GARAGES are taking a hit on profits as well as customer safety says dealer management experts Pinewood.

This week’s Which? survey into car garages has indicated some low safety standards at garages, says Pinewood.

However, this is directly leading to missed profit opportunities too!

Any garage undertaking a good vehicle health check would have found these problems – and taken the opportunity to let the customer commission replier work for them.

That they’re not, said MD Neville Briggs, ‘indicates that some garages can’t be trusted to spot basic safety issues such as underinflated spare tyres and blown bulbs.

‘It also points out that even in a very tough economic climate, some garages are not identifying simple, essential repairs that add directly to the bottom line.’

Good vehicle health checks, he explained, create a structured process for technicians to follow on every vehicle. They ensure such basic faults are not missed.

By checking them, the customer is offered the chance to have them fixed if they wish – which also helps improve trust between customer and garage.

And it makes money to boot. Pinewood’s health check comes as part of its DMS. ‘Reports from dealer groups indicate that the additional profits generated by using the Pinnacle VHC are, in effect, paying for or exceeding the entire monthly charge that we make for using the DMS.

‘They can be an extremely productive tool if used in a structured and disciplined way.’

Interesting point: could the Which? survey actually be a chance for smart garages to increase uptake of repair work from customers, by following more regimented systems? We are keen to hear your views…

Tags: aftersales, garage, profit, which

This entry was last updated on Friday, August 27th, 2010 at 9:46 am and is filed under News.