
Our team is here to help with windscreen repair, replacement, insurance claims, and finding your nearest fitment centre.
