Abstract:
In Ghana, most of the vehicle maintenance and repair jobs are performed by wayside
mechanics and they use what is termed the ‘try and error’ to repair almost all automobile.
Based on this the study assesses the use of diagnostic equipment in the maintenance
services of automobiles and its impact on the wayside garage in Accra Metropolis. The
specific objectives of the study were to: find out the knowledge level of the wayside
mechanics on diagnostic equipment, ascertain the reasons car owners send their cars to
wayside garages, assess the challenges faced by wayside mechanics in the advent of
automobile technology, and determine the effect of diagnostic equipment on the
maintenance services of wayside garages in Accra Metropolis. Survey research design
was used for this study. Purposive sampling technique was employed to select 186
owners of roadside garage in Accra Metropolis. Questionnaire was used as data
collection instrument. The study found that wayside garages do not have adequate
diagnostic tools and equipment, and not experienced on the use of diagnostic tools and
equipment. The study further indicated that car owners send their cars to wayside garages
because of low workmanship charges, good service and can negotiate the service
charge.The study revealed that lack of required equipment (OBD scan tool), complexity
in the usage of diagnostic scan tools, and lack of proper upgrading are the major
challenges faced by wayside mechanics in the advent of automobile technology. Based
on this, it was concluded that diagnostic equipment affects customers patronage of
services provided by wayside garages, survival of the business and the quality of repairs
of wayside garages in Accra Metropolis. It was recommended that wayside mechanics
should be given every opportunity to undergo a series of training to upgrade their
technical knowledge in the use of the On-Board-Diagnostics tool (OBD)
Description:
A Dissertation in the Department of MECHANICAL AND AUTOMOTIVE
TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION, Faculty of TECHNICAL EDUCATION, submitted to
the School of Graduate Studies, University of Education, Winneba in partial fulfilment of
the requirements for award of the Master of Technology (Mechanical Technology)
degree.
