Mobile mechanics?
Discussion
Hi there
Long story short I am considering branching out and becoming a 'mobile mechanic'. I've got a few years experience as a techie for a main dealer, but running my own business has always been my dream and this seems like a great way of getting started before I look into the logistics of renting a unit and doing it 'properly'.
I'm just interested in finding out just how many have/would use such a service, what they would be willing to pay per hour, what sort of work you'd most want someone else, what sort of thing would catch your eye when using such a service, etc.
If there are any people who do it on here I'd love to get some advice.
I know I am shamelessly fishing for business advice, but come on and help a guy out
.
Thanks
Long story short I am considering branching out and becoming a 'mobile mechanic'. I've got a few years experience as a techie for a main dealer, but running my own business has always been my dream and this seems like a great way of getting started before I look into the logistics of renting a unit and doing it 'properly'.
I'm just interested in finding out just how many have/would use such a service, what they would be willing to pay per hour, what sort of work you'd most want someone else, what sort of thing would catch your eye when using such a service, etc.
If there are any people who do it on here I'd love to get some advice.
I know I am shamelessly fishing for business advice, but come on and help a guy out
.Thanks
Hi
I have never used such a service, but would be tempted if someone recommended the technician to me. I always select garages based upon recommendations - really worth its weight in gold.
Can you start with friends and family and grow the business by word of mouth that way? Can you specialise in a couple of areas (airbag lights might be a good one for the future!), electrics, certain marques? But still leave it open to other makes, basic servicing etc.?
Where do your skills lie at the moment - can you expand along those lines?
Mike
I have never used such a service, but would be tempted if someone recommended the technician to me. I always select garages based upon recommendations - really worth its weight in gold.
Can you start with friends and family and grow the business by word of mouth that way? Can you specialise in a couple of areas (airbag lights might be a good one for the future!), electrics, certain marques? But still leave it open to other makes, basic servicing etc.?
Where do your skills lie at the moment - can you expand along those lines?
Mike
I had suspension component fail on my passat , on a Sunday . I had a copy of my local free paper, looked through it and found a couple of numbers. Rang them all and one chap rang me back. He came round the same day , diagnosed the problem. He would order the part , collect it and fit it the following morning . I forget what he charged but I think it was very reasonable and I gave him a tip.
The service he provided saved me a lot of trouble and inconvenience . Price was not an issue , I have recommended him a few times and he has been consistently reliable.
The service he provided saved me a lot of trouble and inconvenience . Price was not an issue , I have recommended him a few times and he has been consistently reliable.
Last winter our SJ410 started spluttering, then started juddering, then cut out.
A mobile mechanic known to my dad drove 10 miles through the snow to us. He diagnosed the problem then drove to go and get the required part, came back and fitted it, then asked for £30 for his trouble.
We gave him double and have used him for anything we've needed since.
Same chap dropped a gearbox out of my dads mates Trooper at the side of the road, fixed whatever ailed it and refitted. £60.
A mobile mechanic known to my dad drove 10 miles through the snow to us. He diagnosed the problem then drove to go and get the required part, came back and fitted it, then asked for £30 for his trouble.
We gave him double and have used him for anything we've needed since.
Same chap dropped a gearbox out of my dads mates Trooper at the side of the road, fixed whatever ailed it and refitted. £60.
For a short time my company used a mobile mechanic to service its fleet. Really nice personal service, much less hassle for the driver.
The key would be to pitch your prices much lower than dealers, and the work will flow in. I'd love to have a trusted and cheap mechanic local to me, but recently everything I've had done on cars has been f
ked up in some way, and very expensive. When you complain they look at you like you are mad.
