How Nigerian roadside potholes damage your car
Let’s be honest, driving in Nigeria feels like a contact sport. Whether you’re dodging potholes the size of bathtubs in Lagos or navigating through waterlogged trenches in Benin, one thing is clear: our roads are out to destroy your car. But why exactly do Nigerian roads wreak so much havoc on vehicles? And more importantly, what can you do to protect your car (and your wallet)?
Today we’ll break it all down, from the silent car killers hiding beneath our tires to the smart, preventive steps that can save you thousands in repairs. If you’ve ever winced at that jarring kpa! sound after hitting a pothole, this guide is for you.
The Harsh Reality on Nigerian Roads
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Potholes everywhere! These crater-sized hazards are due to poor-quality materials, weak design, and rainfall & heavy traffic—forming and deepening fast.
- Unpaved or badly surfaced roads make up over 60% of Nigeria’s road network, turning every drive into a minefield for your car.
How Your Car Suffers
| Car Part | Damage from Bad Roads |
|---|---|
| Suspension & Shocks | Crushed struts, bent control arms, bounce like a trampoline on impact |
| Wheels & Tyres | Bent rims, bulged tyres, punctures, deep potholes strike harder than you think |
| Alignment & Steering | Wheel-check failure, pulling, uneven tire wear, unsafe handling |
| Undercarriage & Exhaust | Oil pans dented, exhaust systems damaged; even catalytic converters at risk |
Why It’s a Recurring Cycle
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Bad construction + weak drainage + heavy rains = pothole gold mine .
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Lax maintenance, and overloaded trucks speed up damage.
What You Can Do (Without Bribing Anyone)
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Drive like a Nigerian monk—slow down, avoid potholes proactively, hold the steering tight
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Maintain tire pressure—a well-inflated tyre cushions impacts.
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Regular alignment & checks—especially after crater-ball pothole encounters.
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Avoid overloaded roads—choose less-trafficked or well-maintained routes, even if longer.
When It’s Already Broken
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Hear strange clunks, your car pulls, or the ride is rough? Get it inspected ASAP.
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Ask a mechanic at RYNO’s workshop to check shocks, axles, wheel alignment, tyres, undercarriage.
Visit RYNO’s workshop today at Plot 2, CMD, Road, Magodo, Lagos for all your vehicle repairs.
How Nigerian roadside potholes damage your car
