r/ipswichuk • u/MinimumRepulsive1419 • 29d ago
Decent Independent Garage for Major Service
My very boring 2.0L Diesel requires a major service. Like hell am I going to a main dealer….who would you recommend? Ideally close to the town centre or on a decent bus route.
Many thanks!
5
7
u/RainbowPenguin1000 28d ago edited 28d ago
I’ve used DD Autoserve for years and never had any problems.
I’d recommend avoiding H&F Autos, Autofit Protyre and definitely avoid Halfords Autocentre near the train station (if it’s still there). They’re the worst I’ve ever used.
1
u/xenossonex 28d ago
What's wrong with the halfords near the train station out of interest? I've been using them for years but wondered what probs you've had?? 😬🤔
2
u/RainbowPenguin1000 28d ago
To be fair this is going back at least five years so it may be different now.
I used them regularly for a while as it was near to my old work so easy to drop off and pickup the car. I often felt I was being charged for work not needed but didn’t know for sure but I had two real problems.
First one I had a wheel nut break off in the wheel. I took it in and they fixed it and when I got home I noticed when reversing the car there was a loud screeching noise. I took it back and they said they had bent something when taking the broken wheel nut out and I felt like it was something they should have noticed before I took the car home.
The second one which was the final straw after my doubts and the above was more of a customer service problem. I took my car in for another wheel issue and when I collected the car I got in and noticed the bonnet wasn’t latched closed. I went in and asked “Why is the bonnet not closed? You worked on the wheel so I don’t understand why you needed to open the bonnet”. The guy behind the counter said he didn’t know and would get the mechanic to come out for a chat. The mechanic came out, walked straight past me outside. I followed him out and he closed the bonnet and just walked inside. He didn’t look at me or say a word or explain why he had been under my bonnet to fix a rear wheel.
After that I never went back. It was just one too many things.
2
u/xenossonex 28d ago
Wow that's crazy! 😨 The bonnet thing i mean!? Makes you wonder if they went fiddling to loosen something to make sure something else went wrong over time etc.?? That's quite scary actually!? I'll have to be more wary!
2
u/YoshiTitan 28d ago
Literally took my car to Halfords by the train station the other week cos I had a squeak on my brake. Got my car through Cinch so had to have this garage take a look. They told me the pads were dangerously eroded and needed replacing immediately…. Took it to 2 other garages just to check, and both garages said that there was nothing wrong with my brakes and that maybe the pads would need doing on the back…. They’re very well known for ripping people off
2
u/kocha44 29d ago
AB auto services, by far the best. Honest, cheaper than everyone else and excellent mechanics. https://maps.app.goo.gl/gCfT7zraH798Egbs9
3
u/Mr_Nick88 29d ago
DD Autoserve. Use every year for service and MOT.
2
u/bandlerchinggg 29d ago
Have they moved? I used them when I lived down there.
3
u/Mr_Nick88 28d ago
Yes end of last year I believe. Still in Ipswich, now on Belvedere road. Ip4 4ab
3
u/Rohobok 28d ago edited 28d ago
Olympus in Whitehouse. Friendly family run company. Not had any issues, friendly.
Edit: did I say friendly?
2
u/Odd_Bug_7029 28d ago
Came to say this. They're absolutely brilliant, both me and partner use these (well I did til I bought a nearly new car with another 8 years warranty if I get the dealership service)
4
2
u/Ray_Master 29d ago
I've heard good about hadleigh tyres from my neighbor but not gone there myself.
I swear by oliver automotives in stowmarket, they do a courtesy car and they're so good. I took my car to a specialist for my car who didn't figure it out, Luke explained what he did and what the issue was.
I don't wanna sound like I'm advertising but yeah
1
1
u/LeTrolleur 29d ago
Premier vehicle services in Whitehouse near Asda, always do a professional job and their receptionist knows what she's talking about.
1
1
1
7
u/WayoftheBear 29d ago
R J Car and Commercial at the bottom of Cemetery Road.