The key would be to pitch your prices much lower than dealers, and the work will flow in. I'd love to have a trusted and cheap mechanic local to me, but recently everything I've had done on cars has been f
ked up in some way, and very expensive. When you complain they look at you like you are mad.If you haven't already, i'd definitely say have a look at Motor trade vehicle insurance. Will probably be much more convenient for you and your prospective customers. Take the car away to somewhere with some more room, possibly even indoor (You may have a mate that will let you use some of his space for x amount a week/month?? Worth looking into) A good mechanic, be it mobile, or a local indy with his own premises is a god send. So whatever you do, if the customers are happy they'll keep coming back and recommending others. Good luck chap!
Nyphur said:
Last winter our SJ410 started spluttering, then started juddering, then cut out.
A mobile mechanic known to my dad drove 10 miles through the snow to us. He diagnosed the problem then drove to go and get the required part, came back and fitted it, then asked for £30 for his trouble.
We gave him double and have used him for anything we've needed since.
Same chap dropped a gearbox out of my dads mates Trooper at the side of the road, fixed whatever ailed it and refitted. £60.
I was going to say 'wow, look after him' but at those prices for that service I'd be tempted to adopt him A mobile mechanic known to my dad drove 10 miles through the snow to us. He diagnosed the problem then drove to go and get the required part, came back and fitted it, then asked for £30 for his trouble.
We gave him double and have used him for anything we've needed since.
Same chap dropped a gearbox out of my dads mates Trooper at the side of the road, fixed whatever ailed it and refitted. £60.
I have been one since Jan 2010, in the summer it’s the best job in the world, from now until march, it sucks!
The above poster is right, we can charge a lot less then garages, but one thing you have to take into account is life without a ramp, some jobs are twice as hard without a ramp, and when your F’ing and Blinding and the customer keeps peeping out of the windows to check your ‘progress’ it can be a tad annoying lol
Another thing you need to consider is your van size, I started off with a Berlingo, with I just about survived with, but then I upgraded (in size at least) to a Boxer (I also added tyre equipment).
In terms of getting customers, building a good reputation is key. I have customers who see me more as a friend, and will call me for anything and recommend me to everyone. Then you get the people who want something for nothing.
Labour wise, i am charging £25 per hour, when you take in to account all the insurance, tools, advertising, van and most importantly diesel (about 50p per mile) the £25 aint as great as it seems!
All things considered i love my job and wouldn't change it for anything.
Any more questions fire them my way 
Andy
The above poster is right, we can charge a lot less then garages, but one thing you have to take into account is life without a ramp, some jobs are twice as hard without a ramp, and when your F’ing and Blinding and the customer keeps peeping out of the windows to check your ‘progress’ it can be a tad annoying lol
Another thing you need to consider is your van size, I started off with a Berlingo, with I just about survived with, but then I upgraded (in size at least) to a Boxer (I also added tyre equipment).
In terms of getting customers, building a good reputation is key. I have customers who see me more as a friend, and will call me for anything and recommend me to everyone. Then you get the people who want something for nothing.
Labour wise, i am charging £25 per hour, when you take in to account all the insurance, tools, advertising, van and most importantly diesel (about 50p per mile) the £25 aint as great as it seems!
All things considered i love my job and wouldn't change it for anything.
Any more questions fire them my way 
Andy
Mobile mechanics advantages are convenience so being available some weekends/evenings will be very handy for some working people. Also I think some people don't like to see their car disappear to a workshop, it's their pride and joy or they are paranoid etc or they are a diy'er but the specific job is outside of their comfort zone so they may be keen to observe to a degree.
Re what we are willing to pay then from my perspectve i'd like to receive an all inclusive price up front. Obviously not on diagnositic type work but the routine stuff I think you should provide an up front fixed quote. Obviously there is an inheritant risk for you with shearing rusty bolts etc.
Something like a free look/quote within a certain radius might help, not necessarily advertising this as such, but having it in mind and offering it to new callers where you think they may need that sort of thing and/or if you aren't particularly busy.
Give some honest feedback to the owners of any cars you work on, ie look for future work but don't force the issue just mention it or physically point it out.
bit a ramble but things that just popped into my head........
