Car valeters are the unsung heroes of car dealerships. To find out exactly what they do we sent James Batchelor to do a proper day’s work

AUTOKLEAN began eight years ago with the owner washing cars with a bucket and sponge. ‘I can remember it vividly,’ Kyros Michael tells me. ‘I started out on a weekend trial at an independent garage with a bucket, sponge and a pump. I remember it so well because I had to scrape all the snow off the cars before I began valeting them.

‘After the first day, the owner handed me his business card and told me to name my price to wash all of his cars. That garage became our first client and one of our biggest.’

Fast forward eight years and Michael is now sitting in front of me in a sharp grey suit with his marketing director, Dave Martin, to his side. We’re at Walton Audi, one of AutoKlean’s longest- serving clients, with mugs of coffee in hand chatting about the company.

‘It was at that independent garage where we got our first contract when we realised that valeting companies who specialise in the motor industry only supply a car cleaning service,’ explains Michael. ‘Actually, it’s not a service at all – it’s providing bodies to clean cars. Valeting is a second consideration, and service is not considered at all.’

Martin adds: ‘This is what we can offer. We can supply drivers, office equipment, showroom cleaning, collection and delivery, and we can even supply guys who can do odd jobs around the dealership. While we are primarily car valeters, we can even supply dealers with guys who can weed your forecourt.’

Flexibility in being able to offer a complete valeting package for dealers is one of the reasons why AutoKlean has developed into a specialist company. It’s why they have franchised dealer clients ranging from Robins & Day Peugeot to Sytner Porsche, independent garages, and bodyshops.

The other reason is the service AutoKlean offers. Starting out as a car valeter himself,

Michael knows how businesses operate, so he has tailored his company to match the requirements of his clients. ‘We offer a personable and professional service. For example, if someone asks us to supply them with four people, by 6am

I know if one is off sick, by 6.30am I will have found someone to stand-in, and by 8.30am they will be ready to start with the rest of the crew.

‘Another example is if someone has requested a holiday, we don’t just replace them with someone else who’s unfamiliar with the client’s routine – the replacement will work alongside the person who’s leaving for their holiday the day before to learn the routine and the work required from him.

‘Essentially, we offer a service that takes all the concerns and worries of running a group of valeters away from the client – we do what we do best while they do what they do best,’ Michael says. ‘But on the rare occasion we can’t find cover,’ adds Martin, ‘Kyros or I will do the job! That’s great for the valeters and for the dealer principals to see us getting stuck in too – we know what we’re doing and, frankly, we enjoy valeting cars. We’re not always wearing suits,’ grins Martin.

But there the conversation stops. ‘Now it’s your turn to get stuck in, James,’ says Martin. ‘All the guys are waiting.’

GET STUCK IN

Walking past the rows of spotless and gleaming Audis, I’m aware that Michael has high expectations of his staff. Luckily, I’ve been placed in the trusted hands of Islam Uddin – site supervisor.

Located ‘out the back and along a bit’, AutoKlean’s valeting site is a long but narrow Perspex hut. On the to-do list today is an assortment of used and new cars as well as some that have come in for a service. That means 30 cars will be valeted, prepped and generally made to look showroom-fresh today – and I’m lending a hand.

My first job is to help with a filthy A3 S-line that has been part-exchanged for a much newer model and will be put out to pasture with the other immaculately presented approved used Audis.

‘Here’s your cloth and some gloves – let’s get started,’ smiles Islam Uddin.

Uddin is responsible for the five-man team at Walton Audi who are here throughout the year in all weathers and, like moths to a candle, pounce on the A3 and start to transform it back to the way it left the factory immediately.

First up is a blast of the power washer, and then it’s lathering the car in a thick, soapy shampoo. I’m in my comfort zone here for shampooing my car is something I do every weekend, but I’m not prepared for the speed at which AutoKlean’s valeters do it.

While I am cursing Audi at making their grilles so difficult to clean, the guys are already leathering the car down, breaking out the high-sheen polish and cleaning the engine bay.

It takes AutoKlean’s guys two hours to clean a used car thoroughly inside and out. Naturally, not all the cars are like the A3 which look as though it’s taken part in a round of the British Rally Championship. But no matter what state they come in, they are all treated to the same level of fastidious cleaning.

We’ve soon moved on to the final part of the valet – the interior. ‘This is probably the most important bit,’ says Michael. ‘You’ve got to remember this is the place where the customer actually experiences the car. And when they buy the car, they want the feeling that they are the first to sit in it – even if it’s a four-year-old car.’

So, with that statement ringing in our ears, it’s out with the vacuum cleaners, shampooing brushes, window polish, plastic cleaners and even paint brushes for the air vents. Islam and I are tasked with the job of cleaning the boot – quite a nasty job when its former residents were, one assumes, a pack of dogs.

Within half an hour the boot and the interior have been transformed to a condition that Ingolstadt would be pleased with. ‘Approved’ plates are fitted and it’s wheeled out of the valeting bay looking like new.

Next up is an A5 Coupe that has to have a full exterior valet within 20 minutes, but one car is enough for me – I’m exhausted. And that is the professionalism of AutoKlean’s valeters; they’re here from 7.30am to 6pm, all year round, putting money back into cars.

‘With the economy the way it is,’ adds Michael. ‘There has never been a better time to invest in valeters. Customers are demanding extraordinary levels of quality in used cars, and by employing

a team of valeters like us you can increase the chances that your customers will drive away happy and will want to return to you for aftersales, or even to buy a new car.’

Martin adds: ‘We’re concentrating heavily on finding new clients at the moment. Whether large or small, we’re interested in talking to dealers personally. By that I mean Kyros and I will meet you to talk you through the benefits working with AutoKlean can give you, and we can find out how to tailor ourselves to suit your business. We’ll even wear the suits!’

For more information log on to AutoKlean.co.uk or call 0845 408 2975. Features like this appear in Car Dealer Magazine every month. Join Car Dealer Club for £25, get free legal advice worth £199, and a copy of the mag every month delivered to your door!