Looking for an Independent in the South East

[Goss]

Hello All,

Can anyone recommend an independent garage preferably ex VW in the south east please? I saw a post a while back and contacted the independent but didn’t make a note. Any recommendations much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Goss

 

[BigJohn]

You could try VDS performance in Redhill, a VW/Audi specialist - we've used them for a couple of small jobs on our Skoda and found them to be good, they get good reviews if you look around as well.

https://www.vdsperformance.co.uk/

 

[Goss]

Thanks Big John, I left a message with them as they are on holiday and back next week.

Regards

Goss

 

[Ch1pbutty]

These Guys have a good reputation for all VW's and have been around for years (Hove):

Pfeiffers Garage – Brighton's Main Agent Alternative

pfeiffersgarage.co.uk

Ditchling ( Ex Caffyns staff) - took our Audi in but quote was similar to main dealer so went the main dealer route:

S.W Auto Repairs Ltd. | Ditchling

S.W Auto Repairs Ltd., Ditchling. 49 likes. Volkswagen specialist. Servicing and repairs centre based in mid Sussex. Over 30 years experience, family run business. We offer free pickup and delivery...

www.facebook.com

For camper related issues, below are very good (located in Peacehaven, on the coast road). They have experience all all types of campers so are not VW blinkered, they will 1st try to fix rather than replace!:

Used Motorhomes Brighton East Sussex Used Motorhomes Brighton East Sussex | Stewart Mouland Motorcaravans

Stewart Mouland Motorcaravans, Used Motorhome Dealer based in Brighton, supplying Used Motorhomes for sale within East Sussex, including Swift, Elddis, Auto-trail, Chausson, Carthago

www.stewartmouland.co.uk

(+ (VW) SMG Cowfold, but sure that I saw your van in there having some work done whilst you were buying, as mine was in for service at same time, so assume there must be a reason for not wanting to go back)

 

[Beeechke1]

Goss, please keep us updated on you experience with VDS. I would be interested in finding a good independent who know their way around our vans.

 

[ArunAlec]

CLC in Upper Beeding,
Ex VW technician, Tom.

 

[ArunAlec]

Hello All,

Can anyone recommend an independent garage preferably ex VW in the south east please? I saw a post a while back and contacted the independent but didn’t make a note. Any recommendations much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Goss

Was that CLC, In Upper Beeding? I’d recommended in previous thread.

 

[Goss]

These Guys have a good reputation for all VW's and have been around for years (Hove):

Pfeiffers Garage – Brighton's Main Agent Alternative

pfeiffersgarage.co.uk

Ditchling ( Ex Caffyns staff) - took our Audi in but quote was similar to main dealer so went the main dealer route:

S.W Auto Repairs Ltd. | Ditchling

S.W Auto Repairs Ltd., Ditchling. 49 likes. Volkswagen specialist. Servicing and repairs centre based in mid Sussex. Over 30 years experience, family run business. We offer free pickup and delivery...

www.facebook.com

For camper related issues, below are very good (located in Peacehaven, on the coast road). They have experience all all types of campers so are not VW blinkered, they will 1st try to fix rather than replace!:

Used Motorhomes Brighton East Sussex Used Motorhomes Brighton East Sussex | Stewart Mouland Motorcaravans

Stewart Mouland Motorcaravans, Used Motorhome Dealer based in Brighton, supplying Used Motorhomes for sale within East Sussex, including Swift, Elddis, Auto-trail, Chausson, Carthago

www.stewartmouland.co.uk

(+ (VW) SMG Cowfold, but sure that I saw your van in there having some work done whilst you were buying, as mine was in for service at same time, so assume there must be a reason for not wanting to go back)

Thanks Chipbutty,
Giving SMG a miss for a while due to marked paint issues (not permanent and sorted myself) and the fact that their service diary is taking bookings for over a month away, mechanical work alright but after service poor. I have booked into SMG Tonbridge for next week so hopefully all good.

Goss

 

[Goss]

Was that CLC, In Upper Beeding? I’d recommended in previous thread.

I think so and I did call but couldn’t fix my broken driveshaft for 3 weeks due to workload.

Thanks, Goss

 

[ArunAlec]

I think so and I did call but couldn’t fix my broken driveshaft for 3 weeks due to workload.

Thanks, Goss

Catch 22! Good reputation = popular.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Thanks Chipbutty,
Giving SMG a miss for a while due to marked paint issues (not permanent and sorted myself) and the fact that their service diary is taking bookings for over a month away, mechanical work alright but after service poor. I have booked into SMG Tonbridge for next week so hopefully all good.

Goss

Mine came back from SMG Cowfold with the Roof canvas poking out of the front slightly (have never been able to replicate so still unsure how they managed it!). I didn't notice upon collection as car park was very tight, and was on the passenger side. Only noticed 20mins later when I got home , but no damage.

At the time I just put it down to the mechanic having a bad day!...

 

[ArunAlec]

Mine came back from SMG Cowfold with the Roof canvas poking out of the front slightly (have never been able to replicate so still unsure how they managed it!). I didn't notice upon collection as car park was very tight, and was on the passenger side. Only noticed 20mins later when I got home , but no damage.

At the time I just put it down to the mechanic having a bad day!...

Never comfortable using their car park/yard, it’s far too tight!

 

[Goss]

Mine came back from SMG Cowfold with the Roof canvas poking out of the front slightly (have never been able to replicate so still unsure how they managed it!). I didn't notice upon collection as car park was very tight, and was on the passenger side. Only noticed 20mins later when I got home , but no damage.

At the time I just put it down to the mechanic having a bad day!...

Annoying and just lack of attention to detail and something a workshop/service manager would spot in a two minute inspection same as my issue. There is no doubt about it, these small issues cost them business but they don’t really care.

 

[ArunAlec]

Annoying and just lack of attention to detail and something a workshop/service manager would spot in a two minute inspection same as my issue. There is no doubt about it, these small issues cost them business but they don’t really care.

Agree, it’s the obvious lack of attention/inspection that makes me question the standard of the work that you can’t see. Mine‘s been handed back with screwed up blue paper towel on the dash and on another occasion with duct tape around the window that had been replaced. Not the end of the world but it doesn’t say a “quality” job!

 

[Ozzy Pete]

Any good independent garage will have good feedback on social media. If a customer is not 100% happy a good garage will do their utmost to make that customer happy even if it costs them time and money. The saying “ The customer is always right” is not true but if a garage works on that principle that unhappy customer will return many times in the future...