Major Causes Of Car Problems In Nigeria – Best tips to follow

You might be wondering why cars easily develop faults in Nigeria. Could it be the fault of the driver of the vehicle is just not good or a combination of both? In reality, a number of factors cause car problems in Nigeria. If you are contemplating why cars frequently need repairs in Nigeria, then you are on the right page. In this article, Carmart Nigeria brings you 7 major causes of car problems in Nigeria.

1. BAD ROADS

If you have lived in Nigeria all your life, then you must be familiar with the poor road conditions prevalent in the country. In fact, in certain areas, the roads are largely untarred and erosion has made the road unbearable. Frequently riding a car through this kind of road is bound to make it develop faults. Cars with low wheelbase tend to be prone to damages caused by bad roads in Nigeria. The engine, shocks, bumpers etc of the car are more likely to develop a fault in a short period of time. The bad road situation in Nigeria has made many people opt for SUVs to protect the underside of their cars.

2. IGNORANCE OF DRIVERS

Driver ignorance is a major cause of car problems in Nigeria. Each vehicle has specifications and instructions about what works for it and what doesn’t, and most times, these facts are written in the owner’s manual. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, drivers rarely take time to read through the owner’s manual of their vehicles. This often leads to complications as assumptions can be costly. The owner’s manual has the recommended routine maintenance schedule, the right specs of spare parts to be used etc for the vehicle. Failure to follow these instructions can lead to car problems. 

3. BAD FUEL

All kinds of fuel do not work for any vehicle. Some vehicles have specifications on the grade of fuel to be used. However, in Nigeria, the fuel available in single octane grade fuel which won’t necessarily work for all vehicles. For instance, most premium vehicles require a minimum of 93 octane fuel, but this is not readily available in Nigeria. In this scenario, you either get an octane booster or stay stuck with the kind of fuel you can get in Nigeria. 

4. INCOMPETENT MECHANICS

Have you experienced having more challenges with your car after a mechanic repairs something on it?  Most Nigerian drivers have reported issues of their car becoming worse after a visit to the mechanic shop. This often happens when an incompetent mechanic does repair and maintenance on your vehicle. Finding a good, qualified mechanic in Nigeria can be a big challenge, however, there are tips you can use to secure one. 

5. SUBSTANDARD SPARE PARTS

It’s saddening to say that sometimes, what is sold in auto spare part markets is fake or substandard. You need to be knowledgeable and witty to be able to find original spare parts. Using a fake spare part on your vehicle will make it develop more faults or problems in no time. You find yourself spending more money on repair and maintenance. 

6. PURCHASE OF ACCIDENTED OR BAD VEHICLES

The used vehicle market in Nigeria is large since many Nigerian citizens would rather buy used cars because it is cheaper. However, the terrible thing is that some of these vehicles sold secondhand are badly accident cars which the dealer got at a ridiculously cheap price. So, the dealer simply repaired, repainted and refurbished it to sell as Tokunbo. These kinds of cars usually have severe underlying problems which will cause car challenges to anyone who falls victim to buying it. It is usually advisable to do a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) check when buying used vehicles, as this will dig up the history of the car you are about to purchase. This way, you know if the car has been involved in an accident, flood etc. 

7. POOR VEHICLE MAINTENANCE

For a vehicle to keep on functioning at its optimum level, there is certain routine maintenance that must be carried out. These include inspecting fluid levels, changing oils, inspecting the tires, examining the belts and hoses etc. Failure to do this maintenance will result in the car having frequent problems.  

CONCLUSION

Cars are made of moving parts, hence they need proper care and maintenance to keep them functioning properly.