Is there a demand for mobile Mercedes servicing?

[Pontoneer]

The tricky part is that in order to get the parts directly from MB with trade discount, you'll need to be VAT Registered which will increase the cost of your services to your customers.......

But, of course, you can buy the parts from MB dealership online as retail at a reasonable price.

(BTW, MB prohibits non-franchised garages who buy parts directly from them, from selling-on the boxed parts - I.e. the parts can only be sold if fitted to the customer's car by the garage and labour is charged in addition to the price of the part)

Numerous dealers in the UK have eBay shops where they sell a multitude of parts at quite attractive prices ; the situation is much better in Germany , and also don't overlook places like Poland , Lithuania and Latvia where so many genuine parts can be obtained at very reasonable prices .

Having access to EPC and WIS can be invaluable , and for newer cars the iCarsoft will not only interrogate the car for faults but will also list up the M-B part numbers for whatever is required - not much use for may of my cars though since they predate OBD and I have to use the manual to interpret blink codes , which only really started in the seventies .

 

[Bellow]

Also , if you are going to peoples' homes , they won't want any mess ; get a Pela oil extraction tool which will recover used oil without any spillages on their drive ( Machine Mart sell them ) , I've used mine for years and never spilt a drop ; still put a sheet on the ground first , but never needed it .

Oil extraction from above requires thorough warming of the engine in advance - the logistics could be awkward.
Draining by plug can be done cold (providing the engine was at full temp when parked up).

 

[martyz]

A nice idea but a non starter.
You cant just buy Star and have the technical experience to interpret the data
Current VAT threshold for registration is £90K P.A
working in unfavourable conditions (or not allowed) eg public highway.
If I was interested in a home service I would want the guy that came to be a time served technician.
not able to update electronic MB service history.

 

[Pontoneer]

Oil extraction from above requires thorough warming of the engine in advance - the logistics could be awkward.
Draining by plug can be done cold (providing the engine was at full temp when parked up).

I always warmed my engine thoroughly even when draining from the sump ; shouldn't be too difficult to get the car up to temp before changing the oil - just get the customer to take it for a 15 minute drive before you start , or tell them to drive for 3 or 4 miles then return - that would do it .

Trying to drain oil from a sump on a driveway , not up on a ramp , would be a challenge with the limited access to get a drainer can under some newer cars with very limited ground clearance , and the car wants to be on the level when draining , not lifted at one end or one corner .

 

[ALFAitalia]

You should never change cold oil... no matter from which end....unless you plan to leave it draining overnight.... which i have done. If i haven't driven the car or don't have time too, just leave it ticking over whilst you do the other checks or the brakes or whatever. Even 5 minutes will get it warm enough....certainly better than a cold drain.

Bot.... I obviously have no idea of the OPs skill levels.... but as he mentions that it's a hobby at the moment I'm guessing that he has no mechanics qualifications?.... so no diploma or Btec....or apprenticeship. Two things spring to mind...firstly I would not want to have an unqualified person working on my car if i was paying.... secondly i think he could find it very difficult to get liability/indemnity insurance cover without having at least some sort of qualifications.

 

[Petrol Pete]

Oil extraction from above requires thorough warming of the engine in advance - the logistics could be awkward.
Draining by plug can be done cold (providing the engine was at full temp when parked up).

...and not much use on cars with saddle sump engines.

 

[Petrol Pete]

OP . Do you have a suitable van and ALL the required tools ? If so , that's a good start.

Many have commented of the hurdles you face and I agree with most of them .

I think part of the problem might be spares/consumables, you say you want to concentrate on Mercedes Benz . Thats fine you will only have to stock 4 or 5 different types of oil , perhaps 6 or 7 different oil filters , numerous air filters , the list goes on .

Not sure if you have loads of reliable retailers in your area where you just jump in your van and go get stuff you need at short notice. ?

The 'mobile mechanic' must be working for some , but I must say the few we used to have around our way seem to have disappeared.

Mobile car valeting ? Now there is money for old rope if you can find a handful of wealthy enough punters....

 

[Bellow]

I always warmed my engine thoroughly even when draining from the sump ; shouldn't be too difficult to get the car up to temp before changing the oil - just get the customer to take it for a 15 minute drive before you start , or tell them to drive for 3 or 4 miles then return - that would do it .

