Vakgarage van der Bijl

What Vakgarage van der Bijl does

Vakgarage van der Bijl is a single-location independent automotive service garage based in Rijswijk, South Holland, Netherlands, founded in July 1975 by Hans van der Bijl (originally as Autobedrijf van der Bijl in Den Haag). It operates as a franchisee within the Vakgarage network — the oldest and largest independent garage franchise in the Netherlands with 355+ locations — which itself was acquired by LKQ Fource in April 2022. The garage holds BOVAG membership, RDW recognition for APK periodic vehicle inspections, GroenGedaan sustainability certification, Qualified Modern Car Repair certification, and the Vakplan ISO-related quality system. The customer base consists of individual car owners and commercial fleet operators in the South Holland region.

The company's core offering is vehicle maintenance, repair, and APK inspection services, delivered through a physical workshop in Rijswijk using Bosch multi-brand diagnostic equipment, dedicated brake testing/diagnostic benches, and STEK-compliant AC service tooling. The product portfolio covers Grote Beurt and Kleine Beurt maintenance packages, brake service, timing belt replacement, air conditioning services (€49–€225 across R134A and R1234YF refrigerants), seasonal tire services (summer, winter, all-season, plus storage) under the GRIP Expert label, towbar installation via Brink (Thule), pre-purchase inspections, and a Velgenconfigurator online wheel configurator. The business also sells used cars, offers private and business leasing, distributes Vakgarant auto insurance (in partnership with Actua Groep), and provides a €64.95/year Pechhulp roadside-assistance subscription tied to maintenance contracts.

The business model is predominantly transactional (per-service fees) with select recurring elements (insurance subscriptions, leasing, roadside assistance, tire storage). GTM is direct-to-consumer via the local workshop and an online Werkplaatsplanner booking tool, supplemented by national Vakgarage brand campaigns (sweepstakes, newsletters, magazine content) and local sponsorship of K.R.S.V. Vredenburch. The company employs approximately 5 people and has built a strong local reputation (9.6/10 across 1,057+ Klantenvertellen reviews; 8.1 ANWB rating versus a 6.4 industry average). Revenue is not disclosed.

Name

Vakgarage van der Bijl

Legal name

Vakgarage van der Bijl

Website

https://vakgaragevanderbijl.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Vakgarage van der Bijl is a single-location independent automotive service garage in Rijswijk, Netherlands, providing vehicle maintenance, repair, APK inspections, and tire services to individual car owners and commercial fleet operators in South Holland as a franchisee of the national Vakgarage network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Repair and Maintenance Services

NAICS

Automotive Repair and Maintenance (8111)

SIC

Services-Automotive Repair, Services & Parking (7500)

akta.pro primary industry

Tire & Wheel Services (Mount/Balance/Alignment) (TLAKAAAD)

Keywords

• Automotive repair services
• Vehicle maintenance services
• APK vehicle inspection
• Tire sales and fitting
• Car service center

Headquarters

HQ city

Rijswijk

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Services: Core revenue stream from automotive maintenance and repair including oil changes, filter replacements, brake service, and major/minor services. Revenue is transaction-based per service performed.
2. APK (Vehicle Inspection) Services: Official periodic vehicle inspection (APK) services performed as RDW-recognized inspection authority. Includes mandatory emission testing.
3. Tire Sales and Services: Sales of summer, winter, and all-season tires along with tire fitting, balancing, and alignment services. Bandenopslag (tire storage) service also offered.
4. Air Conditioning Services: AC refilling, cleaning, and maintenance services with multiple service packages (R134A and R1234YF refrigerants).
5. Vehicle Leasing: Private and business leasing services offered through Vakgarage network. Financial and operational lease options available.
6. Vakgarant Auto Insurance: All-risk vehicle insurance with extended warranty, offered in partnership with Actua Groep. Includes 24/7 breakdown assistance.
7. Used Car Sales: Sale of pre-owned vehicles (occasions) from showroom inventory.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Vakgarage van der Bijl is a BOVAG-recognized and RDW-approved automotive service workshop in Rijswijk providing multi-brand vehicle maintenance, repair, and APK inspections, supplemented by tire retail and fitting, brake and air conditioning service, towbar installation, roadside assistance, car insurance, leasing, and used car sales. The business operates as an independent franchisee within the Vakgarage network and targets individual car owners and commercial fleet operators in the South Holland region.

