Hi All

I have an interested party that would like to hear your comments on this subject

As we all know there are many "Schemes" that are running at the moment, many are soft franchise driven, some you have to purchase their products and some take your money upfront then vet you 2 years later (by a third pary)

What we need is a list (check list if you like)of the minimum criteria that a garage / workshop must meet before they can legally call themselves a "Good Garage". Every garage must pass ALL of the criteria BEFORE they hand over any money or be signed up

Many of us have been running our businesses for 20 years plus, so we are in the best position to know what our customers expectations are and what we are going to have to do to survive the future in both satisfying the customers needs and keeping up with technology

I have put a few examples down below, you may agree or not agree, but please add comments

Basic criteria for a "Good Garage"

System for handling customer complaints

Keep customer informed, call customer if additional work is required

Issue service and MOT reminders

Labour rate displayed in reception, plus any other standard charges

Customer database and kept up to date

Job sheet created for every job and kept on file

Service schedule completed and handed to cusomer with invoice

At least one diagnostic scanner to be able to read codes, reset service lights, basic adaptions, live data

At least one technician having been on a days course training on that scanner (may be a refresher every 2 years on new systems added)

Every technician must attend a training course once a year (sign up to a training scheme or company that make sure you are kept up todate with changing technology)

Must have access to Technical Information eg: Autodata, Vivid (possibly also subscribe to a technical service that issues bulletins)

Estimates for jobs and make valid for 30 days

Make sure that all parts fitted are of OE quality (recognised supplier). Warranty parts and labour for 12 months

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I have listed a few, but I am sure there are many more

Peter