MBOMBELA – For any person whose handicap is being born with two left thumbs, getting the help you need when it comes to vehicle maintenance can come with its own set of problems. I have never professed to being a practical person. I leave the servicing, fixing and general maintenance to the professionals.
This disability has seen my wife and I haemorrhaging money after a recent experience with a “mechanic”. My problems started in March when I arrived in Mbombela. My trusty steed had always been reliable and fuel-efficient up to then. After an event I attended at the Lowveld National Botanical Garden, she just gave up.
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Checking the gauge like a true car aficionado, I determined that the vehicle was overheating. The first thought that entered my mind was that my regular mechanic had serviced her just a week ago. How could he not have foreseen that this would happen?
Fast forward to two months later and all sorts of problems surfaced. First, the cylinder head was cracked (according to him), then the release bearing had to be replaced.
The clutch cable packed up and after a few cursory examinations, he said, “Your gearbox has just given in. This will cost a pretty penny.”
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In my estimation, the total cost is currently at around R8 000 and I am out of pocket and excuses. I have missed a number of workdays to deal with car problems which any employer would grow impatient with. The experience forced me to purchase another vehicle and the next hurdle is to get my car back from the “mechanic”.
