Good car mechanic in Colombia or Venezuela
 

Hi guys

I am doing a trip around South America and trying to get a list of good auto mechanics in all the different countries just in case I need one, Ive got alot so far but still nothing for Colombia or Venezuela

Any infor would be appreciated

Cheers

Easy peasy :0) here is how I do it.
 

Spend a little time* reading the appropriate section, locate the addresses of those recommended, use GM or GE to obtain geo-coordinates.
Go to your manufacturer's website, pick up the addresses ( and other data like phone/email/website) of dealerships and do the same along your intended route.
Use Google, Bing etc to search other trip reports all over the web and when you are done, create .gpx file to hold all the data in one easy place to put onto your satnav- Easy but time consuming :)

I do this for places to visit/accom, fuel,mecs, parts, tyres, medics, embassies, campsites, borders, friends, UPS/DHL, transport points etc.
It provides information instantly on your sat nav ( in addition to whatever is in your mapping) without the need for an internet connection. Inevitably, some info is gets out of date or not there- so you just go onto the next one.

* read a long time!

What you are asking for is extremely hard to find.
First you must narrow down the problem by looking for mechanics which specialize in your model of vehicle. Then you have to find recommendations from other owners (locals are for more trustworthy on this than foreigners). Then you will also have to source parts locally.

It has taken me many years to compile a South America gpx file of mechanics and parts suppliers for my make of vehicle.

The easiest solution to your problem is when you arrive in a country, look for vehicles similar to yours. Approach the owners and ask for a recommendation. Do this regardless if you have problems or not.

Hi Betrand

what do you mean about ' reading the appropriate section,' - you mean on the Hubb? - I have done searches on here and found nothing for 4x4 mechanics in colombia or venezuela, its all been bikes and as for google and bing, ive just spent hours looking for 4x4 mechanics and found very little which is why I posted here

whats your make of vehicle Gunt - mines a Mitsi Pajero

Yes I mean use the search function on the Hubb-
Is this does not produce any result, search the web and your manufacturer's website-
Look at Travel blogs
Search the web

My 4 legged friend is a Toyota.

For example- look at this- it has an email - maybe you can write and ask-
also look for 4x4 enthusiast sites

Mitsubishi central & latin america

Mitsubishi Columbia they should be able to give you a list of their dealership network.

usted tendrá que hacer una investigación a mi hombre :smiliex: buena suerte en su búsqueda

Thanks for the info Bertrand

Hopefully someone with some personal experience will see this post aswell

Mine is a Landrover.
one of the good things about LRs is that everywhere the owners are fanatics and there are LR clubs to get help from. Not so with most other makes.

I had a Unimog, so it's even tricker. Search for overlander blogs with similar vehicles who have passed through these countries and ask them. We have all wanted a mechanic at some point or other.

Merv.

I have found so many for all the other countries, even the gianas but only one contact for venezuela and still nothing in Colombia, I did read something about car spares being very highly taxed on import so maybe I will just have to forget Colombia

I found parts in Colombia to be price competitive with US/EUR prices. Prices in Argentina, Uruguay, and Brasil are not competitive.

ok thanks Gunt

what kind?
 

Hey KK

What make and model vehicle are you driving? We might be able to help you out a bit more if the key details are known.

A lot of issues are generic, oil changes, flat tires. I have picked up after market brake pads at a general purpose motorcycle shop in Brazil for my BMW. Imagine, I didn't buy the brake pads at a BMW dealer...shocking. I wish I knew my motorcycle better when a BMW deal diagnosed a chipped sprocket gear as the root of the clacking sound...then fixed the problem at BMW dealer prices. The work was top notch and they put me at the front of the line. With more mechanical experience I could have located a generic set of sprockets, a chain and had a cheaper mechanic do the work. But I saved time, which was in short supply at the time. Recently I took on the work of replacing sprockets and chain while at home. Where was a learning curve, but next time I will have a spare set of sprockets, a chain, master link(s) and a chain breaker tool with me. Because I can expect those part to wear out during extended travel.

If you know your vehicle and carry a few common parts (ex. oil filters, brake pads, windshield wiper blades...), then you can do the work yourself or find ANY mechanic that is worth a damn, and your back on the road.

But if you fear needing a specialized part that is only made for your vehicle (read: zero after market substitutes, nada, nothing, zip) then do the following. Research your vehicle manufacturer's international website for country by country list of dealers. This will not always help. To your immediate question, resources in Colombia and Venezuela, the BMW motorcycle dealer in Caracas, VN, did not have an oil filter for a F800GS in stock...all other motorcycle parts shops only had confused looks. Even dealers don't always keep a deep inventory common parts in Latin America. Its an issue. Here is the take away: everything is possible, not is certain. Be prepared as possible within reason (carry spares), and be ready to seek alternative solutions

When all else fails, have the hyper specialized part(s) shipped in by Fedex or DHL (alternately take your chances with brand X international shipping services, but find one that is recommended. Fairly recent posts described a nightmare shipping a simple package from Miami.)

Last word, chances are much less will ever go wrong then you think and the re-telling the tale of figuring yourself out of a situation is why you went on a frickin adventure anyway. right? I tend to over plan,yself, but any more I realize the little stuff all works out.

Hi Bod, Im driving a Mitsubishi Pajero and will probably be looking to get it serviced in Colombia or Venezuela as I would have done 10k by then

really?
 

I don't know what you are looking for, but did you try Googling "Mitsubishi Venezuela"?

Mitsubishi head quarters:
Venezuela | Mitsubishi Corporation

Two dealers in Venezuela:

Uniauto, C.A.
Dirección:
Av. Andrés Bello entre Av. Las Palmas
y Av. La Salle, Los Caobos, diagonal
al Colegio de Periodistas.
Caracas, Distrito Capital

Teléfono:
0212-782.2976 / 2209 / 2223
Fax:
0212-793.1508

Información:

Teléfonos adicionales:
0212-782.3827 / 254

Automotores La Florida, C.A.
Dirección: Av. Los Mangos,
Edificio Automotores La Florida.
La Florida, Caracas - Venezuela.

Teléfono:
0212-731.5578 / 7545 / 1320
Fax:
0212-731.7545

Información:
Teléfonos adicionales:

0212 - 730.5367
0212 - 730.4086

Página Web:
www.automotoreslaflorida.com

Contacting the national club might open all sorts of doors. Or your message might get ignored. Only a test message will tell. It won't hurt to have this website handy.
www.clubmitsubishi.com.ve/

Everything I wrote earlier about spare parts still applies. They might have it at the dealer or they might not. Generic parts dealers might have a generic part that the dealer doesn't have or may have something that is just as good and cheaper.

If you are planning to visit Angel Falls, one jumping off point is Ciudad Bolivar. You can fly from there, as getting there overland is very difficult. Stay at Posada Don Carlos, run by a German, Martin Haars and VN wife. They will set you up with a great Angel Falls package, airfare, lodging, food, transfers. Martin is way cool and the posada accommodates all comers. Hammocks to private rooms. Really beautiful building. While in town visit the Jesús Rafael Soto art museum, free admission, kick ass international modern art. You must stop there and you won't believe the level of art in a back water town.