Yep customer, no, no telling a customer what to do.
Now, arrange the logistics for that - and don't forget to leave space for the van.

 

[alabbasi]

From a business perspective you have to ask yourself if it's worth it to you and your customers.

1. Will you make more money if you don't pay rent?
2. Will you make more money if you let the customers come to you and can work on more than one car at a time (while you wait for parts).
3. How will you compete if If you spend half a day driving from one location to another, will you absorb the driving costs or pass on to the customer?
4. Will you be sure that you can get the job done in one day?

As a retirement side gig to keep you out of your wife's hair - sure,
If you're trying to establish a customer base before setting up premises - sure
Otherwise I don't see it as a profitable or sustainable business model.

 

[Bellow]

only looking to do this part time as have a full time job.

What hours can you make available for this venture and are they acceptable/desirable to customers?

 

[milan11]

Thanks all for your feedback really appreciate the comments.

 

[HappytalkAgain]

…..Current VAT threshold for registration is £90K P.A……

That’s the figure at which you’re compelled (by law) to register for VAT. You can become VAT registered voluntarily at any point up to that.

 

[Gollom]

That’s the figure at which you’re compelled (by law) to register for VAT. You can become VAT registered voluntarily at any point up to that.

Often wondered how this stuff works. If a business is well below the registration limit, how can they charge me VAT? Is that just extra into their coffers?

 

[Bellow]

Often wondered how this stuff works. If a business is well below the registration limit, how can they charge me VAT? Is that just extra into their coffers?

Voluntary VAT registration - which is what it is - allows for reclaiming VAT on purchases. This is more appropriate to a trader (who can reclaim the VAT on goods rather than pass it to the customer in the purchase price to them). Once VAT registered, VAT must be included on all invoices - and that collected VAT passed to HMRC.
For a business that primarily sells labour (with little material cost - eg, window cleaner) then avoiding VAT registration reduces the cost to their customers (but any VAT on materials has to be absorbed or passed on). It makes no difference for VAT registered customers as they reclaim the VAT charged.
The ratio of labour costs to material costs and, whether the final customer is VAT registered (thus able to reclaim charged VAT) are the drivers in choosing to register or not if not mandated to via the threshold.

 

[Gollom]

Voluntary VAT registration - which is what it is - allows for reclaiming VAT on purchases. This is more appropriate to a trader (who can reclaim the VAT on goods rather than pass it to the customer in the purchase price to them). Once VAT registered, VAT must be included on all invoices - and that collected VAT passed to HMRC.
For a business that primarily sells labour (with little material cost - eg, window cleaner) then avoiding VAT registration reduces the cost to their customers (but any VAT on materials has to be absorbed or passed on). It makes no difference for VAT registered customers as they reclaim the VAT charged.
The ratio of labour costs to material costs and, whether the final customer is VAT registered (thus able to reclaim charged VAT) are the drivers in choosing to register or not if not mandated to via the threshold.

Thanks

Hmmm - so a local trader who is not registered for VAT but on my invoice adds VAT is really just getting 20% more from me

 

[Bellow]

Thanks

Hmmm - so a local trader who is not registered for VAT but on my invoice adds VAT is really just getting 20% more from me

If they are not VAT registered, then yes.
Check the validity of the VAT # here >> Check a UK VAT number

 

[Gollom]

If they are not VAT registered, then yes.
Check the validity of the VAT # here >> Check a UK VAT number

Interesting. Always a scam somewhere!

 

[HappytalkAgain]

Thanks

Hmmm - so a local trader who is not registered for VAT but on my invoice adds VAT is really just getting 20% more from me

Yes. And if caught. It’s Jail time.

 

[HappytalkAgain]

Interesting. Always a scam somewhere!

Some more on this.

If an invoice lists VAT but has no VAT registration number then it’s illegal.

Either refuse to pay or demand their VAT number and check it out.

 

[Bellow]

Some more on this.

If an invoice lists VAT but has no VAT registration number then it’s illegal.

Either refuse to pay or demand their VAT number and check it out.

I was asked a couple of weeks back to resubmit an invoice to include my VAT number.... Reason given though was that customer couldn't reclaim the VAT without it. That would be the legalese of it I suppose. Doesn't stop all the others...