DOHA: Car spare parts are not only expensive in Qatar but they are also not easily available, say many customers.
Vehicle owners have been forced to wait for months to get the original spare parts or end up buying a used or counterfeit product.
The problem is part of the allegedly poor after sales services of many exclusive car dealers, who are quick to put the blame for the shortage on consignment delays and import bottlenecks.
“It is difficult to get many original spare parts in Qatar in a short time. It is also not easy to find a used one in the market. The Consumer Protection Department is not doing anything to address the issue,” a customer named Mohammed Ibrahim Manazil told Al Sharq.
Ali Al Baker, a citizen said that many customers were forced to go to the neighbouring countries looking for spare parts because they are either expensive or short in supply in Qatar.
“The dealers don’t care to provide the spare parts in time as well as the after sales or proper maintenance,” said Al Kuwari.
Another citizen, Abdul Aziz Al Emadi, said he had to give orders to a workshop in the Industrial Area to make a new door for his car, since he could not find one in the market.
“When I checked with the dealers, they said it is not available and will take about two months to bring a new one. I searched all spare parts shops, but with no success,” he said.
Complaints about the high prices of cars and spare parts in Qatar are not new. But some customers say that the prices of some original spare parts are almost double in Qatar, compared to some neighbouring countries.
“I wanted to buy two axels for my car and I was told by the dealers that it will cost more than QR4,000. I made enquiries with a dealer in the UAE, who promised to provide the original spare parts at nearly half the prices,” he said.
He said after sales services of many car dealers are abysmally poor. “If you have some problems with your car, they will give you an appointment in a one month period to fix the problem,” he said.
The Peninsula
