Topic ID 1195
Can anybody recommend a good mechanic for basic car servicing and MOT's?
Reply ID 13829
I use European Cars in St.John's Street and have no hesitation in recommending them.
Reply ID 13830
Hertford Tyre & Exhaust Centre Unit 23-24, Dicker Mill Ind Est, Hertford, Hertfordshire SG13 7AE Tel: 01992 503804 Used them for years
Reply ID 13832
Watton service station in stapleford. very good. used them for years. do a drop off service as well 01992550256 John Meishke
Reply ID 13834
Kevin Wrangle, Lives in Bengeo and is very helpful and reliable. 07889835978.
Reply ID 13863
BC Autos in Dicker Mill, would'nt use anyone else Brian 019920535105
Reply ID 13865
quote:I can totakky agree with Spitfire. Kevin is a great guy and his wife Sue, He was recommended to me and I used him for both cars. Sold one now and the guy's are using him too. Give him a bell I would suggest[:)]
Originally posted by spitfire
Kevin Wrangle, Lives in Bengeo and is very helpful and reliable. 07889835978.
Reply ID 23193
quote:Do they do all types of Cars?
Originally posted by Steve
I use European Cars in St.John's Street and have no hesitation in recommending them.
Reply ID 23195
quote:Yes.
Originally posted by Dude
Do they do all types of Cars?
Reply ID 26087
Hi all, I have just purchased a car (Ford Fiesta, P reg, 1.25) I it is in need of a Cam belt change. This is my first car and I’m looking to keep all maintenance up to scratch, can anyone recommend a reliable, good value for money garage or private mechanic to do the job and maybe a service as well. Can anyone recommend anyone/anywhere?
Reply ID 26340
quote:I recently used Keving Wrangle (as recommended by so many on here) - great service and a good price. They can collect your car and drop it back too so minimum amount of disruption. Give him a call - number above.
Originally posted by bec501uk
Hi all, I have just purchased a car (Ford Fiesta, P reg, 1.25) I it is in need of a Cam belt change. This is my first car and I’m looking to keep all maintenance up to scratch, can anyone recommend a reliable, good value for money garage or private mechanic to do the job and maybe a service as well. Can anyone recommend anyone/anywhere?
Reply ID 26349
bec501uk - set fire to it and get the insurance money. Good advice.
Reply ID 26478
quote:What was your first car then Lemon?
Originally posted by Herbert Lemons
bec501uk - set fire to it and get the insurance money. Good advice.
Reply ID 26511
It's insured 3rd party and not in my name. As I’m still a learner driving they would charge me through the roof for a policy in my name. Any other advice that doesn't included insurance fraud? (",)
Reply ID 26517
Hailey Garages are very helpful
Reply ID 29119
UPDATE: I need a cambelt change on my car also and rang all of the 'recommendations' on here. Here are my views... European Cars: £175 but they are very busy Hertford Tyre & Exhaust: The cheapest (£165) BC Autos: Pretty rude and would not give an exact quote (around £200) Hailey Garages: Would not give an exact quote (around £200) Not sure why people dont give exact quotes - how are you meant to compare them? Wasting business. Also, if you need tyres, F1 Autocentre on Ware Road has come up much much cheaper than anywhere else I have tried.
Reply ID 29121
Kevin Wrangle. top bloke.
Reply ID 30199
quote:Yeah, top bloke. Never bothered to call me back with a quote he promised. The brake job he done recently also giving off a grinding sound. Wont be using him again. If I bother to call to offer work it's only fair and polite he bother to get back to me.
Originally posted by carlos fandango
Kevin Wrangle. top bloke.
Reply ID 30203
quote:Never had a problem.
Originally posted by gregbquote:Yeah, top bloke. Never bothered to call me back with a quote he promised. The brake job he done recently also giving off a grinding sound. Wont be using him again. If I bother to call to offer work it's only fair and polite he bother to get back to me.
Originally posted by carlos fandango
Kevin Wrangle. top bloke.
Reply ID 30239
Used him for our runabout. took the car away, fixed it, brought it back. Never met him and no problems since. Also a lot cheaper than using a dealer.
Reply ID 31667
Hello all..another vote of confidence for Kevin Wrangle.[:)] Grabbed his info. from this forum a month or so ago and the man and wife team helped me out of a sticky car type mess. Great communication skills and both really nice people to have looking after you and car alike. It's truly a breath of fresh air when one meets people willing to go out of their way for folk... Extremely fairly priced I might add also. I cant recommend their service enough!! [:)][:)][:D]
Reply ID 34941
A big thumbs up for Kevin from me too. I called him to take a look at my VW Polo as it had started to make a lot of noise at speed and was having trouble starting from cold. He has fixed it all, and diagnosed and corrected some additional faults (some of which should, in my opinion, have been caught in my last full service at Formula One in Ware Road). All fixed for a reasonable price and with a very good attitude. I will be using him in future. Paul.
