Surging demand for mobile servicing saw Mobile Service Clinics run by Volkswagen Van Centres visit almost 10,000 vans in 2018.
The service – now run by around 21 Volkswagen Van Centres – saved UK businesses an estimated £1.1m last year. According to VW figures, time off the road costs businesses up to £500 per day, with the Mobile Service Clinics able to significantly reduce or eliminate these costs.
Research by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has also found that almost three-quarters of van drivers (71%) find the offer of a mobile servicing unit attractive as it saves time and money with businesses in Greater London most likely to make use of the facility, due in no small part to the additional time taken to drive in the capital.
Under the service, Van Centres are able to dispatch a specially converted Volkswagen Crafter, kitted out with an array of on-board tools including compressed air jacks and even a hand wash basin, to the home, workplace or fleet base. Technicians operating the Mobile Service Clinics are able to carry out service work, inspections, A/C servicing, MOT repairs, minor warranty work and software updates remotely, while the vehicles are not being used.
VW’s Working With You promise also sees Van Centres offer extended opening hours to further ensure fleets can be serviced when they’re not working.
David Hanna, head of service and parts at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: “Our message is clear – we’ll work when you’re not – to minimise downtime and reduce associated costs, which is consistently one of the biggest issues for our customers.
“We’re committed to working as a trusted partner alongside our customers to deliver an aftersales service that suits their needs in the short and long term. Innovative solutions like our Mobile Service Clinics help deliver on our Working With You promise and it’s clear from these figures what a useful option it is for our owners and fleets.”
