When a company changes hands, you should take a close look, that goes without saying. After all, nobody wants to buy a pig in a poke. However, the fixed assets of car dealerships are difficult to value. Equipment and fittings in particular, can only be accurately classified by experts in terms of their value and fulfilment of legal requirements and manufacturer standards. This is why more and more companies are using our expertise to gain clarity before the takeover. One example is the Autohaus KAHLE Group in Hanover, for whom we analysed the equipment of three prospective new locations during the summer of 2024.

Challenge: Valuation errors are costly and must be avoided

Firstly, we'll deal with the ‘big chunks’: lifting platforms, wheel alignment systems, tyre changers etc. cost a lot of money to purchase. This makes it all the more important to correctly assess whether they are (still) suitable for their purpose against the background of the manufacturer-specific vehicle technologies, whether they can continue to be operated safely and whether they will still fulfil the vehicle manufacturer's standards tomorrow.

Solution: We send our most experienced and knowledgeable consultants to do the assessment

Only experts can correctly assess the inventory in terms of suitability, condition, legal requirements and vehicle manufacturer standards. This is why we rely on consultants who can look back on a great deal of experience in car dealerships and are also very familiar with the manufacturer's specifications. On behalf of the Autohaus KAHLE Group in Hanover, cotedo consultants André Glanz and Thorsten Simon visited and carefully assessed three VW dealerships in August 2024.

Result: Reliable statements about the equipment – and about how things are going

At the end of their detailed summary, our two experts not only reported the hard economic facts. They also described their impressions of the actual service processes and accompanying factors such as cleanliness, tidiness and staff motivation. Thorsten Simon explains:

Ultimately, our analysis allows us to make a precise and insightful statement about the profitability and future viability of service management. The soft factors in particular may not be directly relevant to the purchase price. However, they give the future buyer a good picture of the expected productivity so that, if necessary, adjustments can be made right from the start. In the three companies we visited, the majority of our soft factor assessments were positive, so the client can expect a smooth transition. Of course, we are always pleased when we can provide such positive information.

What happens next?

We have been advising vehicle manufacturers and car dealerships for over 17 years and ensure understanding and compliance with standards through expertise and respect. Interested? You can reach us by telephone on +49 (0)89 716 77 97 00 and by e-mail: [email protected]