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New Member \ Mechanic #

Posted by Richard Saunders on January 6, 2014, 10:13 am
Edited by board administrator January 6, 2014, 11:30 am

Hello,

Please forgive me if I have posted this in the wrong section.

My name is Richard and I operate a mobile mechanic service in the East Sussex Area. I am 22 and have just recently started it up about 6 months ago. Business as been going rather well, not earning enough to make a living but getting there..

I did not go to college to study mechanics (hardly went to school actually) but my father is a fully qualified retired mechanic so ever since I've been playing about with cars, I've learnt off him.

About 2 years ago I also took an online course from ICS Learn for Car Maintenance and Operations and received an IMI certificate, how recognised are the IMI qualifications in the Motor Trade?

I also own a second business which is a campsite and will soon be (hopefully) building an undercover shelter there to bring cars to for the bigger jobs as the English weather is ... well lovely...

I know this is a completely pointless thread but just wanted to introduce myself

.

Also are there any places to get information like service interval times for different cars etc.?

Any tips or advice will be appreciated greatly.

Richard Saunders

Re: New Member \ Mechanic #

Posted by Richard Endean on January 6, 2014, 6:28 pm, in reply to "New Member \ Mechanic #"
Richard Endean

Hi Richard, welcome to UKAT.

I'm not sure that qualifications are your top priority. Have a look a the various posts on this forum and judge for yourself whether you think you have the knowledge, skills, and equipment to cope with modern vehicles. You might find it easiest to do the simple stuff yourself and farm out the more technical bits to someone more established.

Bear in mind that on an ever increasing number of cars you will need diagnostic equipment to fit batteries or brake pads amongst other things - as well as resetting service indicator lamps.

For technical data most of us use Autodata - essential if not perfect.

In terms of general advice, I'll offer the same as I give everyone else starting up - whatever their business:

Get a good accountant.

Make sure you have the proper insurances in place - before you need it.

Join the Federation of Small Business - excellent advice and backup.

Finally, Good Luck, I think you're gonna need it.

Dick

Re: New Member \ Mechanic #

Posted by Richard Saunders on January 6, 2014, 7:35 pm, in reply to "Re: New Member \ Mechanic #"
Richard Saunders

Thanks. I have a good accountant and have all the necessary insurances in place.

I have sent in my application for AD and have contacted Snap On with regards to their diagnostic equipment.

Re: New Member \ Mechanic #

Posted by Mark Carter on January 6, 2014, 8:46 pm, in reply to "Re: New Member \ Mechanic #"
Mark Carter

>>> and have contacted Snap On with regards to their diagnostic equipment.<<<

It all looked god until that comment !!!

Mark

Re: New Member \ Mechanic #

Posted by Richard Saunders on January 6, 2014, 8:59 pm, in reply to "Re: New Member \ Mechanic #"
Richard Saunders

Why? Who would you recommend?

Re: New Member \ Mechanic #

Posted by Mark Carter on January 6, 2014, 9:41 pm, in reply to "Re: New Member \ Mechanic #"
Mark Carter

Try all of them within your budget before you buy anything.

Mark

Re: New Member \ Mechanic #

Posted by Michael Whitworth on January 6, 2014, 9:45 pm, in reply to "Re: New Member \ Mechanic #"
Mike Whitworth - Administrator

>>>>It all looked god until that comment !!!<<<<

That's not fair Mark Snap on Diagnostics are actually pretty good. No Better and no worse than most aftermarket scantools.

Unless of course you are referring to the implication that all Richard needs is a Snap On Scanner to do Diagnostics.

We all know there is a lot more to it than that.

Don't run before you can walk Richard and get the right training.

I have Marks Number if you want it...

Mike

Re: New Member \ Mechanic #

Posted by Richard Saunders on January 6, 2014, 9:56 pm, in reply to "Re: New Member \ Mechanic #"

Thanks for the advice. I shall look into different diagnostic brands.

I understand its never easy to diagnose a problem with a car and newer cars are fitted with so many sensors that resetting them after a repair can be more hassle than the repair itself.

Im slowly hopefully getting all the tools together and learning more and more every day

Does Mark do any training then? :D

Re: New Member \ Mechanic #

Posted by Pete Mutlow on January 6, 2014, 10:31 pm, in reply to "Re: New Member \ Mechanic #"
Peter Mutlow

Hi Richard,

I gather Mark is a Bosch trainer and a top notch one at that. He like a lot of other people on this site are "fonts of knowledge" and joining UKAT is one of the best investments you have made.

I wish you the very best in your new venture and do not hesitate to post on here when you require 1st class advice.

Regards

Pete M

Re: New Member \ Mechanic #

Posted by Richard Saunders on January 6, 2014, 10:52 pm, in reply to "Re: New Member \ Mechanic #"

Thanks

. If anyone has got his number then I would appreciate it. No harm in talking to him.

Re: New Member \ Mechanic #

Posted by sean savage on January 7, 2014, 12:30 pm, in reply to "Re: New Member \ Mechanic #"
Sean Savage

For your basic scanner investment i would buy snap on solus ultra, vcds (vag com) and vauxcom for vauxhalls. that would give you a decent broad coverage until you decide what extra you will need (which will be a lot) why would anyone want to start in this trade seriously?? good luck mate

sean

Re: New Member \ Mechanic #

Posted by Mark Carter on January 13, 2014, 11:39 pm, in reply to "Re: New Member \ Mechanic #"

Before you buy any "diagnostic scan tool" think of tomorrow.

Look at the development of the tool, the after sales support of the product and it's coverage of your key vehicle brands.

Plus as Mike correctly said the diagnostic tool is only one "leg" of a three legged milking stool.

Automotive training is a must to keep up with the developments within our industry.

As is IT, a fault code is not a lot of good if you don't know how the system works and don't have a decent wiring diagram to work from.

Mark

Re: New Member \ Mechanic #

Posted by Michael Whitworth on January 14, 2014, 9:30 am, in reply to "Re: New Member \ Mechanic #"
Mike Whitworth - Administrator

Hi Mark,

>>>>the diagnostic tool is only one "leg" of a three legged milking stool<<<<

I like that analogy.

From my experience most garages are still Milking from a stool with only one leg.

Regards,

Mike

Re: New Member \ Mechanic #

Posted by Jon Morgan on January 14, 2014, 1:31 pm, in reply to "Re: New Member \ Mechanic #"
Jon Morgan

Ahh, thats why I keep falling off then!

New stool duly ordered

Re: New Member \ Mechanic #

Posted by Kevin Apps on January 14, 2014, 5:26 pm, in reply to "Re: New Member \ Mechanic #"

Richard

"Try all of them within your budget before you buy anything."

How big is your budget ?

It will need to be quite large, lot,s of garage,s out there with snappy kit/ lack of knowledge that does not cut the mustard.

Kev.

Re: New Member \ Mechanic #

Posted by Michael Whitworth on January 14, 2014, 8:14 pm, in reply to "Re: New Member \ Mechanic #"
Mike Whitworth - Administrator

Hi Jon,

Maybe you should get one with 4 legs?

Re: New Member \ Mechanic #

Posted by Mark Carter on January 14, 2014, 10:31 pm, in reply to "Re: New Member \ Mechanic #"
Mark Carter

You can buy replacement legs but watch out for clones.

The hardwood has been replaced with plastic from China.

The up side is no dry rot, but you loose support

Mark

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