Reply ID 37782
Kevin and Sue his wife are good honest people, I for one have used them on our past cars and he and Sue are very professional, when presenting you with a bill EVERYTHING is itemised so no over charging. gregb, not making excuses, but he is a very busy man and that goes to prove how popular he is, I see you are on the only one has a gripe, perhaps you where unlucky, but give him another try, good honest local people are hard to come by!
Reply ID 37785
I've used Kevin for years. Think I'd better book my service early as word is speading [:)]
Reply ID 37806
I'd recommend Kevin as well - used him for yonks and have recommended him to friends. Chris
Reply ID 38944
I would also recommend the tyre place along Ware Road, Stapletons, helped me out on a number of occasions, you may have to wait but prices are fair, they sorted out my tyre with my insurance company no problem, nice people to so business with!
Reply ID 38948
Also Roy Carter's in Ware Road, behind Sam Centre on Taylor Trading estate are very good.
Reply ID 55927
I have also had the pleasure of doing business with Kevin Wrangle recently. I was extremely impressed. There is no doubt at all I will be using his services again if required.
Reply ID 56214
I've recently moved to Hertford and need an honest MOT place. Any recommendations? I'll certainly try Kevin when servicing is needed!
Reply ID 56215
I use Saab of Hertford in Mimram Road for MOT and servicing. Can't fault them. HTH
Reply ID 56218
I was waiting for anyone to mention saab of hertford - i'm amazed it's in a positive sense. I would strongly reccomend against saab of hertford, especially for MOT work. If you want honest, and approachable people then it has to be european cars on railway street..
Reply ID 56219
Cross and Palmer in St Andrew Street, very good for MOT and Service. Though are closing down end Dec after many many many years in hertford due to retirement and selling of land, not lack of business. so get in quick.
Reply ID 56220
I was waiting for anyone to mention saab of hertford - i'm amazed it's in a positive sense. I would strongly reccomend against saab of hertford, especially for MOT work. If you want honest, and approachable people then it has to be european cars on railway street.. It's amazing how two different people can find a place so different. I've been there loads of times and found everyone there very approachable and willing to help (and believe me, I've needed it!!!)
Reply ID 56221
yup, thats true. no doubt someone somewhere has a bad experience from euro cars too (albeit there's no evidence of it on here) so i guess it's the luck of the draw.
Reply ID 56224
quote:As mentioned earlier Roy Carter's in Ware Road will be honest with you re the MOT . They are behind SAM centre next door to Bentley's on Taylor Trading Estate next to all the hoarding that used to be Greens/ Desira.
Originally posted by mr_tim
I've recently moved to Hertford and need an honest MOT place. Any recommendations? I'll certainly try Kevin when servicing is needed!
Reply ID 56225
I agree with Marilyn. I have used Roy Carter for a few years now and continue to do so even though I have moved away from that part of town. As she said, honest with MOT and will keep you informed as any major work needs doing.
Reply ID 58398
We've just put our Peugeot 206 in to [url="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1st+call+mot+16+dicker+mill++SG13+7AA&ie=UTF8&ll=51.801649,-0.07066&spn=0.006887,0.019312&z=16&iwloc=A"]1st Call MOT Centre[/url] for a full service. We picked the car up and got a £600 bill. We weren't phoned to confirm extra work should be done and the cost of the service was supposed to be £130. If the work is required then I'd be happy to pay for it but would want to phoned up front to confirm the work should be done. I was wondering if anybody has used 1st Call MOT Centre and if they have had similar experiences? We weren't happy to pay the full amount so we've paid half now and will pay the rest in January after we've done a few checks. I'm guessing that this means they are confident that the work was required and has been done to a good standard.
Reply ID 58399
Don't pay them. There is no contract in place between you and them to carry out the work. They shouldn't have done it whether or not it was required. Contact the Citizen's Advice Bureau.
Reply ID 58407
European Cars service my car and have been good to my battered old DB7 Clio. Marilyn - Is this the same 'Roy Carter' that got investigated by the police for selling dodgy MOT certificates and was shut down a few years back?
Reply ID 58409
quote:Please post as a new topic
Originally posted by phobos7
We've just put our Peugeot 206 in to [url="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1st+call+mot+16+dicker+mill++SG13+7AA&ie=UTF8&ll=51.801649,-0.07066&spn=0.006887,0.019312&z=16&iwloc=A"]1st Call MOT Centre[/url] for a full service. We picked the car up and got a £600 bill. We weren't phoned to confirm extra work should be done and the cost of the service was supposed to be £130. If the work is required then I'd be happy to pay for it but would want to phoned up front to confirm the work should be done. I was wondering if anybody has used 1st Call MOT Centre and if they have had similar experiences? We weren't happy to pay the full amount so we've paid half now and will pay the rest in January after we've done a few checks. I'm guessing that this means they are confident that the work was required and has been done to a good standard.
