Get in the driving seat (Daily Mail franchise story)

YOUR car might well be the love of your life, so why not consider making a business out of it? There are dozens of franchises dedicated to Britain’s 30 million cars. And in almost all cases you do not need to be an experienced mechanic, because the franchisor will train you in any technical skills you need. ‘You must have an interest in cars, because your enthusiasm will sell your service, and some kind of automotive background helps,’ says Ann Blee, from Chips Away. Chips Away franchisees provide a mobile service doing small area paint repairs to vehicles at customers’ homes or workplaces, or on dealers’ forecourts.Like many, but not all, automotive Franchises, this is a mobile business, so you start by working hands-on from a van, later moving into management of a fleet of van-based technicians. Cost is from £22,500. There are several mobile valeting franchises, including Chips Away’s sister franchise Professional Car Cleaning. It is looking for franchisees with a business-minded attitude and £9,995 to invest.

But running a successful automotive franchise takes more than enthusiasm for cars and practical skills. ‘You must be dedicated to a high level of customer service,’ says Steve franchisees repair and refurbish alloy wheels, mainly on cars worth over £30,000, such as Audis, Porsches and Bentleys. It’s a van-based franchise delivering the service to individuals and dealers, who now increasingly refurbish alloy wheels on all used cars. Total investment is £50,000. You also have to be a self-starter. ‘Van-based franchises mean working alone, so you must be self-reliant, articulate, presentable and able to sell yourself,’ says Ken Rostron, who is recruiting franchisee for Autovalet Direct UK. It offers vehicle cleaning and refurbishment, including dry washing, glass treatment, antifogging treatments for interior glass and maintenance of the Jewelultra Diamondbrite paint treatment. You need from £7,000 to invest. ‘Ensure you research the automotive business,’ says Mr Rostron, ‘See what life is like for a franchisee on a day-to-day basis before deciding.’

A vehicle franchise does not need to be about working on vehicles. Snap-on Tools franchisees sell premium quality tools to mechanics. ‘You need no experience in the trade, but you have to be confident enough to go into garages and sell — it’s not for the shy,’ says Aldo Rodi, from Snap-on Tools, which is this year’s British Franchise Association franchisor of the year. It’s not just for men, either — Snap-on Tools has three female franchisees. Cost is from £10,000. Tyre-supply franchise etyres is looking for franchisees to fit tyres bought online and sell their services locally, so you need to be an entrepreneurial type who enjoys meeting people. It’s a mobile franchise and you start out hands-on but move on to manage a team of fitters. Cost is from £25,000.

But not all automotive franchises are van-based services. Most of the big names in car rental are franchises, including Budget Rent a Car, which is seeking more franchisees with management skills to open rental centres UK-wide. Investment varies — prices on application.

• Chips Away 0800 731 6914
• Professional Car Cleaning 0800 1313301
• Wicked Wheels 01787 237 136
• Autovalet Direct UK 0800 0834 683
• Snap-on Tools 01536 413 800
• etyres 0800 028 9000
• Budget Rent a Car 0134
  

LLOYD WHITE, 37, was always interested in cars. After leaving school, he joined the Mr Clutch Autocentre franchise as an apprentice mechanic. Now he has his own Mr Clutch Autocentre in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. ‘We do clutches, gearboxes and MOTs, and we are moving into electrical fault diagnostics,’ says Lloyd. He started off working from one business unit, doing all the work himself, but soon bought the unit next door and now has three technical staff. ‘Now I spend most of my time on management, dealing with customers and pricing jobs,’ he says. He advises others considering an automotive franchise: ‘Unless you share the business with a partner who knows the technical side, it pays if you have technical knowledge of vehicles. ‘My mechanical training is invaluable when customers call with problems, because I can start the diagnosis on the phone. That’s often a source of new business.’ Mr Clutch is looking for more franchisees for its Autocentres, offering repair and replacement for clutches, gearboxes, brakes, tyres, fan belts, servicing and MOTs. A mechanical background and experience of dealing with the public helps, although the £20,000-£30,000 investment does include training.