Garage recommendation: London / southern counties

markob

markob

Senior Member
VIP Member
T6 Pro
Hope this is the right place for this post..

Can anyone recommend a main dealer for servicing in Surrey / SW London area ?

Not sure I believe google reviews anymore !

Been looking at SMC Croydon or Lookers Guildford but they get really mixed reviews, happy to travel a bit further if necessary
 
My T6 has been at SMG Croydon twice in the last month, once for an EGR Valve replacement (1 week at the dealer), and then again two weeks later for a faulty EGR Valve temperature sensor (2 weeks at the dealer, back order on sensor supposedly).

I can't say much about what the actual guys doing the work are like, since I'm unsure if the faulty temperature sensor was related to the original work or not, but I found their customer service a bit vague - when I picked up the van a couple of days ago, after having it with them for two weeks, I actually had to ask what the Engine Management Light problem was all about, since I never got any information from them, even after two calls.

I'll probably try Beadles up in Dartford next time, just to see how they compare, my experience with SMG hasn't left me with a glowing sense of confidence.
 
Well I went with Lookers Guildford as they are closer, the experience didn't start well, booked through their online system received an email with availability in just a couple of days and a phone number to ring to make the booking. Called the number the guy said that date was no longer available (5 minutes after the email arrived) then proceeded to ask me for all the details I had already filled in online. When I gave him the reg number he said he couldn't find the vehicle and even asked if my van was a VW.... Mmmm let me check... yes it is !

I gave up and emailed back the guy who sent me the original booking, he rang and booked me in. I explained that the van had non existent DAB reception which the supplying VW dealer had already diagnosed as a bad antenna connection, I asked if this could be repaired under warranty and was told I would have to pay for another diagnostic, when I challenged this he said I should go back to the supplying dealer (VW Oxford)

When I dropped the van off I asked again about the DAB and was told the same, as the fault may have occurred after the van was built. I tried to explain I bought the van as 'approved used' to no avail... As I knew they were short staffed I even offered for them to take a few days on the service in the hope that the good gesture might get returned (Naive I know)

I received an email a day later with a video link showing the 'technician' evaluating the van and also received a report on tyres, brakes etc

Went to collect the van a few days later and as requested by the original booking guy had left the service book in the dash for it to get stamped. As the guy went to get the van I asked if the book had been stamped he said 'they don't have books anymore - all digital' as I waited I thought about this and challenged him when he came back, he agreed to go and look in the van with me... guess what... the service book was there and hadn't been stamped, got his done and left

All in all a bit of a shambles and not exactly left with a great feeling after buying a nearly new van and taking it for its first service (15k)

Thinking I might go independent if the warranty won't be an issue, although having attempted to use the warranty service I don't hold out much hope for that either..

Now to find out how to get this rubbish DAB fixed
 
Hi All,

It sounds like the bearings have gone on the rearL wheel of our T6 so we are looking for a garage/mechanic to fix it.
Any recommendations near Brixton/Tulse Hill area of London?

What kind of price should we pay for this?

Cheers!
Tom
 
Hi All,
Need a good garage to service my T6 in the Harrow area or surrounding areas
Thanks Dave
 
Still on the lookout for recommended garage for servicing around the West London areas
Thanks Dave
 
I’ve been using Russell Automotive in Kingsbury for years. They are a VAG independent, small but long established.

Cheaper than the dealership and very attentive to detail and customer service.

I’ve never had a problem or felt like I’ve had my pants pulled down, unlike Citygate.

39E2F918-0A83-44F3-B7D8-96F9EAB11790.png
 
Hi,
Thank you for the prompt reply. l shall give them a call when the service is due. Always nice to go somewhere that has good feedback. Not far either as I'm in Harrow
Thanks again Dave
 
I'm looking for a mechanic with all the knowledge to check out my T5

I recently bought it, drove it home and then parked it up in the drive as I am planning some work on it but while getting the timing belt changed the mechanic noticed the wrong gearbox has been bodged on to the van.

I could really do with some help working out what exactly the situation is and what needs to be done to put it right...obviously I would pay for your time.

I'm based in South London close to Lee Green.
 
Hi, I have a lwb Shuttle 6.1 June 2020 with 11,300 on the clock, I have 2 free services(through finance) the oil change message came on about 2 months ago and the dealer I bought it from
(at 6 months old) told me it was on 2 years or 20,000 MLS service and that it wasn't due, I reset the message myself, now a message has come up "inspection in 27 days" what is this, and what does it entail.
The dealer I bought it from is a good distance away and as I have no faith in my local dealer can anyone recommend a VW dealer to me that is trustworthy, I live in west London.
 
www.t6forum.com

Resetting an "Inspection now!" message - other than after a service?

An "Inspection now!" message has appeared, at about 55500 miles. According to the service history, a Service 3 was carried out, by the main dealer, on 24 August 2020 at 53911 miles. Is it possible that the service warning was reset - but not the inspection warning? I can reset the inspection...
www.t6forum.com www.t6forum.com

Here's a link that may help you
 
some good info here too regarding difference in inspections vs service intervals etc

www.t6forum.com

T6 Service Intervals & Inspection, Flexible & Longlife

T6 Service intervals & inspections , Flexible & Longlife : Im just posting this here to make it easier to refer back to in future . . . source: Volkswagen Flexible Service Regimes (Longlife) | Volkswagen...
www.t6forum.com www.t6forum.com
 
Does anyone have a contact for a Mechanic around south London / Kent area, I need an oil change, cambelt/ water pump change and also engine the light just came on after an ODB scan reviling glow plug 1 issue?
Thanks in advance..
 
Noakes said:
Does anyone have a contact for a Mechanic around south London / Kent area, I need an oil change, cambelt/ water pump change and also engine the light just came on after an ODB scan reviling glow plug 1 issue?
Thanks in advance..
Click to expand...
I use VW Croydon for warranty work but they will be more expensive than an independent. Personally I would make the effort to take it to either Van Tech VW in Uckfield who have a good reputation (although I have not used them) or @BognorMotors (2 hours from South London) who I use and have a day at the seaside

Edit: if you can’t travel that far I also use Village Motors in Beckenham for the wife’s car, really nice guys who work there who won’t rip you off but unlike Bognor Motors and Van Tec I doubt they are regularly working onT6’s - let us know who you use
 
Last edited:
jimc91 said:
I use VW Croydon for warranty work but they will be more expensive than an independent. Personally I would make the effort to take it to either Van Tech VW in Uckfield who have a good reputation (although I have not used them) or @BognorMotors (2 hours from South London) who I use and have a day at the seaside

Edit: if you can’t travel that far I also use Village Motors in Beckenham for the wife’s car, really nice guys who work there who won’t rip you off but unlike Bognor Motors and Van Tec I doubt they are regularly working onT6’s - let us know who you use
Click to expand...
Thanks for the recommendations, normally I use SMG Tonbridge, but like you say “expensive”
I’ll take a look at vantec…..
 
I was with Alan Day for my first three years servicing. Their warranty work and and servicing always went smoothly. However I needed the dreaded major service and cam belt with water pump change last month which was the one I’d have to pay real money for. Didn’t want the “bloke under the arches” that a neighbour with a fifteen year old banger recommended.
So went to GSF Battersea a very smart looking Audi, Skoda, Volkswagen specialist with a good attitude. Always a bit heart in mouth taking your pride and joy to an unknown garage, specially for major work. However it went well and was all sorted in 24hrs. All that work doesn’t come cheap though so it was was still an eye watering bill but worked out about £300 cheaper than the main dealer. I’ll definitely use them again.
 
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