Good Independent Garages

[SSVAFOX]

I've given up on Franchised Dealers for many of the reasons already listed, i.e.: you take it in for one thing, and they try & find another to charge you for. So I'm now looking for a decent garage in the North West of England or North Wales. Any ideas, or good/bad experiences? Also, can independent garages reset the service indicator?

[South Shore Lad]

I've not dealt with them as such, altought they were helpful in steering me in the right direction when I had a query.

The firm is the Mini Centre on Broadgate, Preston (on the banks of the River Ribble).

They've been going for 37 years (now in 2nd generation of the same family ownership). They deal with classics and "Bee-ems".

Might be worth a try.

As for re-setting service indicator, I might have dreamt this but I thought I saw someone advertising this service on eBay. I guess a good non-franchised specialist should be able to do it.

Don't know about MINI, (I'm still pretty new to the brand) but I've never come across a main dealer that 'invents' jobs though. Sure, you pay top dollar for labour, but generally get a good job done by the experts with the proper tools and parts.

[carolann]

We checked out a MINI today that had been into an un-named main dealership, with a list of possibly 10 items that "needed attention'. The amount to repair was in excess of 700 pounds.
On checking through the list, only 3 items actually were needed and the total came to 184 pounds.
One thing springs to mind with me - 'big shop window'
Thank you for the referral CA

[Haggi]

if your near stafford then get youself into lohen they offer the full serive range and more (ive used them for all my cars stuff from tune to basic serivce and they are 100 times better tham bmw. period) if your anywhere near edinburgh pm me and i will point you to a good local german car man (he normaly dose bimmers and tuned porkers)

[Chilli_Red]

Another recommendation from me for The MINI Centre, in Preston. When I had my own business I used their services and they were always proffesional and had time to interact with the customer.
You would be hard placed to meet a nicer family run company anywhere.

A big HI to Carolann from downunder, and best regards to Terry.

Try and catch up with you next time I am over there.

[Shamster]

If you're concerned about main dealers doing unauthorised/sub standard work or looking for problems that don't exist I would look at Derek Woodman MINI. They are a site sponsor here and are used by many people, some who go to them even though their nearest dealer is closer.