The service disgrace”

The service disgrace”

In the last amendment to the trade regulations, a point was added that grants all traders the right to take on work from a regulated trade up to 15% of their total output. Unfortunately, many people abuse this commercial ancillary right of the gas station, the vehicle service station, very often works 100% into the regulated trade of vehicle technicians. The individual activities are precisely identified in commercial law and range from car washing, engine washing, engine oil and filter replacement to assembly and tire balancing. Replacing operating fluids, but also repairing stone chips with a dab of paint or polishing are perfectly acceptable. Even a welding machine in the company or removed brake drums and more are evidence of commercial offenses. Activities carried out by master car repair shops are under no circumstances permitted. This applies to all activities that require in-depth training. “After all,” says the Gailtal automobile technician and newly elected Carinthian automobile guild master Michael Schnabl, “motor vehicle workshops are subject to completely different work and environmental regulations than independent vehicle service stations.”

Service tug

Michael Schnabl is particularly annoyed that there are always towing services that take a damaged vehicle to a service station and not to a workshop authorized by commercial law. The argument that the towing service only fulfills customer wishes also becomes a bit shallow, as Belgian and Dutch vehicles are also included. However, any favors on the part of the towing company could be worth considering, as the company's own liability insurance would hardly cover faulty mechanics working on the customer's vehicle in the event of internal damage.

Botched company

The Chamber of Commerce recently uncovered an illegal vehicle repair shop in Central Carinthia in which around ten mechanics were employed. The commercial and financial law calamities for the operator will keep them on their toes for a long time. As has already been reported from several workshops, the number of customers who, after unsuccessful attempts at repairs by vehicle detailers (vehicle service stations), have found out that the electronics have been repaired “to death”, for example, is increasing. What potential liability will look like remains an open question.

Politics required

Michael Schnabl sees politics as having a role, "because the very name of this independent trade is misleading for consumers. Customers cannot be expected to recognize a correct distinction under commercial law. It is high time for politicians to abolish or change the misleading name of the 'motor vehicle service station'."