How The Internet Is Changing Car Servicing

2010 saw an increase in the number of UK households with an internet connection reaching 19.2 million equating to 73% of all UK homes. Further research revealed that 30.1 million UK adults (60%) accessed the internet daily and over 31 million made a purchase of goods or services online in a single 3 month period. For some purchases and services it’s fair to say that people are looking for instant gratification. Music downloads and online movie rentals being a great example. What about other aspects of our now busy and demanding lives are people trying to make easier by looking to the web?

Cars are a necessity to our everyday lives, commuting to work, taking the kids to school or the dog to the vets. Without them our lives become increasingly difficult. However these heavily relied on means of transport require an annual car service and MOT to keep them in tiptop condition. With over 19 million UK homes owning at least 1 car, how is web life influencing the way we run our vehicles?

Some aspects of car ownership already seem to work well online. Hundreds of insurance quotations are available at our fingertips 24 hours a day, by simply entering a few details on one of the many popular comparison websites. Road Tax is now available online providing the car is registered as having a valid MOT and insurance policy but what about the routine process of car servicing and the annual MOT?

Until recently it would have seemed impossible to arrange your annual MOT or car service online but with more demand being placed on our daily schedule by work and family commitments the desire to book our car servicing and annual MOT online has become increasingly appealing. More and more people no longer have a “family garage” and they rarely have the time to search through the phone listings looking for an “honest garage”.

The desire to look and book online with pre approved quality garages 24 hours a day has seen the launch of several car servicing websites. Consumer websites such as this now make it easier than ever before for consumers to find a quality garage in their area at a time that suits them. These websites allow people to book their car service or annual MOT online at prices that can be significantly lower than those offered by traditional vehicle dealers. Also, consumers can have greater confidence in the garages featured on the websites, as many have membership criteria. The overall result makes booking a car service quicker, simpler and in many cases, cheaper.

We now live in an age when we can now fill our fridge from our supermarkets- online; buy a new TV from an electrical retailer- online; update our music collection- online; and now even book our car service or annual MOT online. The divide between real life shopping habits and web life shopping habits is growing smaller, the two are now becoming a blend of convenience and practicality for the consumer who wants to stay in control in real life and web life.