Hi all,

For some time now I have dabbled in diagnostics on many vehicles, learning how each one can throw up faults and for what reason (sometimes learning that it's wasn't the car, and the equipments understanding of the fault presented).

I've been given the opportunity to purchase a brand new system by Snap-on for what I believe a good price, however it's still alot of money to shell out for the odd vehicle to work on. I would very much like to grow or focus hugely on engine diagnostics as there is still a huge opportunity to delivery a specialised service, in this field and with Garages often charging £50+ to read or diagnose before any work is carried out.

I feel that I can offer a better more efficient and mobile service to those in Central Scotland, Lothians and Fife - I can rectify anything including pesky airbag faults and abs.

Would anyone find this a useful service?

Edited 8 May, 201313 yr by Gizmo68
price removed: If you wish to do this commercially then please become a sponsor.

I see the way you're thinking. I'd suggest you do some research on how much it's going to cost you to travel to the jobs though. Ignoring any cost of new refridgerant, the last time I had my aircon regassed, after he'd paid for mileage, the guy who did it might have been making £30/hour, but probably had to pay commission to the call centre he got his work through out of that.

I have removed the fee you intend to charge as to advertise your commercial services then please become a Briskoda sponsor.

I have left the thread open so you can see if there is much feedback for such diagnostics, but if it becomes an advert then it will be removed.

I feel that I can offer a better more efficient and mobile service to those in Central Scotland, Lothians and Fife - I can rectify anything including pesky airbag faults and abs.

Maybe, but there are members of this forum with VCDS who can perform all the above for free or for beer tokens at most.

Maybe, but there are members of this forum with VCDS who can perform all the above for free or for beer tokens at most.

I agree with you there, I'm not sure if an "up and coming" diagnostic person could cut it though as you sound that you would be learning by working on your customer's cars. Though getting deeply into car diagnostics appeals to me, but I'd still think that the "right" sort of person could only come from having worked in a large main dealer workshop. It is really like buying a large top grade socket set - it does not ensure that you are now a top class mechanic!

I'm not trying to get smart or be hurtful here, I'm only using what you have written to assess your width of experience to date.

Edited 8 May, 201313 yr by rum4mo

I'm a time served mechanical engineer, with engines alone being of huge interest to me, as well as working on cars for a hobby..... so my knowledge is rather wide.

I was more alone the lines finding out if domestic owners as opposed to enthusiasts would be interested, as I'm sure ever tinkerer has a fault code reader. It would just be an option to explore to help the cost of motoring come down, without being hammered at the garage.

But no, I've bought and sold cars for years either come with problems or people looking for faults diagnosed, or sadly my own. And I've had some interesting beggers so to say.

As for the "buying a large top grade socket set..." I don't fit that category, but I've certainly met a lot alone the way..... ironically during the process of repair their car

Edited 8 May, 201313 yr by MalcForrest

I was more alone the lines finding out if domestic owners as opposed to enthusiasts would be interested, as I'm sure ever tinkerer has a fault code reader.

By definition, anyone who takes the trouble of finding someone (either a VCDS owner or specialist commercial service) to read and clear fault codes is not going to be an average punter....more likely a knowledgeable DIYer or enthusiast. An average punter would take the car to a dealer/garage and be done with it.

I think you may be barking up the wrong tree canvassing VAG vehicle owners. I don't know anything about the Snap On diagnostics, but VCDS is a lot more than a fault code reader. It closely emulates the functions of VAG dealer equipment, and when you have a large database of VCDS owners on forums such as this, who are willing to do what you would be offering....virtually for free, you're always going to be up against it.

Of course you may have a lot of demand for your services from owners of other brands of cars........but I wouldn't know.

Again, I was more interested to see if non-enthusiasts would use the service, but anyway doesn't matter I think I have my answer