Would you use a Mobile Mechanic

[ChrisRob]

Hi Everyone

I have been a mechanic working for main dealerships for all my working life, I am now at a senior tech level/MOT tester and am also the electrical specialist within my dealership. I have been toying with the idea of setting up on my own for a few years now and it now seems that now is the right time for me...

So, a few questions for you if you dont mind..

- Would you use a mobile mechanic for services/repairs/diagnostics?
- What price would you expect to pay for a full servie for example?
- Would you want to pay an hourly rate or a set price for a certain job?

I've posted the very same post in the midlands section as well as thats where I live but would appreciate feedback from other areas as well!

Thanks again!

[sy534534]

I've used a mobile mechanic for all my recent servicing and general bits'n'bobs. Great service as i can watch, chat, and learn how to do some jobs i couldn't do myself. The guy I use has a set list of prices for every day jobs and an hourly rate if it's diagnostics or other stuff. HIs pricing is 20-25% cheaper that main dealer prices but not much different to local indies. I think it's worth it. Good luck

[ChrisRob]

Thanks for your reply. May I ask how your came accross your mechanic?

[hman]

whatever you do, factor in a gazebo.

You'll get very wet otherwise.

[steveo3002]

id happily use one if the rates were right

wouldnt pay near dealer money though

[5harp3y]

Have used a mobile guy for the last few years and he does all of our cars.

he is an audi master tech

he is very reasonable and cheaper than local garages so 30-40 an hour

[Horrocks]

I think its a great idea mate. Id say whats important is to build up a profile that your reliable, and that your not a rip off.

I will be honest, the stereotype of a mechanic/garage is something which will cease to change amongst the majority in my opinion so- with this in mind I would look at getting yourself a proper uniform and an actual portfolio of jobs, prices and estimates.

Most of the business will start from word of mouth I would think, so the above is imperative to hit the ground running.

I started my own business at 17 and even though it failed and I lost about £3000; I actually gained more in values and knowledge so Id say go for it. If you think about it, your never going to lose the skills you've gained over the years, so if worse comes to it and it goes tits up. Take what you've learned from the experience, stick it on your C.V and go get another job somewhere different?

[Scott330ci]

I would use a mobile mechanic.

I find it quite a bit of a pain having to drop a car off in a mornign - go find another car for the day and then pick it up again.

The only problem you may find is obviously lifting a vehicle high enough to do certain jobs.

Good luck.

[Munter]

I'd pay indy rates. Which is about £45 an hour around here it seems.

I contemplate using one often. But I can walk to the local indy in 2 minutes..

[sy534534]

ChrisRob said:

Thanks for your reply. May I ask how your came accross your mechanic?

He was recommended by a friend. The reason i initialy used him was because the car wouldn't move! I soon realised it was more like having a mate come round and work on the car as it somehow gives the power to me as it's my home and not some workshop where your not exactly welcome to watch the work.

[ChrisRob]

Thanks so much for all of your replies.

In my business plan I have made sure I have a decent budget for local marketing, stationary and uniform as that firt impression and the general impression that is given just driving between jobs is very important.

My wife has been doing some market research and calling other mobile mechanics to see what their prices are, and its generally about £80 for a full service plus parts. Most dont do weekends whereas I would, esecially in the beginning.

[KaraK]

ChrisRob said:

Hi Everyone

I have been a mechanic working for main dealerships for all my working life, I am now at a senior tech level/MOT tester and am also the electrical specialist within my dealership. I have been toying with the idea of setting up on my own for a few years now and it now seems that now is the right time for me...

So, a few questions for you if you dont mind..

- Would you use a mobile mechanic for services/repairs/diagnostics?
- What price would you expect to pay for a full servie for example?
- Would you want to pay an hourly rate or a set price for a certain job?

I've posted the very same post in the midlands section as well as thats where I live but would appreciate feedback from other areas as well!

Thanks again!

I would use one.. in fact one of the things I like about my current mechanic is that he will come to me if needed. As regards paying for work on hours vs set price I think it would be the same as for a regular garage, if it was a fixed job like a routine service I'd expect a fixed price, if it was a "fix it" job then by the hour would be fine - although I would expect not to be charged for any time incurred if the mechanic had to go back to "base" to fetch something that a fixed garage would have on hand.

[sy534534]

Weekends are where the money is. I always try to book for a weekend and always have to wait a couple of weeks for a slot, and Sundays he works 8am to 8pm!!

[Munter]

ChrisRob said:

Most dont do weekends whereas I would, esecially in the beginning.

Absolutely. Plus I suspect it's the weekends you'd get the most "So I've taken the <widget> apart and I'm stuck and I need the car on Monday. Can you help?" jobs.

[Deluded]

I used a mobile once recommended by a friend. Charged me £60 to swap out a knackered gearbox and fit a replacement that I supplied. Took him 2 and a half hours, on my driveway and saved me a job I really couldn't be arsed to do.

So yes, I would use one, but only for really awkward or PITA stuff. I would do servicing etc. myself.

Edited by Deluded on Tuesday 27th July 14:58

[Horrocks]

ChrisRob said:

Most dont do weekends whereas I would, esecially in the beginning.

Weekends is a huge one! Your majority of income will come from weekends surely as most people will be off work.

[Andehh]

Horrocks said:

I think its a great idea mate. Id say whats important is to build up a profile that your reliable, and that your not a rip off.

I will be honest, the stereotype of a mechanic/garage is something which will cease to change amongst the majority in my opinion so- with this in mind I would look at getting yourself a proper uniform and an actual portfolio of jobs, prices and estimates.

Most of the business will start from word of mouth I would think, so the above is imperative to hit the ground running.

What he said as well as...

I would use one, tbh If you go ahead with this I would be interested in your details in the next month or so. For services etc, it might be worth looking into stamps for log books as well. If i was going to get my car serviced, I would want a stamp in the log book and not some dodgy one off ebay!

[djt100]

I would, it's costs me about £50 in parts to service my car so paying someione £80 or so to come and do it for me is a no brainer... worthit just in the hastle of getting rid of the old oil / filter, getting covered in st, etc.

[PIGINAWIG]

For newer cars with an existing manufacturers warranty? Can you service these cars and will the customers car still be protected for any warranty work within this period? Just a thought. I believe that if you use original manufacturers parts, oil filter etc... this is ok?

I would definitely use a mobile mechanic - how the hell are you going to get the cars up in the air if needed?!!

Good luck with the venture if you go for it.

[Fastra]

I think the main thing is to underline your qualifications and experience with people.
Folk can be a bit wary of using someone new, so if you can allay any fears with an impressive collection of certificates then all the better for you (obviously anyone can forge these things, but even so).

But above all just be nice to people and don't treat them like idiots.

Good luck!