From enquiry to handing back the keys to the customer, the team at Shaikly Motor Company utilise ALLDATA Repair for each part of the diagnostic and repair process.
Shaikly Motor Company is an award-winning independent workshop, based in Colchester. The family-run workshop has been serving loyal customers since 1977 and now, nearly half a century later, Michael Shaikly – son of the founder – is carrying it on as one of the most respected workshops in the country.
Michael is responsible for 14 skilled technicians, from inquisitive and enthusiastic technicians beginning their careers to experienced master techs. But one thing they all have in common is that they all regularly turn to ALLDATA Repair and its OEM repair data in their daily tasks – from preparation to handing the keys back to the customer.
ALLDATA Repair provides instant access to instructions from 44 vehicle manufacturers, comprising more than 100 million articles and over nine million technical drawings and wiring diagrams with electrical connector views. That is procedures for more than 165,000 make, model, year and powertrain combinations – or, to put it rather more simply, 97 per cent of vehicles on the road today.
Integrated vehicles
Modern cars are complex networks of sensors, control units and software; for example, adaptive cruise control systems integrate radar sensors, cameras and onboard software to automatically adjust speed and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles.
Consequently, before a technician even attempts a repair, they need to know what that repair looks like.
At Shaikly Motor Company, the team recently received a Land Rover that had been brought back from France. Based on the information provided by the customer, the vehicle was a non-starter and had been assessed by both an independent workshop and franchised dealer – but no solution had been found.
The initial suspicion was that the vehicle had suffered a fuel pump failure, but without investigating and authorisation of the customer to conduct a Stage One Diagnostic Assessment, it would be incredibly difficult to offer an accurate diagnosis.
As Michael put it: “Because the injectors were difficult to access, accurately diagnosing a three-phase fuel pump system was nigh-on impossible. We needed a solution that would save time and give an accurate diagnosis. Possessing evidence would earn the customer’s trust and, in all likelihood, ensure we were permitted to carry out the repair.”
Data from the start
The way Michael and his team use ALLDATA Repair has changed during the last 15 years. What began as a single computer is now a fully integrated process across the entire workshop – every technician now has their own laptop, and crucially, ALLDATA Repair is used before a vehicle is even touched.
This preparation begins with the frontof- house staff. When a customer books a job in, service advisors itemise the reported fault and use ALLDATA Repair to set realistic expectations. This ensures that diagnostic assessments and repair times are communicated transparently and that the customer fully understands the process before authorising work.
Accurate labour times are a vital benefit. Published job times can be misleading, but with ALLDATA Repair, Shaikly Motor Company can confidently quote times and costs that reflect the true scope of the work. This prevents disputes, avoids wasted time and ensures customers trust the pricing.
Returning to the Land Rover case, Shaikly Motor Company deployed its structured Stage One Diagnostic Assessment, which includes:
- A full diagnostic scan of the vehicle
- Analysis of fault codes and live data
- Review of relevant OEM Technical Service Bulletins
- Road test, where appropriate Shaikly Motor Company reported a 50 per cent success rate in obtaining authorisation for the assessment, which costs £120.
Using ALLDATA Repair’s wiring diagrams, the team traced the circuit and quickly identified a suitable test area and plan. This process ruled out a pump failure without the need to dismantle components to access the fuel pump. Instead, the technicians were able to pinpoint the fault to the fuel pump control unit – a far quicker and easier repair.
The front-of-house team explained the plan; the customer authorised the process, and the technicians completed an accurate and efficient repair.
The Land Rover was diagnosed and fixed within days, compared to six months of confusion abroad. This result was achieved because of the communication and trust established – because Shaikly Motor Company could rely on ALLDATA Repair’s OEM repair data and labour times. Having those tools at Shaikly Motor
Company’s disposal means:
- Fewer misdiagnosis: Structured planning, meaning the team – apprentice or master technician – looks at the whole picture before committing to a diagnosis.
- Faster turnaround: Potentially, repairs are completed quicker because unnecessary disassembly is avoided.
- Accurate labour times: Quotes are based on OEM times and processes, establishing trust.
- Team development: Every member of staff is trained how to use ALLDATA Repair – it is part of the curriculum – making it a core part of the workshop’s culture.
- Profitability and professionalism: The combination of accuracy, transparency and efficiency translates into stronger customer satisfaction and the likelihood of repeat business – meaning a healthier bottom line.
The difference is in the detail For Shaikly Motor Company, ALLDATA Repair has been integrated its entire repair process – from enquiry to handover of the keys. By being able to illustrate repairs and labour times on a quote, Michael and his team are in a stronger position to deliver a better customer service.
Michael summarised: “The power of ALLDATA Repair is allowing us to prepare for the job. If a particular window regulator needs attention, which we’ve never seen before, I encourage our technicians to look up and follow the process.
“Our front-of-house team will itemise the concern that the customer has and outlines the cost of that investigation, using information sourced directly from ALLDATA Repair. This means customers know exactly what we are testing, how we are testing it, and what it’s likely to cost – which builds confidence and trust before we even pick up a tool.”
