Opinions Needed Not OSF

[Savvi]

I'm thinking of expanding my business ..............

 

I qualified as a mechanic some 20 years ago ,was an Rac patrol for 14 years now do Auto electrics and after market items alarms, trackers, phone kits etc etc. just purchase diagnostics equipment for fault codes airbags etc.

 

Im thinking of offering a "Mobile safety check" this would include checking tyre depth and pressure, engine oil, coolants, lights, wipers and a general look around for anything that may be dangerous and doing a diagnostic scan for any faults stored.

 

 

What i'd like to know .................

 

1. Do you think it's a good idea

2. Would it be something you would consider, if you knew nothing about cars.

3. What price would you pay

4. Anything i may have missed !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

Please discuss

[mk1super]

Cracking idea mate, i know i'd go to yourself if i was closer

[BIGKEV]

1. Yes i think it's a good idea

2. Yes It Would be something I would consider, if I knew nothing about cars.

3. What price would you pay? -depends on how long would an average checkup would take.

 

4. Anything i may have missed - what would you call the business?

[Savvi]

Good answers so far ........

 

I think it would be less than an hour to do all the checks could even get it down to 1/2 hour on the car plus travel and meet n greet !!!

 

 

I would still keep the same name as i already trade under ......... Savvi as i'm Vat registered, and fully insured, known etc i also have some space on the van for extra sign writting !!!

 

I just want to expand what i already have and think this will run alongside what i already do ?

[2.8i Cossie]

yeah i think its a good idea as a lot of women (and men) just drive their car till it shits itself then gets it looked at!

 

The option of a mobile and flexible mechanic to your door would be greaT!

[mk2 escy ron]

i would say it a good idea savvi and yes it is something i would consider.

 

 

if ya already have the space on the van for sign writing, good start!

 

and if ya have the space for the equipment on the van then ya aint got fookall to lose. i would go for it especially if ya have a good clientell at the mo as any extra ya make is only a good thing.

 

NOW as for price i think it would depend more on your circumstance ie. how far away they are and exactly what they want. i once had a rover with the 'check engine' light on and the dealers wanted £60 to plug onto diagnostic and told me it would take all of half hour so i told them to fook off and got me mate from the aa to look thru his book.....sorted no £20

 

 

but if dealer had said in the first place say...£40 but they came to me i would have been chuffed

 

sorry i am rambling aren't i

[Savvi]

I currently charge £45 plus vat for a call out and spend up to an hour on the vehicle.

 

The diagnostics i have will read and write on some cars today for instance i had a Bmw with a rear parking sensor fault the equipment pointed me to the rear right sensor being faulty, i've also had a jeep with a crankshaft sensor gone down, but i'm thinking more of the oil and water checks as i know from experience people do not check it most don't even know how to open the bonnet !!

 

I was thinking i could offer a discount for fleet / company drivers if i did a few together ?

 

 

Thinking i could put put AUTOCHECK & DIAGNOSTICS along the side of the van above the Oxfordshire mobile installations ?

Then think of something for the 2 rear windows as i've never put anything there as yet ?

[Savvi]

Any photoshop gods fancy trying to see how the van will look ?

 

 

AUTOCHECK & DIAGNOSTICS above the Oxfordshire mobile installations ?

 

[mk2 escy ron]

not the best mate cos the pics are quite small for p/shop

 

[stevepeanut]

I think its a good idea. My girlfriends mother has been driving over 20 years, and 2 weeks ago she rang here and said "my tyre looks like its low, how do I put air in it?"

 

Thats true I aint taking the piss, her husband normally does it but he was out. So theres deffo a market for it, some people just aint got a clue

 

Only downside is the credit crunch, people are looking to save money wherever possible, so this might be the last thing on some peoples mind.

[Messenjah]

i would think youd be better off putting safety checks m8 as people will look at it and think whats an auto check ... just a thought

[Savvi]

i would think youd be better off putting safety checks m8 as people will look at it and think whats an auto check ... just a thought

 

 

Good points, as for the credit crunch most of the jobs i'm doing in the present climate are people wanting their older cars repaired, they can't afford to buy new ones, thought this might be peace of mind for them as i would be cheaper than a garage etc ? In fleet company cars side they get charged for taking back a tatty car and i may stop them from getting fined for driving illegal cars ......... tyres, light etc ?

 

i thought of Auto because i don't seem to have Cars or vehicles in my original sign writing as i never finished it hence the spaces !!

 

 

Perhaps something like VEHICLE (or CAR) SAFETY CHECKS & DIAGNOSTICS might be better ?

 

Thanks for all the input this is something i have thought about for a while but wasn't sure how it would go down

[capriz]

Yes defo a good idea mate being a qualified mechanic as well i do jobs on the side as there are alot of people out there that wouldnt even no how to check tyres or oil level went out to someone a few weeks ago as they thought there tyres were low so went to check them they were totally bold so had to replace there tyres and sort out the tracking as the wear indicated the car was towing out so yes there is a market out there for people such as yourself good luck if you decide to go ahead.

[Savvi]

i'm going to give it a try.

 

I'll need to make some flyers and decide for sure what to put on the van, the sign writer wants me to look at his car so that's paid for

 

Not sure if i'll fit on the safety check thing on the side and also have to think up something for the rear door glass ................

 

Any ideas welcome

 

I think people will try it for the right price also i have workshop facilities so i may pick up some other work through it.

[Savvi]

Could some one do a photoshop of

 

Vehicle Safety Checks & Diagnostics

 

so i can see what it lloks like ................. please still not sure what to put ?

[Pipster007]

I just recently bought a 2nd hand car and sent it to http://www.autops.co.uk to give it a once over and they charged £55 + VAT for an hour, if thats of any help in giving you an idea of what to charge