datola:
Most Nigeria's mechanics are 'Kazeems"

I observed they all use Mobil XHP for all cars and the educated illiterate customers driving latest cars will watch them as they pour wrong oil grade into their car engines.

That's why Nigerian used cars engines are nothing to write home about after one or two years of use.

I prefer servicing my car at organised service centres and even at that I watch and direct them as they work on the car.

partnerbiz4:

I mean, how do you avoid the mechanics altogether.

Do you drive brand new cars?

AutoJoshNG:


It is paramount to ensure your car is at its optimal operating condition at all times. Even though this regular maintenance will cost you some money, it will make your car not to suffer a catastrophic failure that can milk your pockets dry.

It is a very easy task for dubious mechanics to extort a car owner who does not have a very good knowledge or experiences about cars. Some of these mechanics are not after the well-being of your car, they have an agenda to make money through you. That’s why some of them will make you come back every now and then.

We at Autojosh came up with some simple tips that will enable you get all the right services you are paying for.

Follow these few steps to be on safe hands.

1. Get the basic knowledge about cars:

If you’re among those that can tell apart a radiator and an air-conditioner condenser, this is for you. You need to have the basic knowledge of most of the parts in your car, so the mechanics don’t end up telling you they need to service the wiper blade in the alternator.

In order to protect your wallet, start learning from today. There are a lot of things you can read here on Autojosh. Go through our blog and thank us later.

2. Use a diagnostic tool:

Scanning a car in Nigeria is not all that cheap. Some workshops will charge as much as N5000 or even N10,000 to scan your car. Scanning your car will give you an edge of knowing the actual problem with your car. It will save you a lot of grammar and explanations from the mechanic.

Getting an OBD scanner of your own isn’t a bad idea if you have the money. You will enjoy it on the long run.

3. Identify the reason why you want to take your car to the mechanic:

When you don’t have a diagnostic tool, this is something you should find out. With your knowledge and the signs the fault put out, you should be able to point out what the problem could be.

Is the car misfiring? It could be plug related. Is the coolant in the radiator mixed with oil? It indicates your top/head gasket has been compromised.

When the reason why you want to take your car to the mechanic is very clear to you, you’re on the right track.

4. Ask questions and rely on referrals:

There is this saying that the devil you know is better than the angel you don’t know. Ask your friends, co-workers, neighbors about a very good mechanic they know. These groups of persons are in a good position to share their experiences with mechanics with you. If they felt any of the mechanics cheated them, they will tell you, so you know how to deal with them.

Referrals from friends, family, or colleagues could be the best way to find a good mechanic.

5. Check the prices of the car parts you’re likely to buy:

A bad mechanic won’t leave out any chance to milk you dry. Buying of spare parts is one of the ways they can do you strong thing. When you know that the price of an air filter is N3000, you can’t fall for a dubious mechanic price tag of N5000.

6. Ask mechanics for the old parts:

Some mechanics charge for replacement of parts without changing anything.

Asking for the old parts is one of the ways you can ensure they don’t collect money for new parts and not fix it up in your car. This works well when you are present where they are fixing your car.

Tell them before hand you need those old parts.

When you stick to these tips, the chances of a mechanic ripping you off are minimal. Even though they can still play smart, but it would be milder.



Kindly let us know other things one can do to avoid being ripped off by mechanics.

We hope this helps.

Don’t forget to like, rate and share.


Source: https://autojosh.com/6-ways-avoid-being-ripped-off-nigerian-mechanics/

pacespot:
Good points.

I fix my generator by myself these days.

TeeFriz:
Nigeria mechanics are the worst to think of.. One wanted to change my water pump and asked for 10k, I actually transferred the money to him and somethi in me just pricked me to know the actual amount (maybe because I was actually broke). I boarded a bike and down to the auto shop. I met it for 5k...like WTF��.

And this guy was like workmanship is 5k,and he did one other stuff which is 1k. All together I was to pay #16k for just water pump change. I didn't say anything I waited till he was done but told him to make sure he brings the old part.

Baba came and got vexed saying why will I be telling him to bring the part, that hasn't he been bringing before now. I said yes you have but can I have the receipt of the water pump you bought? He said he had torn it and because before now I don't ask for receipts anytime he buys something or changes anything so he felt it was of no use. Immediately I confronted him and told him what I found out... Baba kept trying to play smart (mind you it was the same auto shop we both went).

I just jejely deducted the actual price of the pump from the initial deposit and rounded everything up (plus his workmanship and stuff). Till today I still dey find mechanic.

tensazangetsu20:


I don't see why you are complaining about this. marking up parts is normal for mechanics. It's the same way doctors mark up drugs gotten from pharmacists. Besides your mechanic might have gotten a higher quality one. Would you pay for double labour if the part you got for the mechanic didn't work?

Logobenz3:

No drive benz because routine maintenance will cost as much as an engine replacement for a Toyota.
Whether you like it or not,if you've got a Mercedes,your rip-off is sure and will make you wonder if you've gotta keep expending this much on a car?
But what can we do?necessary evil and we love it

Shalomc:

German cars are NOT meant for technological iddiots. They are not built for money miss road owners who only throw money at cars.

Yusuf4:
How much is an OBD scanner

serah88:
Get a SMART CAR SCANNER

Afam4eva:

I don't avoid them. I just get ripped off most of the time.