[Paul B]

Probably just another one of my moans but today I took the car in for its MOT and Service which expires on thurs. After walking home I got a call from the garage saying its a 'diesel' (no shit sherlock) and that their gasometer is broken meaning they can't test it. This is a main dealer and they knew all along it was a diesel.
So now I'm stuck a bit, Nat could do with the car for work and it ruins our weekend plans if we haven't got wheels, can anyone recommend somewhere Sheffside thats both decent and likely to have some space?

[dave]

Tavern at crosspool are decent and honest. 01142662408

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

Cemetery Rd, just near the round about are pretty good.

[Jaspersharpe]

Probably a bit far for you but I use . Very reasonable and have always done a good job. Obviously it's also very handy for me as I work 1 min walk away.

[Paul B]

Its booked in near Nats work after a recommendation from a colleague. Thanks everyone. Finding somewhere with a good rep and late availability isn't easy.

[cofe]

For info, Kwik Fit Eccy Rd did ours at VERY short notice on Friday when I realised the MOT was up as well as the car tax. I wouldn't have taken to them normally though. Can't complain about the service, mind.

[Bubba]

For future reference, Dot Mot just off Queens Road are great - totally independent (they don't do any repairs so have no vested interest in failing you) and are not overly strict.

[Paul B]

For info, Kwik Fit Eccy Rd did ours at VERY short notice on Friday when I realised the MOT was up as well as the car tax. I wouldn't have taken to them normally though. Can't complain about the service, mind.

Personally I'd never take a car to kwik fit. They've lied to me about the state of my discs and the previous owner had used them to service the car, all sorts of warnings kept coming up which all boiled down to incomplete servicing. A decent service later and they all went away. Mind you I wouldn't use GK group sheffield after this mornings troubles. I struggle to see how people can try and tell me that its not their fault when it clearly is and then not be in the slightest bit apologetic about the inconveniences they've caused.

[cofe]

I've never actually had a problem with Kwik Fit, even though I wouldn't use them for service etc. But you asked for last minute MOT recs, and that's exactly what they helped out with, with no hassle. Worth bearing in mind.

[wiain]

Paul, given you live near the Foundry I'd recommend Graham at the wicker arches. It's something like WGC Autos but you can't miss it. Neil and I have both used him for years and he's cheap and reliable. On the downside you don't book in in hour slots - it's a leave the car there for the day sort of place.

[Jim]

although I automatically dislike places like kwik-fit, they did help me out massively on a sunday afternoon many years ago when everywhere else was shut with a seized slider bolt in the brake caliper. He free'd it off and cleaned it up for me and they didn't charge me anything. Gave the mechanic a few bob to get himself a couple of pints to say cheers

[Paul B]

Paul, given you live near the Foundry I'd recommend Graham at the wicker arches. It's something like WGC Autos but you can't miss it. Neil and I have both used him for years and he's cheap and reliable. On the downside you don't book in in hour slots - it's a leave the car there for the day sort of place.

Thanks, like I said I've booked it in elsewhere now.
I'm sure some kwik  fit type places are gold dust and I'm sure they're a good bet for late availability.However I've been lied to about a set of discs that are still going strong by KF, due to that I struggle to trust them. It went in for a set of pads which they advertise to replace for free forever, no surprise if they tell you your discs are shot each time you pop in. They also managed to rip the air bag connectors from the base of the seat by violently slamming it back and denied any wrong doing even though it went in without a light on and came out with. This was the Sheffield branch, near Sytner.

[SamT]

Another thumbs up for a local garage...
Motec - just off the back of Eccy road by the entrance house to the cemetery. Always been straight up with me.

[underground]

On a similar subject, recommended places to get work done? Don't necessarily have to be MOT places, just good quality, honest and not out to take the piss like franchised dealers seem to be.

Do any independents have the computer facilities? Mine's a Mazda if it makes a difference.

[Paul B]

Yes they'll have fault readers, if you have a super modern BMW then I think you begin to struggle.
Fiat seemed over dependant on diagnostics to me and weren't willing to verify the faults coming out of the car with a multimeter without a big argument. They'd ordered all kinds of (expensive and large) engine parts all of which weren't needed, it was all down to not emptying a drain tap on one of the engine filters.

[lagerstarfish]

For future reference, Dot Mot just off Queens Road are great - totally independent (they don't do any repairs so have no vested interest in failing you) and are not overly strict.

 

D.O.T. = does only tests (although they now do servicing as well)

[lagerstarfish]

I thought I'd add a reccommendation to this (old) thread.

Steve Plain on Thirlwell Road Heeley/Meersbrook

Having reached the limit of my abilities and having got my Chevy Astro back together/drivable again I took it to Steve to see if he fancied a crack at it. They are a Peugeot specialist, but are happy to have a look at most things.

Anyway; we agreed that I would source the American parts and get them sent to him (so no markup from him) and he would get the work done.

He phoned to say that they had dropped a bollock and had brocken part of the air conditioning whilst doing the main repair and that they would not be charging me for the extra time and parts - he also offered to lend me a car.

Nice to experience a bit of honesty in the car repair industry.

I intend to use him for servicing in the future

[James Malloch]

Resurrecting an old thread...

My car needs an MOT in the next 2/3 weeks.

Are DOT, Tavern etc still decent places?

Any good recommendations?

[James Malloch]

Scrap that, gone for DOT after mark20 said it passed his car! Cheers for the 4 year old recommendation, Bubba.

[Johnny Brown]

Steve Plain is a legend, I've been going to him for years. He does/ did a bit of climbing and is entirely honest.

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

Steve Plain is a legend, I've been going to him for years. He does/ did a bit of climbing and is entirely honest.

he sorted out some busted locking wheel nuts when kwik fit, challenger etc didn't want to know.

[Bubba]

Scrap that, gone for DOT after mark20 said it passed his car! Cheers for the 4 year old recommendation, Bubba.

You're welcome   I went to DOT last time but I'm not quite as in love with them as now they've started doing their own spannering and quoted me quite a bit more than my usual garage for replacing some suspension bits.  Might try Steve Plain next time.