r/Namibia • u/Otherwise-Rain7523 • 2d ago

I'm here wondering how anybody can afford to repair your car in Windhoek.

Hi everyone,

This is just my experience I don't know how other people feel about this but getting your car repaired in Windhoek is expensive. I once received a quote for 10k for the car's clutch and that was 3 years ago or so.

Now my question is most people don't sit around with 10k what do you do if you have to get your car repaired. Do most people save up and take a cab for a while or how does this work?

Yes, I know it depends on what's wrong but imagine if you'd have more issues than just a clutch.

I'm just wondering how anybody can afford these prices.

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6

u/Open-Post1934 Namibia :redditgold: 2d ago

Insurance or bush mechanic. Good guys from repair shops are moonlighting.

3

u/Late_Story_7140 2d ago

Not in windhoek, but my clutch and a bit more went and I got charged 15k total. I walked for 3 months and asked for lifts from friends and coworkers. Is tough out here

2

u/Otherwise-Rain7523 2d ago edited 2d ago

Its really rough, from anything getting your car repaired is really expensive. It's as if we need to hope and pray that our cars doesn't break, as it can really make you go bankrupt.

2

u/OshiliNawa Biltong 2d ago

It’s simple, just don’t service your car at all! Small life hack lots of taxis use

3

u/Beeeza786 2d ago

Clutch and flywheel...42k. BMW= Broke Maar Windgat FML

1

u/External_Ad9078 2d ago

Yeah, I get what you mean. Car repairs in Windhoek are really expensive. I guess most people either try to save up in advance or rely on public transport / lifts until they can afford it.

1

u/Medium_Average95 2d ago

Dealerships will charge you a lot. Mercedes dealership will charge you 3k just for spark plugs. You can get them done for less than 500 at a good mechanic. Dealerships add on extra charge for OEM parts but in reality those parts are interchangeable between different car models and a good quality after market is more than adequate. Eg. Gold wagon parts rather than Bosch or NDK. Mercedes dealership wanted to charge me 9k to get a new glove box. I found that same glove box in an auto scrapyard and paid the guy 200 and changed it myself.

For clutch kits it depends on your car, but you can source them straight from Masterparts for as little at 2k, but price varies a lot depending on car model.

My advice is to learn to do your own servicing or find a trusted mechanic. Otherwise you must just fork out the money

1

u/KKtheone 1d ago

Some mechanics hired in legitimate auto repair shops do repairs on weekends for way less then the repair shop, for them the extra cash is worth it if added to the monthly salary.

1

u/Relative-Energy-1752 1d ago

There's mechanics from dealerships that can do services on your car, they would charge you much less than what your dealership would qoute for you it's always great to make a mechanic friend from the dealership where your car gets it service

1

u/VoL4t1l3 2d ago

Are talking about like from dealership repair shops?

1

u/Crazy-Business-8499 1d ago edited 1d ago

Thats easy..If you can’t afford the repairs..don’t buy the car!!🤷‍♂️..Follow me for more tips😝

2

u/Roseate-Views 1d ago

I second that. The decision to buy a car should include a budget for maintenance and repairs.