Reply ID 58418
quote:I think you need to check your facts before you put things like that on, they only time I am aware they stopped doing MOT's was when they had a break in and had some STOLEN in the days of the old paper ones and also when they changed the rules and had to have 2 staff on, it is now run by Brian and Andy Carter and 2 more trustworthy and reliable men it would be hard to find. If what you say is true then I apologise but it must be many many years ago and bears no relation to how the business is now run.
Originally posted by James007
European Cars service my car and have been good to my battered old DB7 Clio. Marilyn - Is this the same 'Roy Carter' that got investigated by the police for selling dodgy MOT certificates and was shut down a few years back?
Reply ID 58422
quote:Apologies Marilyn. I have just checked with a police friend and the garage wasn't closed down. I am told that the 'Roy Carter' garage had it's MOT accreditation licence revoked in either the late eighties or early nineties. [B)]
Originally posted by Marilynquote:I think you need to check your facts before you put things like that on, they only time I am aware they stopped doing MOT's was when they had a break in and had some STOLEN in the days of the old paper ones and also when they changed the rules and had to have 2 staff on, it is now run by Brian and Andy Carter and 2 more trustworthy and reliable men it would be hard to find. If what you say is true then I apologise but it must be many many years ago and bears no relation to how the business is now run.
Originally posted by James007
European Cars service my car and have been good to my battered old DB7 Clio. Marilyn - Is this the same 'Roy Carter' that got investigated by the police for selling dodgy MOT certificates and was shut down a few years back?
Reply ID 58442
quote:Thank you for that, I was sure I was correct I couldn't belive any of them would be involved in anything dodgy, it was closed for 6 months while another memeber of staff was trained when the rules changed and he had to have 2 members of staff do do them and he originally worked alone on MOT's. As I said it is now run by his son and grandsons and they are all fully trained/ qualified in MOT's, Diesels, Air conditioning etc between them and honsest as the day is long! I would never hesitate to recommend them to anyone as they will only do work that is required and will advise on when anything else might be needed and will always tell you before they do anything.
Originally posted by James007quote:Apologies Marilyn. I have just checked with a police friend and the garage wasn't closed down. I am told that the 'Roy Carter' garage had it's MOT accreditation licence revoked in either the late eighties or early nineties. [B)]
Originally posted by Marilynquote:I think you need to check your facts before you put things like that on, they only time I am aware they stopped doing MOT's was when they had a break in and had some STOLEN in the days of the old paper ones and also when they changed the rules and had to have 2 staff on, it is now run by Brian and Andy Carter and 2 more trustworthy and reliable men it would be hard to find. If what you say is true then I apologise but it must be many many years ago and bears no relation to how the business is now run.
Originally posted by James007
European Cars service my car and have been good to my battered old DB7 Clio. Marilyn - Is this the same 'Roy Carter' that got investigated by the police for selling dodgy MOT certificates and was shut down a few years back?
Reply ID 77342
I have a fear i'll need to call a mechanic out tomorow; I've already prepped european cars if i can actually make it down there, but any ideas if they'll send someone out if i can't? If not who will send someone out? It probably just needs a bit of attention to get it moving and then It should be possible to get it back to a garage.
Reply ID 86015
Another vote for Roy Carter
Reply ID 86016
quote:Another vote for Roy Carter
I have used Roy Carter for a few years now and continue to do so even though I have moved away from that part of town.
Reply ID 86321
have used MRH a couple of times. The lady at front desk is frankly rude. However, we persevered beyond this and the mechanics, particularly the owner, were helpful and open. one problem was fixed, to quote, and finished just half a day late ( reasonable as it wasn't a small job). The other problem was accurately diagnosed, we were quoted for it, either by readjusting a used part or replacing with a new one. This gave us clear information to help make a choice, which was nice. whole process involve two or three phone calls from the garage during that day. once the diagnosis was made, in between these phone calls I was able to get a quote from a registered dealership to have the same work done, and it was 50% dearer. Seem good on the twice we've used them so far.
Reply ID 86492
Removed by Admin. You have to be a Junior Member or above to make recommendations [:)] http://www.hertford.net/yoursay/topic.php?id=6416 id="green">
Reply ID 86508
Another vote for Kevin Wrangle. My Dad has used him for as long as i can remember and i have used him for the last 16 years. Always a good job done at a good price.
Reply ID 86806
We always use Highline Autos - being a female i find them very reassuring and Im so confident in using them as i have been ripped off before! - http://www.highlineautos.co.uk/