In a recent episode of the On The Ramp podcast, the team sat down with Chay from Fife Autotech, a Volkswagen/Audi specialist garage based in Scotland. Chay’s story is one of rapid growth, relentless drive, and smart decisions — turning a brand new business into a £1M+ operation in just three years.
Starting as a dealership technician, Chay’s journey to garage owner wasn’t a straight line. It was full of setbacks, scrappy restarts, and calculated risks — but ultimately driven by a deep focus on diagnostics, a commitment to high standards, and a powerful network of support from others in the trade.
YouTube – https://youtu.be/cFU6RCSGiC4?si=HLFnDehYftQ1DoTo
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/2ahiAvyp8h5ijnUA9GdWH1?si=8b081839913f4ce8
The Start: From Driveways to a Diagnostic Specialist
Chay left his job at a main dealer during the Covid lockdowns, initially unsure whether he’d make the leap. But after a second failed attempt to take over a unit — and with a young family and rising mortgage — he finally went all-in. He launched Fife Autotech with £5,000 in savings, sold his home gym and motorbikes to raise funds, and worked seven days a week to get it off the ground.
He leaned heavily on his diagnostic skills, built up through years in the dealership and refined through training and community platforms like SimplyDiag. From day one, he branded the business as a Volkswagen/Audi specialist and stuck to it — even when it meant turning down generalist work early on.
The Power of a Clear Focus
A key takeaway from the conversation was how crucial it is to define your niche and build a business around it. For Chay, that meant committing to the VAG brand, investing in dealer-level tools, and making sure every customer interaction reflected that level of quality.
He also kept a close eye on numbers from day one. Even with limited experience in the business side, Chay tracked margins, watched average invoice values, and made sure pricing and cash flow were aligned with his growth ambitions.
Building a Team You Can Trust
Only six weeks after opening, Chay took on his first employee — a former colleague from the dealership. That move came earlier than planned, but the volume of diagnostic work coming in meant he had no choice but to grow. Within months, he brought in an apprentice, a second tech, and eventually someone to run front-of-house — something he admitted wasn’t his strong point.
That hire, in particular, was a turning point. By bringing in a front-of-house lead with strong people skills, Chay was able to step back, reclaim some work-life balance, and focus on developing the business.
Today, the team is made up of six technicians, with Chay no longer on the spanners. The business runs independently — a huge achievement in just three years.
The Role of Community and Mentorship
Throughout the podcast, one theme stood out: Chay never did it alone. From asking for advice in WhatsApp groups to leaning on others in the SimplyDiag network, he credits much of his early progress to being willing to ask for help — and take feedback when things weren’t working.
He also highlighted the value of surrounding yourself with people who’ve done what you’re trying to do, even if it means stepping outside your comfort zone.
Final Thoughts
Chay’s story is proof that with the right skills, a clear plan, and a relentless work ethic, even a cold-start garage can grow into a high-performing, £1M+ business in a matter of years.
But it doesn’t happen by accident. It takes discipline, sacrifice, and smart decisions — from sticking to a niche, to tracking your numbers, to hiring before you’re “ready.”
As Chay put it in the episode:
“If you’re good enough, and you’ve got the network and mindset for it — back yourself. But don’t cut corners. Do it right.”
For anyone thinking of starting a garage — or scaling up the one they already have — this episode is packed with practical advice, honest reflection, and plenty of inspiration.