Re what we are willing to pay then from my perspectve i'd like to receive an all inclusive price up front. Obviously not on diagnositic type work but the routine stuff I think you should provide an up front fixed quote. Obviously there is an inheritant risk for you with shearing rusty bolts etc.
Something like a free look/quote within a certain radius might help, not necessarily advertising this as such, but having it in mind and offering it to new callers where you think they may need that sort of thing and/or if you aren't particularly busy.
Give some honest feedback to the owners of any cars you work on, ie look for future work but don't force the issue just mention it or physically point it out.
bit a ramble but things that just popped into my head........
Scootersp said:
Give some honest feedback to the owners of any cars you work on, ie look for future work but don't force the issue just mention it or physically point it out.
This is good advice. Same guy I described above pointed out a few bits and bobs on our SJ410 last time he was under there (as suggested a few posts up, we are keen DIY'ers, but some jobs are above our skill level). He didn't force the issue, just said "give me a call in the spring if you want them sorting... when its warmer!" mike9009 said:
Hi
I have never used such a service, but would be tempted if someone recommended the technician to me. I always select garages based upon recommendations - really worth its weight in gold.
Can you start with friends and family and grow the business by word of mouth that way? Can you specialise in a couple of areas (airbag lights might be a good one for the future!), electrics, certain marques? But still leave it open to other makes, basic servicing etc.?
Where do your skills lie at the moment - can you expand along those lines?
Mike
Thanks for the reply. I know it is silly, but I hadn't really thought of how much word of mouth would bring in business. I (forwhatever reason) always figured that the most of my business would could through via printed ads, but word of mouth and friends of friends certainly does make sense. The idea of resetting lights and such is a good one (May be very handy considering the new MOT laws). I've already had a word with my snap on dealer about the diagnostic machine suitable for actuator functions and warning light functions (£1700 + finance I have never used such a service, but would be tempted if someone recommended the technician to me. I always select garages based upon recommendations - really worth its weight in gold.
Can you start with friends and family and grow the business by word of mouth that way? Can you specialise in a couple of areas (airbag lights might be a good one for the future!), electrics, certain marques? But still leave it open to other makes, basic servicing etc.?
Where do your skills lie at the moment - can you expand along those lines?
Mike
) and think I would spring for one of those. Maybe even offer a diagnostic + general health check for a token sum? I'm a general all purpose tech at the moment for a high end marque which is good in the way that saying I'm an ex tech for them will sound good, but terrible in the fact that I don't have much of a chance of regularly working on the cars that I know well. I do prefer diagnostic work as oppose to "heavy" spannering, but I think the commercial applications are somewhat limited, I know my dealer gets hammered when it comes to diag work as you can't really charge the tens of hours of investigation to the customer. I can and am willing to do anything at the end of the day as it is the next major stepping stone to my dream of having my own place and I'm willing to work silly hours and spin oil filters day in, day out to make it happen
.Another thing I worry about a bit is image. Would you be put off by a shaven head bloke in his early 20s turning up in a relatively cheap (but of course presentable) estate car? I am polite, courteous, speak proper england and all that, but I know how shallow people can be.
Matt UK said:
I was going to say 'wow, look after him' but at those prices for that service I'd be tempted to adopt him
At those prices I'd be willing to hire him for my own personal spanner work! 
Edited by 279 on Sunday 13th November 22:24
Scootersp said:
Something like a free look/quote within a certain radius might help, not necessarily advertising this as such, but having it in mind and offering it to new callers where you think they may need that sort of thing and/or if you aren't particularly busy.
be careful with this, the DIYers will take the piss!I used to do a no call out in my area, I lost count of the times I went to a job, found the fault gave them a price, to simply get a cheers mate, ill do it myself........
I now have a diagnostic charge, once I found the fault you get charged a wopping £12.50, regardless of booking the work in or not. So far I haven't lost any work because of this, so don't do anything for free!
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