Rain-damaged vehicles and rising repair costs in Karachi

Getting just engines fixed is costing Rs15,000 to Rs20,000, lament citizens

KARACHI:

The recent spell of torrential rains in Karachi has not only wreaked havoc on the roads and houses, but also caused damage to several thousand cars and motorcycles, The Express Tribune has learned.

Citizens have started thronging automobile workshops in great numbers to get their vehicles fixed for damages caused to them after remaining submerged in water for several days.

The heavy downpour in the recent days caused several feet of water to accumulate in residential areas, damaging most of the parked vehicles. Meanwhile, cars and motorcycles running on the roads during rainstorms also began to malfunction.

Among them, automatic cars have sustained the highest amount of damages as their chip cards are acting up.

Chip cards regulate car health and indicate how much oil is needed, when a car needs cleaning, and whether there is some internal fault.

Owing to the growing demand for maintenance, the daily wages of mechanics in workshops have also increased. They are charging hefty amounts for routine jobs, while according to citizens, their problems have compounded after rains.

Among other things, vehicle owners are complaining about damaged seats and interiors of the car as well as faulty engines.

As a result, the most popular markets for auto parts and accessories, located at Tariq Road, Water Pump, and Tibet Plaza, have long queues of vehicles throughout the day, while workers can be seen repairing damaged windows, lights, and automobiles’ interiors. The servicing of wheels and brakes has also become indispensable for most vehicles and the repair work of commercial vehicles has also increased along with private vehicles.

Citizens maintain that the engine repair work of the affected vehicles is costing them Rs15,000 to Rs20,000, while interior repair has also incurred the cost of several thousand rupees.

Besides, people have to spend thousands of rupees to get their cars’ shocks, ball joints, and jumps- which had been damaged because of post-rain dilapidation of roads- repaired.

A mechanic from a workshop on MA Jinnah Road said that an unpleasant odour lingers in most vehicles , while fungus is growing on seats and floor mats, which have to be replaced, thus adding up to the costs.

“Apart from cars, the repair work of motorcycles has also increased exponentially over the last three weeks,” he said. “The wheel bearings of motorcycles have been damaged due to water. Similarly, front and rear jumps has also need repair in most motorcycles.”

He added that most citizens are seen changing the rims and oils of the motorcycles. In addition, engines and carburettors filled with water are also causing problems to motorcyclists. Regional motorcycle repair centres in the city open workshops very early in the morning, while temporary shops on sidewalks are also being set up due to the growing demand.

Citizens say that apart from the cost of engine oil, repairing motorcycles costs around Rs300 to Rs400 per month, but after the rains, the condition of the roads has worsened due which motorcycles are sustaining increased damages.

According to the mechanic, owing to rising inflation and increasing costs of new auto parts, most motorcycle owners are buying old parts, if available.

“Spare parts have become more expensive due to the depreciating value of the rupee. Consequently, most motorcyclists prefer old or second-hand parts over new parts,” he said. “Rains have subsided, but the worries of the citizens are far from over.”

Due to the extraordinary workload, workshops have now taken up space on sidewalks, adding to commuters’ difficulties.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 17^th, 2020.