Car and bike services in Kathmandu: who to call for what

When your car or bike goes wrong, the hardest part is often not the repair. It is knowing who to call. A tyre problem, a battery problem and a brake problem need different people, and calling the wrong one costs you an hour you did not have.

This guide matches the problem to the service, explains what each one does, and points to a longer guide where we have one. It covers cars and bikes in Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur.

Breakdown, an accident, or a vehicle that simply will not go. This is a job for towing and roadside assistance. They can tow a car or a bike, help with fuel and minor roadside problems, and move a vehicle after a small accident. Our guide on what to do when your vehicle breaks down and how to call for a tow is in Nepali; the short version is to get to a safe spot, turn on your hazard lights, note your exact location, and then call.

The engine will not start. Check whether it is the battery before anything else, because it usually is. A slow crank, a clicking sound or dim lights point to a battery and electrical problem. Our step-by-step guide to a dead car battery shows how to tell a flat battery from other faults and how to jump-start safely.

• Tyres. A puncture, a damaged sidewall, a wheel that shakes at speed or a car that pulls to one side belongs with tyre and wheel services. Read the puncture and tyre repair guide to know when a repair is fine and when you should replace the tyre.
• Cars. Noises, brakes, overheating, warning lights and routine servicing are car repair and servicing. The post on what affects the price of a car service helps you ask better questions before you agree to a job.
• Bikes. A bike that will not start, a loose chain or a soft brake is bike repair and servicing. We wrote a Roman Nepali guide on what to check when your bike will not start, and the bike servicing guide covers what a service should include. In many places a mechanic can collect the bike, service it and bring it back.

• Dents and paint. Scratches, dents and faded panels go to denting and painting. It helps to get the work described and agreed before it starts.
• Buying a used vehicle. Before you pay for a second-hand car or bike, a vehicle inspection can find the problems a test drive will not. Our guide to what to check when buying a used car or bike lists the key points, and the pre-monsoon checklist is worth running on any vehicle you already own.
• Washing and detailing. For a full clean, interior care or getting a vehicle ready to sell, see washing and detailing and the guide to choosing a car wash.
• Parts and accessories. If you know what you need, spare parts and auto accessories save you a trip around the market.

Some of the best reasons to call a service have nothing to do with a broken vehicle. After a party, a feast or a long day, a driver on call is a licensed driver who drives your own car home, so you and the car both arrive safely. We explain how it works in get home safe in your own car.

Najik does not ask you to browse and compare a hundred listings. The steps are the same for every vehicle service:

1. Describe the job in a sentence or two.
2. We call you back, usually within two hours, to confirm what you need and where you are.
3. A local provider comes to you, or collects the vehicle where that is possible.
4. You pay the provider directly when the work is done. Najik takes no fee from the customer.

We work in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur and Chandragiri. Availability varies by service and place, so we confirm it when we call you back.

• What exactly is wrong, and how do you know? A good mechanic can show you.
• What does the job include, and what could change the price? Ask for the work in writing or by message.
• Can I keep the old parts? Seeing the replaced part is a simple way to confirm it was changed.
• Is there a warranty on the work or the parts?
• How long will it take?

Never pay for work you have not understood. If a quote feels vague, ask again or get a second opinion.