Top performers celebrated at Lightstone’s 20th anniversary EchoMBR Awards breakfast

Lightstone, celebrated two decades of recognising excellence in South Africa’s motor body repair (MBR) industry at the 2024 EchoMBR Awards, held at an exclusive breakfast event at the Premier Hotel Midrand.

Now in its 20th year, the EchoMBR Awards continue to honour MBRs who go above and beyond to deliver outstanding customer service, repair quality, and “first-time-right” outcomes. Presented annually by Lightstone, the awards are based on the EchoMBR ranking system - the industry’s trusted benchmark for measuring customer satisfaction and service excellence across premier workshops nationwide.

“For two decades, the EchoMBR programme has been the gold standard for measuring customer satisfaction and service excellence in the motor body repair sector,” said Paul Marshall, Managing Director of Lightstone Auto. “These awards celebrate the workshops that don’t just repair cars, but build trust, elevate standards and drive the industry forward.”

The 2024 awards recognised top-performing repairers within the South African network, applauding professionals who combine technical precision with empathy and professionalism.

2024 EchoMBR Award Winners

Top National Performer
1st: Motor Accident Group
2nd: Manna Panel & Paint
3rd: MTEK Panelbeaters

Most Likely to Fix It Right the First Time
1st: Renew-It Rivonia
2nd: Summit Auto Body
3rd: Denys Edwardes

Most Likely to Be Ready on Time
1st: Renew-It Sandton
2nd: VDS Autobody
3rd: Renew-It Greenstone

Most Likely to Keep You Informed
1st: Renew-It Greenstone
2nd: Renew-It Sandton
3rd: Renew-It Bedfordview

Most Likely to Be Recommended
1st: Motor Accident Group
2nd: Manna Panel & Paint
3rd: Brighton Body & Spray

Most Likely to Have the Friendliest Staff
1st: Prestige Auto
2nd: Brighton Body & Spray
3rd: MTEK Panelbeaters

Most Likely to Provide Quality Repair
1st: Motor Accident Group
2nd: Brighton Body & Spray
3rd: Manna Panel & Paint

“EchoMBR has inspired us to challenge convention and embrace innovation as the key to excellence. This achievement reflects our vision for a future in which technology, precision and quality work hand in hand to redefine standards in motor body repair. We are honoured to be recognised as the national leader for 2024,” says John Magalhaes, Director at Motor Accident Group, which took first place at the National EchoMBR 2024 Awards.

“It’s inspiring to see the passion and professionalism our repairers bring to their craft,” added Paul Marshall. “Behind every data insight is a team of people driving real-world outcomes - improving customer journeys, operational performance and safety.”

20 Years of data-driven recognition

Since its launch in 2005, the EchoMBR programme has empowered the industry with transparency, accountability, and actionable insights. Its data-driven approach continues to promote service excellence and continuous improvement for the benefit of insurers, repairers and customers alike.

“At Lightstone, we believe excellence isn’t a destination, it’s a daily discipline,” said Bernard De Vantier-Strydom, Head of Projects & Research at Lightstone. “These winners embody what the EchoMBR programme stands for; doing the job right, building trust and serving customers with integrity.”

As the automotive repair industry continues to evolve through innovation and training, the EchoMBR Awards remain a powerful reminder that quality, trust, and service excellence never go out of style.