Product overview

Vakgarage van der Bijl is a member of the Vakgarage franchise network - the oldest and largest independent garage chain in the Netherlands with over 355 locations. The company operates as a BOVAG-recognized and RDW-approved automotive service center offering a comprehensive portfolio of vehicle maintenance, repair, and related services. The core offering centers on APK (vehicle inspection) and vehicle maintenance services including major and minor services (Grote Beurt, Kleine Beurt), brake service, air conditioning maintenance, timing belt replacement, and seasonal tire services. Supporting services include tire sales and services under the GRIP Expert brand, winter and holiday vehicle checks, towbar installation, roadside assistance (Pechhulp), warranty services, car insurance (Vakgarant), and vehicle leasing (private and business). The company also sells used cars (Occasions) and operates a tire shop with an online wheel configurator. Sustainability is highlighted through the GroenGedaan! certification for environmentally conscious practices.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• APK Keuring (Periodic Vehicle Inspection) Legally required Algemene Periodieke Keuring (APK) inspecting vehicle safety, emissions, and roadworthiness according to RDW guidelines. Performed as an RDW-recognized inspection station for individual car owners in South Holland.
• Grote Beurt (Major Maintenance Service) Comprehensive scheduled maintenance service including engine oil replacement, filter changes, brake inspection, and a multi-point vehicle check performed according to manufacturer specifications. Targets individual car owners seeking full-service scheduled maintenance.
• Kleine Beurt (Minor Maintenance Service) Basic maintenance service covering a 30-point safety inspection, fluid checks, and oil replacement, marketed as 'the most reliable small service in the Netherlands'. For private car owners needing routine upkeep.
• Airco Onderhoud (Air Conditioning Service) Air conditioning maintenance including refilling, cleaning, and sanitization. Three packages offered: Airco Reiniging & Refresh (€49), Combi-servicebeurt R134A (€179), and Combi-servicebeurt R1234YF (€225). STEK-compliant service for all vehicle owners.
• Remmenservice (Brake Service) Brake system service including inspection, replacement of brake pads and discs, and brake fluid checks and replacement. Supported by dedicated brake testing and diagnostic bench equipment.
• Distributieriem Vervangen (Timing Belt Replacement) Timing belt replacement performed according to manufacturer specifications, typically recommended between 90,000 and 200,000 km. Targeted at owners of higher-mileage vehicles.
• Wintercheck (Winter Vehicle Check) Winter preparation inspection covering brakes, battery, coolant, lights, and winter-specific items. 1.5-hour thorough check priced at €99.95, including windshield washer fluid (antifreeze) and excluding parts and additional fluids.
• Vakantiecheck (Holiday Vehicle Check) Pre-vacation vehicle inspection covering air conditioning, tires, brakes, cooling system, and safety equipment. 1.5-hour comprehensive check priced at €99.95.
• Bandenshop (Tire Shop) Tire retail and service including summer, winter, and all-season tires from multiple brands. Operated as part of the GRIP Expert specialist network with lifetime warranty on select premium tire brands.
• Bandenwissel (Seasonal Tire Change) Seasonal tire change service including wheel balancing and alignment to ensure proper tire wear and vehicle handling. Targets private car owners transitioning between summer and winter tires.
• Auto Uitlijnen (Wheel Alignment) Wheel alignment service to improve roadholding, reduce fuel consumption, and prevent uneven tire wear.
• Banden Balanceren (Tire Balancing) Tire balancing service eliminating vibrations and ensuring smooth driving while preventing premature tire wear. Typically costs a few tens of euros per vehicle, varying by vehicle type.
• Trekhaken (Towbar Installation) Towbar installation service offering fixed, removable, and foldable options from Brink (Thule), including electrical connections for lighting, brakes, and caravan power.
• Pechhulp (Roadside Assistance) Annual subscription roadside assistance covering the Netherlands and Europe, including tire changes, towing, battery jump-starts, and replacement transport. Priced at €64.95/year when combined with a Vakgarage maintenance package.
• Vakgarant Autoverzekering (Car Insurance) Comprehensive all-risk car insurance offered in partnership with Actua Groep, including a minimum 2-year warranty extension and 24/7 Pechhulp across Europe. Distributed through the Vakgarage network.
• Private Lease (Personal Car Leasing) Personal car leasing with a fixed monthly payment that includes road tax, insurance, maintenance, tires, and Vakgarage Pechhulp. Targeted at individuals who want predictable costs without ownership commitment.
• Zakelijke Lease (Business Car Leasing) Business car leasing options including Financial Lease (vehicle on balance sheet) and Operational Lease (full service package) with tax advantages for entrepreneurs, zzp'ers, and companies.
• Occasions (Used Car Sales) Sale of pre-owned vehicles from showroom inventory. Vehicles are carefully selected, reliable, and competitively priced, backed by BOVAG warranty.
• Aankoopkeuring (Pre-purchase Vehicle Inspection) Pre-purchase vehicle inspection service providing buyers with confidence about a vehicle's condition before purchase, reducing risk on used car transactions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 9.6/10 customer rating based on 1,057+ reviews
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Brink (Thule)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorActive collaboration with Brink (Thule) for the supply of towbars in Rijswijk. Brink is a leading European manufacturer of towbars and trailer hitches.
• Actua GroepcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVakgarant Autoverzekering was developed in partnership with Actua Groep. Actua has been active in the Netherlands since 1986, specializing in automotive insurance products. Actua developed the first automotive brand insurance in the Netherlands in 2001.
• BOVAGcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVakgarage is a franchise network under BOVAG (Bond van Automobielhandelaren en Garagehouders). All Vakgarage locations are BOVAG members, which provides quality assurance, standardized terms and conditions, and consumer protection.
• RDW (Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer)coreTechnology or IntegrationAs RDW-recognized inspection stations, Vakgarage locations perform official APK (Algemene Periodieke Keuring) vehicle inspections. Data from inspections is transmitted to RDW and ultimately to the European Environment Agency (EEA) for CO2 emission monitoring.
• Stichting Duurzaam | ReparerenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVakgarage participates in the GroenGedaan! certification program operated by Stichting Duurzaam | Repareren. With over 3,000 affiliated businesses, it is the largest sustainability label in the Benelux for automotive repair.
• Qualified Modern Car RepairminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliation with Qualified Modern Car Repair certification, ensuring compliance with modern automotive repair techniques and quality standards.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Autobedrijf Van Mossel: Van Mossel is one of the largest automotive dealer and service groups in the Netherlands, operating across multiple brands. It is a broader incumbent: it competes with Vakgarage on maintenance and APK, but spans dealer-level new-car sales, leasing, and fleet services that Vakgarage only accesses via franchise partnerships.
• Broekhuis: Broekhuis is a large Dutch automotive retail and service group with multiple dealership and service locations. Like Van Mossel it is a broader incumbent overlapping with Vakgarage on maintenance and APK, but operating at much larger scale and brand range.
• Stern: Stern is a Dutch automotive services group combining dealer operations, leasing, and workshop services. It competes with Vakgarage on multi-brand maintenance and APK, while also offering in-house leasing and fleet capabilities of its own.

