Owning a car is one of the most expensive aspects of many Nigerians’ yearly spending. A car is the 2nd largest purchase that most consumers in Nigeria make, after a home. But, it’s a fact that costs never stop when you own a vehicle. Aside from insurance and fuel costs which are certainly a big part of the total cost of owning a car each year, car repairs can be extremely costly for car owners. No matter where you live, you can expect to pay some money on necessary car repairs. Preventative maintenance is very important, but it can still be pricey.

Generally, car repairs can be particularly detrimental to a budget when they are unexpected; it can help to budget ahead of time and plan for common repairs. Jumia Travel lists some smart moves to save serious money on car repairs.

If your car is still under warranty, take it back to the dealer for free repairs

Most new vehicles and even some Tokunbo cars sold in Nigeria come with 1-3 years warranty that covers most almost everything. Ensure you know the specifics of your warranty and take advantage of it as most time, they cover free repairs at your dealership.

Fix it yourself if you can

Car repairs may seem complicated but many of the maintenance and auto repair jobs are still simple enough that you can do them yourself. Almost anyone should be able to change their own wiper blades, replace their air filter, change their oil, replace a headlight, change a battery, or even replace belts as long as they have the required tools. Even more, YouTube is a great resource for finding videos that explain how to repair many car issues. In a case where the problem is beyond your capabilities, though, take it to a shop as fixing it blindingly can cause more damage and eventually incur more costs.

Have a mechanic you trust

A major reason why many Nigerians spend a lot of money on repairs is because they patronize a mechanic who is either fraudulent or does not know the intricacies of the job. Ensure you do not patronize random mechanics at different times, entrust your vehicle to a mechanic or repair shop you can trust and try to go to the particular garage or mechanic each time you need something fixed that you can’t fix yourself. Becoming a regular customer endears you to them and they would even do some free jobs for you at times. If you don’t know of a good mechanic, try asking friends or family for a recommendation.

Skip maintenance that you don’t actually need

When you buy a car, the vendor (especially if he has given you warranty) will inform you that there are basic car maintenance procedures you have to complete at intervals, but the truth is, while regular preventative maintenance on your car will actually save you money, not all maintenance needs to be done as often as the service centers suggest. For instance, spark plugs also don’t need to be changed very often and the car oil doesn’t need to be changed every 3,000 miles.

Use local shops instead of brand chains

Most people believe that going to the car brand’s repair would ensure they get their car properly repaired. But while these places might be ok, they can be quite expensive when it comes to the small mechanical jobs and services. Also, they tend to not provide the level of service that many local shops will provide. Local shops tend to provide a better service, get the job done right in shorter time, and are economical on price.

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/ways-nigerians-save-money-car-repairs/

cc: Lalasticlala, Mynd44

OK how about...

how can a Nigerian man use 1litter of Patrol d whole day

Just don't buy a car...

Kingdollar28:
OK how about...

how can a Nigerian man use 1litter of Petrol d whole day

You username is 'Kingdollar28' and you looking for such fuel economising tips?

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In as much that I also celebrate with my Nigerian brothers to celebrate today, but we still need to think back.

What is there to celebrate?

What is there to celebrate when graduates who their parents struggled to send to school cannot get job, to be able to put food on the table of their parents.

What is their celebrate when the epileptic power supply in the country at present is killing the dreams of small scale entrepreneurs.

What is there to celebrate, when people are dieing of hunger everyday.

What is there to celebrate, when people want to leave the giant of Africa to even the worst African country just to survive.

What is there to celebrate when the product of 5naira has increased to 100naira, and the present minimum wage still remain the same.

What is there to celebrate when our roads is still in shambles

What is there to celebrate when our political leaders loot public funds, and invest it only on their present and unborn generations yet to come.

What is there to celebrate when we have godfatherrism in our politics

What is there to celebrate, when a graduate is earning 20k as a salary per month.

What is there to celebrate when a whole president budget billions for medical trip abroad, when our hospitals in Nigeria is nothing to write home about.

What is there to celebrate when our forces kill innocent Nigerians, without justice taking its place.

What is there to celebrate when you can't even work freely in your own country.


I guess its now time to stand up and be counted.

Thanks. This is encouraging. I've always avoided working on my car myself. I'll start now unless the problem is much.

Point number two is my biggest challenge. Most mechanics are money-sucking demons

5. Drive less.
The less you drive, the less the wear and tear and fuel consumption

As for the oil change, most new cars (those manufactured after 2005) need an oil change after 5,000 miles. However, if you use the Mobil 1 oil, you'd only need to change the oil after 10,000 miles.

PDPGuy:
As for the oil change, most new cars (those manufactured after 2005) need an oil change after 5,000 miles. However, if you use the Mobil 1 oil, you'd only need to change the oil after 10,000 miles.

Change oil after covering 8,000km and 16,000km for Mobil 1!

Oga, this is like going to Abuja to Lagos 8 times before oil change...

Not true!

PS. 1mile is 1.6km

Nice one .my husband left his car nd travelled and I mistakenly scratch the side while driving out of the compound .I don't know what to do to it before he returns cos he warned me not to drive alone when he is not around to supervise my driving .any idea how I can fix it without much expenses on me .

P

fkj950ax:


Change oil after covering 8,000km and 16,000km for Mobil 1!

Oga, this is like going to Abuja to Lagos 8 times before oil change...

Not true!

PS. 1mile is 1.6km

Actually its been proven that your engine oil last longer when your car is used for long journey

Except of course when your engine shorts oil, in which case you can still top it up or replace the oil.

Most owner manual recommend 4000 -5000 miles for mineral oils (SAE 20-40) and doulbe that for synthetic oils (eg mobil 1)

Its a waste of money to change oil after 4000km except if you've driven in a very dusty environment/flooded area and you feel you have to do that to preserve the life of your engine. Otherwise, you are just polluting the environment with used oil which by the way is meant to be recycled and not just poured on the ground/drain

[quote author=Opinionated post=56953738]
spark plugs also don’t need to be changed very often and the car oil doesn’t need to be changed every 3,000 miles.


I don't agree with that. Changing of oil needs to be prompt when the oil is due. This is the best care an engine gets. When the engine is always well serviced, its gonna last longer. Its a secret that prevents smoking engine and enhances better performance

ok