It’s more fun than working in the garden or painting window frames. And it saves you just as much money. But it’s also social and enjoyable. That’s why DIY garages are on the rise for enthusiastic mechanics. If you get stuck, you can ask someone who is also working on their car for help.
The DIY garage is a solution for many people. There are now dozens in the Netherlands: fully equipped workshops where you can work on your own four-wheeler yourself – with or without professional help. For some, it’s a way to keep an economically totaled car on the road, while others enjoy getting their hands dirty out of passion. And just as there are various reasons for choosing a DIY garage, there are also different DIY garages. From simple garage boxes with one lift to former dealerships with a whole row of lifts ready. Founded for idealistic or commercial reasons, or mood from (former) company car clubs. At one, you can just drop by hoping there’s a spot available, while at another you have to reserve a place in advance so that the lift and extensive toolboxes or trolleys are ready when you cross the threshold.
Buzz mixed with knocking, rattling, and hammering
We were guests at Check, located on the border of Huissen and Bemmel in Gelderland. And indeed: when we arrive shortly before ten on this Saturday morning, we already hear a pleasant buzz mixed with knocking, rattling, and hammering coming from the workshop. The owner of Check is Serge Bagarian, a man with a story that became his mission. “I come from Abkhazia, but I have lived in the Netherlands for thirty years. In my homeland, it was very normal that if you took your car to the garage for a service, you just stayed there until it was ready. Not here. You drop off your car and just hope that when you pick it up, all the problems have been found and resolved at a fair price. I thought that had to change, and that’s why I started Check in 2010.”
Renting a lift costs €15
It turned out to be a hit: nowadays, people come from all over the country to maintain their cars themselves – but help is never far away. They often come with the whole family – who are then dropped off in Arnhem to go shopping while dad gets to work on the car! “Lift rental is fifteen euros, a toolbox costs ten euros, a welding machine €35,” Serge explains. “Professional help costs €70 – all prices are per hour. We charge a small fee for the disposal of oil and/or coolant, battery disposal is free.”
Independent electrician Muhammed has his own tools
One mechanic who certainly doesn’t need to rent a toolbox from Check is Muhammed Kostik. As an independent electrician, he always has the loading space of his Peugeot Partner full of his own material. “I have been a freelancer for several years and drive my car all over the country for assignments. Soon I will start a big job in Aalsmeer. From my hometown of Arnhem, that is more than 200 kilometers of driving every day. That’s why I’m giving the van a service.” His Partner is still relatively young – built in 2018 – but already has almost two and a half tons on the clock, spread over five owners. Muhammed is the sixth and bought the car with two tons. It’s a piece of cake for the 1.6 BlueHDi, but its owner is not entirely at ease. “Every time I drive away, I see a few drops of oil on the asphalt in the rearview mirror. I’m afraid there’s an oil leak somewhere.” But they don’t find that leak today. Serge has another explanation: “I think one of the previous owners didn’t clean things up properly during an oil change, so you see a drop every now and then.”
That’s also a relief, because this car is actually also a tool. The rest of the work goes smoothly. Muhammed has rented a lift for two hours, but “if the car is not ready yet and the lift turns out to be free after the reserved time, then the customer can just keep tinkering,” says Serge, who has a comment when lowering the lift: “Your front tires are quite worn. Pay attention to that, especially now that you are going to drive a lot.”
Even a Porsche 911 in the DIY garage
No sooner has the rattling diesel come off the lift than a rasping six-cylinder boxer climbs onto it. It is Willem’s Porsche 911 Carrera Targa – “last name is not necessary” – whose electric window control of the left door has failed. Something like that can always happen with a 42-year-old classic, but it is annoying. “I lack real knowledge,” says Willem. “Because Serge is around as a backup, I chose this hobby garage. I also think I will need him. I rented the lift for an hour, but I won’t make it: I’ve already taken apart more than necessary for that.” Still, Willem finds working on his car a pleasant activity. “We have a Cayenne as daily transport. You can’t do anything yourself on that. That’s a shame, and not only because of that bill of €2,700 after a service from the dealer.” The 911 is his hobby. “Yes, my wife and I like to drive puzzle rides and light rallies. We recently completed the Luxembourg-Brussels route of the Tulpenrallye.” Meanwhile, Serge has come walking: “You see: we get everyone over the floor. A few weeks ago it was a madhouse here: rows of campers to get them ready for vacation. You know what I find special? That even brand dealers from the area come with ‘difficult’ customer cars. That’s quite crazy, right?”
Defective air conditioning in the neighbor’s Fiesta
Part of the dashboard has been removed from a Ford Fiesta. Tucked away in the compact German, we discover Hossam Ismail who has taken his elderly neighbor’s car from Bemmel and is repairing the defective air conditioning. Check internally Roald is helping him. “Repair at the dealer would cost €2,000, but because the car is 23 years old, it is no longer worthwhile. That’s why Hossam is helping her.” Hossam has reserved the lift from 10 am to 3 pm, so it’s a big job. “I hope it’s not too bad,” he says. “Because otherwise the entire dashboard has to come out. If it doesn’t, I’ll have time afterwards to continue working on my own car. My BMW 320i Cabriolet is struggling with vibrations in the drivetrain, so I want to make a diagnosis. And the left door window doesn’t work either.”
There is the last visitor of this day. Sander van Rijsewijk arrives with the Seat Ibiza of an acquaintance. “I’m giving the car an air conditioning service and filling it up. My comrade thought the dealer was too expensive and because I’m a mechanic, he entrusted me with this job here.” Sander first vacuums the system and checks it for leaks and then fills it with refrigerant R1234yf, so that his friend can keep a cool head in the current summer traffic.