Emerging players

• Carglass: Carglass is a European auto-glass repair and replacement specialist with a significant Dutch footprint. It is adjacent rather than direct — its service focus on glass overlaps with Vakgarage's general vehicle repair but does not address tires, APK, or general maintenance.

Direct peers

• Kwik-Fit: Kwik-Fit is one of Europe's largest tire and light-auto service chains with a meaningful Dutch presence. It is a direct peer to Vakgarage on tire sales, fitting, balancing, alignment, and general automotive maintenance, although Kwik-Fit tilts more heavily toward tire retail.
• First Stop: First Stop is a European tire specialist and light-auto service network active in the Netherlands. It competes head-to-head with Vakgarage on tire retail, seasonal changeover, and ancillary maintenance services for individual car owners.
• Bosch Car Service: Bosch Car Service is a global franchise network for multi-brand automotive repair and maintenance with a substantial Dutch footprint. It is the most direct peer to Vakgarage — both follow the same franchise service-center model, use Bosch-sourced diagnostics, and target the same independent, non-dealer consumer segment.
• Profile: Profile is a Dutch tire and auto-service franchise with strong national coverage, offering tire sales and fitting, maintenance, and APK inspections comparable to Vakgarage's service portfolio. Both serve the same Dutch consumer seeking a non-dealer service alternative.
• Euromaster: Euromaster is a Michelin-owned European tire and light-vehicle service network with Dutch branches. It overlaps directly with Vakgarage on tire services, wheel alignment, balancing, and selected automotive maintenance for private car owners.

Others

• MisterAuto: MisterAuto is a Dutch-focused online retailer of auto parts, tires, and accessories. It is an ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor — relevant as an alternative parts-procurement channel for both consumers and small workshops like Vakgarage.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/autobedrijf-van-der-bijl

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vakgarage van der Bijl