The verdict in three sentences
For a network of 12 vehicle inspection stations in Berlin running main inspections (Hauptuntersuchung) under a TÜV, DEKRA, GTÜ or KÜS licence, commission-based booking portals take 2 to 5 EUR per appointment, or 80,000 to 200,000 EUR a year on 40,000 inspections. A custom booking platform costs, as a 2026 order of magnitude, 60,000 to 150,000 EUR, synced with the inspection software and including online payment and SMS reminders. The investment usually pays back within one to two years, provided you keep enough local visibility not to lose customers who used to come through comparison portals.
What the platform must do
An inspection is often booked at short notice, when the sticker on the licence plate is about to expire or before selling a car. Customers want to see the price, the earliest slot and the nearest station, then book or pay in under two minutes on mobile. For the network, the goal is to fill inspection lanes and reduce no-shows.
| Module | Function | Indicative cost (2026 order of magnitude) |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-station booking engine | Slots per lane, duration per inspection type, geolocation | 16,000 - 40,000 EUR |
| Inspection software sync | Slot import, appointment push, vehicle status | 10,000 - 28,000 EUR |
| Online payment | Deposit or full payment, promo codes, refunds | 7,000 - 16,000 EUR |
| SMS and email reminders | Confirmation, day-before reminder, re-inspection within a month | 5,000 - 12,000 EUR |
| Network back office | Prices per station, closures, utilisation stats | 10,000 - 26,000 EUR |
| Local SEO pages per station | Hours, prices, reviews, access, structured data | 6,000 - 14,000 EUR |
| Fleet customer area | Group bookings, monthly invoicing | 6,000 - 14,000 EUR |
| Total project | Depending on scope | 60,000 - 150,000 EUR |
The re-inspection reminder (Nachprüfung, due within one month after a failed inspection) is an underused lever: an automatic reminder wins back some of the customers who would otherwise go to a competitor.
Avoided commissions versus platform cost
Comparison portals bring volume but charge for every appointment, including loyal customers who would have booked directly. Here is the math on 40,000 annual inspections, assuming 60% came through a third-party portal.
| Annual item | Commission portals | Own platform |
|---|---|---|
| Appointments concerned | 24,000 | 24,000 |
| Commission per appointment | 2 - 5 EUR | 0 EUR |
| Annual commission cost | 48,000 - 120,000 EUR | 0 EUR |
| SMS (2 messages per appointment, 40,000 inspections) | Included | 4,000 - 6,400 EUR |
| Deposit payment fees (1.5% of 20 EUR on 12,000 inspections) | Variable | 3,600 EUR |
| Maintenance and hosting | 0 EUR | 10,000 - 20,000 EUR |
| 3-year depreciation | 0 EUR | 20,000 - 50,000 EUR |
| Total annual cost (estimate) | 48,000 - 120,000 EUR | 37,600 - 80,000 EUR |
If all 40,000 inspections went through portals, gross savings would reach 80,000 to 200,000 EUR a year. In practice, it is wise to keep part of the portal listings for 6 to 12 months to secure the transition.
Keeping local visibility without the portals
The platform only replaces portals if customers can find it. Each station needs an optimised local page, an up-to-date Google Business Profile with a direct booking link, and customer reviews collected after each inspection.
| Lever | Action | Expected effect (order of magnitude) |
|---|---|---|
| Google Business Profile | Booking link, hours, photos, review replies | 30 - 50% of direct bookings |
| Local pages per station | Prices, districts served, access | Rankings on "TÜV + district" searches |
| Review collection | SMS after inspection | 10 - 20% response rate |
| Existing customer reminders | Reminder 30 days before the 2-year due date | 15 - 25% recurring bookings |
| Fleet partnerships | Tradespeople, taxis, ride-hailing, rental firms | Stable weekday volume |
For ongoing local SEO, Kolonell offers SEO plans Essential, Growth and Premium at 100,000, 200,000 and 350,000 FCFA per month (about 150, 300 and 530 EUR).
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Mini case study
Thomas, managing director of a 12-station inspection network in Berlin, performs 40,000 inspections a year at 140 EUR on average. 60% of his appointments come through portals charging 3.5 EUR, or 84,000 EUR a year. He invests 110,000 EUR in his own platform, plus 15,000 EUR a year of maintenance and 5,200 EUR of SMS. In year one, he keeps one portal for 30% of commissioned appointments (25,200 EUR). His net first-year gain reaches 84,000 - 25,200 - 15,000 - 5,200 = 38,600 EUR, then about 64,000 EUR a year once the transition is complete, for payback in roughly 25 months.
FAQ
Can the platform connect to our inspection software?
Yes in most cases, via API or schedule export. The connector costs 10,000 to 28,000 EUR depending on the vendor and the quality of its documentation.
Should we require online payment?
Not necessarily, but a 10 to 20 EUR deposit sharply reduces no-shows, often from 8 to 10% down to 2 to 4% of appointments. The balance is paid at the station.
How long does it take to launch?
Plan 12 to 16 weeks for a complete version across 12 stations, with a 3-week pilot on 2 stations before rollout.
What if our stations operate under a national organisation's licence?
Some organisations require their own booking tool or branding rules. Check your partner contract before starting, as it may restrict direct booking.
Are SMS reminders regulated?
Confirmation and reminder messages are service messages. Promotional SMS require prior consent and an opt-out link under GDPR and the German Unfair Competition Act (UWG).
Let's scope your project. We define the multi-station engine, the connector to your inspection software and the plan for phasing out portals, with an indicative budget and a pilot live in 6 to 8 weeks. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
