Analysing job cards is an essential research tool for our reports on the market for servicing and repairs. It is the simplest way of deriving the average values of jobs and revealing the strengths and weaknesses of the two principal market suppliers - franchised and independent. The method, albeit arduous and boring, is relatively straightforward and it's the kind of research any franchised workshop or independent garage can do for themselves.

There are two approaches: either an uncomplicated 'job count' or a full analysis including average job values. To paraphrase the instructions for computer software, the former is 'recommended' and the latter is for 'advanced users'.

For a 'job count', you just need to list common jobs in a table. These could include, for example, routine servicing, tyres, MOT testing, brakes, exhausts, engine/electronics, battery/electrical, suspension/steering, gearbox/clutch, cooling ….. 'other' (to cover everything else not specifically identified). As we are usually only concerned with the retail market for servicing, maintenance and repairs, we don't include internal or warranty work but you might like to add these as broad categories.

Next you select at least 100 job cards from a week or two during a reasonably busy period like September or October. If, for instance, the first job card off the top shows a routine service, two tyres replaced and front brake pads, then you place one tick against each of these categories. Then you just carry on through the rest of the job cards in a similar fashion. Finally add up the total number of entries in each category and overall to arrive at what percentage each is of the total.

In an analysis we completed recently on a franchised workshop, the dealer returned 1.7 operations per job card or 170 separate operations for 100 job cards. Of these 170 operations, 69 were routine services, 24 brakes, 19 MOTs, 16 engine/electrical, 7 tyre replacements and 3 suspension/steering. On the other hand a recent check on an independent revealed 1.3 operations per job card with 47 MOTs in 100 jobs cards, 29 routine services, 12 tyre replacements, 10 brakes and 7 suspension/steering.

These results are fairly typical and not unexpected. The franchised workshop is a routine service specialist with 70% of job cards led by a service. The independent garage carried out many more MOT tests than the dealer, more 'repairs' and does reasonably well from servicing too.

Interestingly, the franchised dealer concerned has a comprehensive DMS computer (dealer management system), but only markets its MOT facility infrequently. The independent has no computer at all however the owner runs a simple MOT reminder system. This consists of a filing box divided into 24 months (because MOTs can be for 13 months). He makes out MOT reminders when customers collect their cars and places them in the divider 12 months hence. When the time arrives he sticks stamps on that month's MOT reminders and puts them in the post. Remarkably simple but obviously very effective!

Written by Trend Tracker director Chris Oakham, this piece first appeared his column in the subscription monthly Auto Retail Bulletin in January 2010. (See www.auto-retail.com for subscription details.)

Chris Oakham

Trend Tracker Limited

0870 421 4350

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