Guys.
A bit over the top here.
Mazda supply their specific Code Reader to any garage that wants to but it or they will hire out their diagnostic software via their portal that any garage can access to allow a garage to use the diagnostic software on their own Windows laptop.
The Mazda dealers have to buy their code readers as well off Mazda. The main thing they tend to keep secure is key coding info to protect car security.
VW/AUDI make their code available to other code reader companies who provide code readers at reduced costs. They also allow the independents who buy VW code readers etc. access to system downloads to let the independents install later editions of ECU software to VAG cars during services.
Now in some cases even the dealers with their software cannot fix certain faults but that is the case with other items of equipment.
You could say well that's OK for say a dealer in Reading who services say 6 VW/Audi cars a day as he can accept that cost in his overhead due to being in a populated area.
Therefore what about the trusteed local garage that has serviced my parents and my car car for the last 50 years in our local village.
Well think back to when Barclays etc. had a branch in every village in the England. Here in Aberdeenshire we had a branch of the Clydesdale bank in the village of Auchenblae say population of 400 people. That closed in 1990 and we had to go to Laurencekirk say 1,500 population and had it's own cattle mart in the 80's. Well the Mart is well gone to one 40 miles away and 15 years ago the Clydesdale closed that branch.
We were then attached to the Stonehaven branch. Population 14,000 I assume. That branch closed in 2017 and we need to go into Aberdeen 30 miles away.
Sorry but that is what will happen to the smaller garage, not good news at all but the reason the branches closed was that everyone was banking online and the staff were not busy at all.
The trusted local garage will go the same way as the local farm that used to sell your milk direct to your door.
Do I like this, no I do not but that is just that way of things are going!
