There are a lot of common misconceptions going around in the UK aftermarket industry about digital servicebooks. The result is that many independent workshops are giving away their customers to the OE workshops. In this article, we will address an important misconception to ensure that you retain your business and get credit for the good and important work you’re doing.
Rising digitalisation in the automotive industry
As a result of the rising the rising digitalisation over the past 10 years, car manufacturers have tried their best to keep the customers to themselves – by making it difficult for the independent workshops to access their systems. Some manufacturers have launched their own digital service records to replace the old servicebook in paper form. This means that the manufacturers own the data and that only they can access it.
Digital Servicebook launched a software platform in Denmark in 2015 to help the independent workshops in Denmark stand stronger in the face of the digital war that had already begun. Brad King, responsible for the UK market at Digital Servicebook, says:
“As a workshop today, data, and history about a car is an extremely important part in helping your customers meet factory warranties and to always drive a well-maintained car. Data this essential must of course be open and accessible to everyone! Both car owners, manufacturers, and the independent workshops.”
Misconception: Workshops must register in OE service records
Many independent workshops are under the impression that workshops must register service in the OE service records for the car owners to keep the warranty intact and get a higher value for their car when selling it back to a dealer.
Brad King adds:
“We’ve heard from workshops that say their customers only want service registered in OE portals, because that’s the real place to register.”
However, the fact is that there are no laws or requirements forcing workshops to make use of OE service records. The car must be serviced at the relevant intervals, and car owners need to be able to prove that service has been performed. On top of that they must be able to prove which parts have been replaced and which materials have been used to maintain the warranty.
Give data back to the car owners
Workshops that register in OE portals often don’t realize that the car owners don’t have any digital access to the service history. This is in sharp contrast to the past where paper service books were stamped and usually followed the car wherever it went. The drawback of this old method was that the invoice and details of the work that had been performed would often get lost.
Digital Servicebook provides a solution to all these challenges. With their open and independent online software platform it is possible to register service and ensure a full history on cars of all brands. Workshops can save time, guarantee full transparency of service, repairs, and warranties, and retain their customers.
“We are focused on filling the automotive industry with trust and transparency when it comes to the vehicle’s service data.”
Trusted by workshops across Europe
To date, more than 1.7 million services have been registered on the Digital Servicebook platform by the thousands of workshops already using it. Digital Servicebook originates from Denmark, but they have since expanded their presence to Sweden, Norway, and the United Kingdom.
