Extensive renovations have totally transformed this shop into a facility that will even impress its highly particular Porsche and BMW customers.
irage has some of the best curb appeal we’ve seen. The funky, angular façade screams ‘high tech’ and sets the highly professional tone of the business. There’s a well marked estimating bay under cover at the front of the building and another internal area that can also be used for estimating or hand over. Reception is compact but stylish.
This is a long narrow shop which runs through three sheds. The Spanesi paintroom which was installed a couple of years ago is visually impressive and cheery with its yellow livery. Second generation owner Chris Caratti says it has been extremely reliable. Each of the two downdraft preparation bays are flanked by side and front loading spraybooths, with the paint mixing room at the end. It really makes the most of a narrow building which seems airy thanks to the open roller doors.
The panel shop and parts storage are clean and neat and tidy. There is some old school Italian craftsman mentality in this business married to the latest technical training and equipment. There are only 19 Porsche certified repairers in Australia, their standards are sky high, BMW is also extremely demanding. Securing two such prestigious ‘badges’ is a great way to carve out a market niche and have a strong point of difference. Unfortunately the Perth economy can fluctuate with the fortunes of the mining industry and this can really affect the prestige car market. While Mirage has a great website and regularly interacts with customers on social media platforms we’d like to see a robust marketing plan to minimise quite times.
As well as total dedication to technical excellence and an obvious passion for cars, Mirage clearly offers a next level customer experience with a coveted five star Google rating and evidence of great customer feedback.
Mum, Severina and dad, Leo still work in the business, Leo in the panel shop and Severina in the rather plush suite of offices upstairs. This charming family have moved with the times, invested in creating a stunning shop, upskilling staff and state-of-the-art equipment. There’s also a huge solar installation on the roof. We expect at least another couple of upmarket OEM badges will adorn the building in the next few months. Chris says one of his industry pluses are: “Never compromising our standards or ethos "Dedicated to excellence"
It’s great to see hard work and high standards rewarded.
powell’s points
Second generation Chris has extensively modernised this outstanding repair facility, which included installing a side loading rail system to over come space restrictions, all this under the watchful eye of Dad Leo, resulting in improved work flow and gaining new prestige badges. Keep up the good work.
shop stats
Size: 2130m2, 1000m2 workshop
Staff: 14
Type of repairs: All types
Avg cars repaired PW: 50-60
Avg key to key: Drive 4.7 Non Drive 10.8