tackleberry Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Hi being new to this hobby does any body know of a reliable honest garagethat can do servicing mot etc i am close to chester north wales border any info would be most welcome (?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Newell Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 At the risk of blowing my own trumpet we do our best to privide a top grade service. I have an eight Tonne lift and my neighbouring Halfords workshop can handle MOTs on most motorhomes up to 5.5 Tonnes actual weight and six metres wheelbase. Give us a call (website details in panel to right of this posting) :D . D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scramblers Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Some years ago, I read an article that listed a number of recommended garages for servicing motorhomes. In the list was BT (yes, the telephone company). Apparently BT Fleet has diversified from just maintaining its own vehicles to many other companies’ vehicles from cars to light vans and HGVs, they also service and repair private vehicles. All work is covered by a 12 month or 12,000 mile warranty and they have a network of over 500 garages. For the past 4 years I have had my car and motorhome serviced and MOT’d by BT. The service cost less than halve of the dealer network garage and did not invalidate the warranty as they are VAT registered. http://www.btfleet.com/service/service-maintenance-repair.aspx I cannot recommend them highly enough and, no, I do not work for BT. They have a garage at Hartford Way CHESTER CH1 4NN and with a bit of luck this link should take you to the contact details and directions http://www.btfleet.com/RedsideServerContent/locations/location_details1.aspx?ws2_search=660&search=Search Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G. Gyp. Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 tackleberry, I have used RC Motors on Wrexham Ind Estate for the last few years. They were recommended to me when the caravan place was across the road. Mark, the owner, has carried out both mechanical service and MOT in his workshop. No problem for height/weight etc and I have no reason to go elsewhere especially when he is just down the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 The Fiat dealer at Longton, Stoke on Trent has a good reputation amongst motorhomers. I used them last year for my belt replacements, 5 year service & MOT. Pricey, knowledgeable but a little too professional and not quite friendly enough for my liking. Excellent space for parking and it is just off the A50. Gladstone Pottery museum is within walking distance and so is the local library. Unfortunately, Longton town centre is a sad place with some derelict buildings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Newell Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 I don't understand the comment "too professional", how can any business be "too professional" please? D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ekka Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 Perhaps he means that too professional meaning you cannot get past the front desk to engage with the mechanic doing the work, this is often the case with the larger outfits. I have to say I have never trusted ANY dealer/garage due to a lifetimes experience of bodged jobs, items missed, general carelessness, and could easily write a book on the subject, witness my daughters advice just this weekend by a local garage that it would OK to drive with a seized brake calliper until they had a new one come in. The garage business is and has always been a thorough nightmare for the end user, and a good little earner for the "service" business that for the most part is something anyone with a modicum of intelligence can carry out, and know it HAS been done. Just look up my post in "essential buying guide" in Motorhome Matters, just to know where I'm coming from in a long list of trying to find a company that is reliable. >:-( Sorry to Dave Newell who may be a paragon of virtue but I am sure he will acknowledge the Russian roulette nature of trying to find a company that is bomb proof. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smifee Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 As a technical numpty trusting whoever is going to work on my MH is more important than the distance. That's why I drive from Hampshire to Telford for Dave Newell to breathe his magic on my van. Dave:- I know I should have booked in last month but after last years snow I've decided to have the servicing done when it's warmer (lol) . Had the MOT done locally and because you look after it so well it sailed through. See you in sunny Telford end of March/beginning of April. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ekka Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 That obviously speaks volumes and kind of makes my point, there is no one you would feel happy to entrust the work to anywhere in Hampshire and feel the need to embark on a 340 mile round trip to "sunny" Telford, wow ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Newell Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 With all due respect Ekka that is not being "too professional" it is simply being a larger workshop. The mechanic's job is to do the hands on work not to liase with the customer, that is the job of the reception staff. Yes in small business workshop the end customer can often chat with the guy actually doing the work but that is often because the mechanic and the receptionist are often the same guy. So I repeat my question to Brock, what exactly do you mean by "too professional" please? D. In edit, cheers Smiffee, no worries we're whenever you're ready. Just don't leave it too late to book in as that is slap bang in the middle of our busiest period ;-) D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel B Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 Hi Tackleberry, welcome to the madhouse! :D As a 'newbie' to the motorhome life, I'd strongly recommend Dave Newell, he won't bull you and doesn't cost an arm and a leg (plus he's got a lovely dog called Dexter :-D ... but watch out for his Mrs .... ;-) ). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Newell Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 Dexter can no longer go to the workshop with us. He doesn't have any medical issues but because some other dog owners on the estate have not looked after/cleaned up after their dogs the landlord has no option but to ban dogs so Dex now stops at home. any customers bringing dogs with them simply need to keep them on a lead when on the estate and make sure they clean up after their pets (which of course they will ;-) ). D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rupert123 Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 Another recommendation for Dave, back down in April for my next one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casey Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 Hi, Just noticed on another forum that someone has just used bt fleet services after reading about it on this post and has reported what it cost; timing belt kit fitted £240 wheel bearing replaced £219 seems pretty good casey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Usinmyknaus Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 My 'van makes an annual pilgimage from Surrey to Telford to commune with Guru Dave at his temple of mechanical marvels and whirling spanners. He gets my vote. Bob :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 Dave, been away so only just read your question. There are numerous definitions of professionalism. Common to many definitions is the high level of competence to a clearly defined standard in a recognised field and the reflection of that competence in the price. As you would expect, the Fiat dealer had qualified Fiat mechanics who knew their stuff, a defined pricing menu and service information, an efficient receptionist and service manager, tea and coffee, clean and tidy seating area etc. The whole process from my initial enquiry to when I collected the van was to a high, clearly defined series of standards. Hence, I view them as professional. I chose them because of this level of professionalism to do my major 5 year service. It was pricey so I paid for that professionalism. I do not regret my decision to use them and consequently will recommend them to others. Do I need this level of professionalism at other times at that price? I am less sure. When working, I need the professionalism of a 4 star hotel for overnight stays, not my motorhome. But when I am away from work, I love my motorhome and wouldn't dream of using a hotel. I follow Manchester United and Kidderminster Harriers. Both are professional clubs; very different levels of professionalism and price though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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