Portsmouth company sets up a new way to get your car service for less money

Secret Service has been set up by the team behind the website BookMyGarage.com, which is based at Lakeside, North Harbour.  

Andy Mellers, head of franchised garages at BookMyGarage, said: '˜In a nutshell, customers don't realise that franchised dealers follow strict manufacturer schedules but via Secret Service they are able to offer a like for like comparison with independent garages and more often than not at a huge saving against the dealership price. 

'˜So, you can have your car looked after by manufacturer-trained technicians, receive an unparalleled level of customer service at all times and pay only when the work is complete, not upfront.' 

Andy said the idea is based on the same concept employed by the hotel industry, which uses descriptions like '˜secret escapes' to fill empty rooms and attract new customers. The name of the hotel is deliberately hidden until after the purchase has been completed, but the price is much lower than usual.

With Secret Service, car dealerships fill excess space in their workshops and appeal to motorists who, for a variety of reasons, wouldn't normally consider them.

Andy said: '˜Many motorists don't realise dealerships do car servicing and maintenance. All they see is the gleaming façade of the sales showroom and are oblivious to the technicians squirreling away in the workshop behind it.  And probably because of the shiny floors and stylish furniture, they also consider dealerships to be expensive.

'˜They also seem to believe that dealerships only perform work on cars that they have sold, or are those of a certain brand, which is not true in most cases.  Plus, they don't think they perform MOT tests because they also assume they never work on cars that are more than three years old. In fact, they all do.' 

For more go to bookmygarage.com.