The European car mechanic in Singapore. Ah John!

Before reading this article, I urge reader to look at the comments too. Altought I write this article based on my best knowledge of John, there are people which encountered very bad experience of him. I also started to doubt myself about him. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that I fully agreed with the information provided by the comment. It is just that every driver encountered bad workshop... I mean who hasn't. So you are absolutely right to read very thing in the internet with a pinch of salt.   

14 Sin Ming Industrial Est Sector B, Singapore 575658
6556 0103

When it comes to brand like Citroen, Renault, Opel cars, drivers in Singapore have a goosebumps all over the body. The repair cost can be a nightmare for most. Lucky for me, I found John. I bought a Renault Kangoo van back in 2006 and got myself in pretty deep shit. The previous owner did not really take care of it and the van is always in constant troubles. I had been to a few workshops and didn't got the problem solve, until I googled in the internet and read some forum posts about John.

On my first visit to John's workshop in Sin Ming industrial park, upon pulling up on the shop's car pouch, the first word he said was,"Your clutch plate is fucked up!". I was like WTH... I told him no way because I bought this van less than a year and the dealer changed a new set of clutch plate for buying the van. He asked why am I so sure about it and I told him the old clutch plate is still tossed behind the van. He took a peek and burst into laughter. He say I have been conned as Renault clutch set come with the housing and stuffs. The old clutch plate lying behind my van was probably from some diesel Japan van or mini lorry. My mind was contradicting about this man that I just met. Is he really that good? I asked myself. Just by listening to the sound when I drove up the 3% gradient sloop he diagnosed my van?



I told him about my problem of engine under power and occasionally lack of "breathe". He popped the bonnet and burst into another laughter. He explain that the diesel filter for this model comes with the sensor and control by the ECM. My van, according to him, has been swapped for a Isuzu 10 footer lorry diesel filter. The diesel did not goes through a compression before sending into the chambers. He also ask me how the hell I'm able to drive this for the pass 4 months. I was pretty embarrassed by his comment but definitely not offended.

After couple of hours my van was ready. The price was a relieve as I prepared $1200 and the whole repair including clutch set, a full servicing and the whole diesel filter set replaced with wiring. It came up to be a bit more of $600. He guaranty a new driving experience and true enough, I felt a great responsive engine beneath the hood. This is John.

Last night I went to seek his rescue again. Now I drove a Citroen C4 and feeling safe knowing I have John within reach. I changed the rear bearing and disc brake kit, did a full servicing of replacing engine oil, oil filter, air filter and the spark plugs, all using original parts. The damages was like $410. Many people will hold back buying a European car in Singapore. So do I. When I first took over the car, the previous owner has spent a bomb on the car with all the receipt intact. It totaled up to near $14k. After 2 years owning this car, I spent less than $1.5k in repairing including a aircon coil, condenser, rear brake disc, battery, etc. All these are possible because I know John.

There is some trade off same as many things beside car maintenance. You see, John is not your regular mechanic. You know he is not for you when,

1) You cannot stand a traditional dirty workshop. If you are the kind that believe dealership like servicing workshop with state of art equipment are only reliable.

2) You cannot take straight answers but preferred customers rights. You have a sick driving habits that caused the excessive wear in parts, don't expect John to beat around bushes to get to the point. He is going to tell you your sick driving habits right in your face.

3) You cannot stand the lack of customers waiting area. He will tell you to F.O to the nearest coffee shop and bring his Kopi O on your way back.

So what is good about John?

He has knowledge and years of experience in European cars. He is not ambitious and believe making enough is enough. He even show me his invoice to buy my parts from stockist and tell me he mark up 10% for profits which I feel it is very fair. He always have the habit of saving for customers, things that don't need to be replace, he will ask you to use it until next servicing. He also work till late night perfect for people that could not afford to take leave from work during the day.

Ah John, refusing to take a picture. You can call him at 9789 6715