AES York is a family-run independent workshop, established and run by Mark Shipman. Known locally – and increasingly nationally – for solving complex faults, Mark has built a reputation for tackling repairs workshops struggle to complete.

A proud member of independent workshop networks, Mark and the AES York team uphold high standards, ensuring customers can trust their vehicle is in professional hands.

After 10 years working between dealerships, Mark launched his own mobile diagnostics service to support local workshops. While hard work, the venture was successful; however, as time progressed, he discovered that the most profitable work – service and repair jobs – was often out of reach for mobile technicians. This prompted him to establish a permanent workshop.

AES York open for business

AES York first operated out of a 1,000sqft facility but moved to new premises in 2021. Since then, despite the hurdles a rural location provide – like recruiting within a small catchment area – the business has gone from strength-to-strength.

AES York has established itself as a go-to specialist for complex diagnostics and system repairs, particularly for Peugeot, Citroën and other PSA vehicles. Customers travel long distances to access the workshop’s services – both intrigued and impressed by Mark’s strategic, visually engaging social media content showcasing a variety of successful fixes. The workshop’s strong reputation for technical expertise, underpinned by the use of ALLDATA, is another factor.

Why ALLDATA? To meet the challenge of complexity head on

Electronic systems, complex wiring and manufacturer-specific quirks mean experience alone is no longer enough to guarantee a fix. Mark notes some independent workshops struggle with this, often unwilling to invest in the upskilling, correct tooling or the OEM information to confidently repair modern vehicles. AES York is primed to take advantage of this opportunity.

Mark explained: “Cars now are going off on their own separate tangents. When I started 30 years ago, if you knew how to fix cars, you could fix most cars. Now, every make and model has its own quirks – software updates, for example, are part of the repair process. Even simple tasks – like tracing a blown brake light fuse – could take hours without accurate wiring diagrams or OEM guidance.”

ALLDATA at the core of diagnostics

Mark first signed AES York up to ALLDATA over a decade ago through a collective garage subscription. Initially, it was a complementary tool, but today it is central to every job.

AES York’s workflow typically starts with reviewing the vehicle’s fault codes and symptoms, consulting ALLDATA for wiring diagrams, technical service bulletins and step-by-step procedures. This preparation often occurs before the vehicle even arrives at the workshop, ensuring efficient and accurate diagnostics.

Mark said: “ALLDATA gives us the confidence to fix cars that other garages can’t. It’s like having a technical team in the background. Whatever we need, we can get the information for that vehicle, so we know how it works.”

Recent examples…

• Peugeot van: After another garage failed to resolve a recurring issue, ALLDATA wiring diagrams revealed a shared circuit with the clutch switch. This allowed Mark to quickly trace a short at the clutch pedal, fixing in minutes what had previously taken days of unsuccessful diagnosis.
• Peugeot 308 radio fault: With no prior experience on the model, ALLDATA’s OEM step-by-step procedures guided Mark to the safe removal of vents and trim, enabling fast access to the unit and eliminating the risk of damage or wasted time searching for hidden fixings.
• Peugeot e-208 EV motor fault: Faced with unfamiliar electric motor fault codes, ALLDATA provided technical bulletins, system data and wiring diagrams, allowing Mark to understand the system and diagnose the issue with confidence rather than guesswork.

Thanks to ALLDATA, AES York can accept work from other garages too – non-starts, DPF faults, engine management lights or electrical issues – validating Mark’s point about investing in the right tools to complete a modern repair.

ALLDATA used for upskilling – building confidence

ALLDATA is a crucial tool for the whole AES York team; complex diagnostics is what it is primarily utilised for, but Mark’s staff rely on the system for routine service and repair guidance too. This ensures a consistent approach, reduces guesswork and prevents mistakes when accessing hidden components or unusual vehicle layouts.

Mark added: “All of my staff can access the same trusted OEM data. It makes the workflow consistent, and it frees me to focus on the more complicated work.”

Tangible growth and customer trust go hand-in-hand

ALLDATA’s impact on AES York is clear:

Faster diagnostics: Accurate wiring diagrams and procedures reduce time spent diagnosing and prevent unnecessary disassembly.

Confidence to accept complex work: Access to OEM data frees the team to tackle jobs other workshops might decline.

Customer transparency: With precise repair information, AES York can set realistic expectations and provide clear quotations.

Network building: Demonstrating expertise through successful repairs has strengthened AES York’s reputation and expanded its referral network.

The combination of reputation, OEM repair data and strategic marketing – the driver behind his own annual training event, which ALLDATA participates in – means AES York is not surviving, it is thriving.

Preparing for the future

Looking forward, Mark plans to continue expanding his diagnostic capabilities, particularly in electric and hybrid vehicle systems. ALLDATA is a key partner in this growth, providing confidence, technical guidance and efficiency that should be staples of every independent workshop.

Mark concluded: “If you want to build a workshop in today’s environment, you need tools like ALLDATA. It’s transformed how we work and allows us to take on jobs that others simply can’t.”