Independent Volvo garages in South East London/N Kent

[MattR]

Hello all. I am new to this site having just taken delivery of a wonderful 1995 850SE, purchased from a main dealer. Does anyone have any recommendations for independent garages for routine servicing, in South London or North Kent?
Many thanks
Matthew

[Paul Wildsmith]

If you are a member of the Club, you can access a list of such garages. The Club magazine "DRIVER" also carries useful adverts. Membership also (usually) gives you discount at Volvo dealers.

[MattR]

Thanks for that. I dare say that the statements that you make are true, but notwithstanding what is available through the Club, the original request for helpful suggestions still stands!
Many thanks in advance

[stu850t5]

hi matt
my name is stuart williams and i am an ex volvo master technician,who now runs his own garage in kent[ashford].but i live in strood so you could drop the car to me at home if you wanted.please contact me if i can help.

thanks stuart

sw autos
heartsay garage
headcorn road
biddenden
ashford
kent
tn27 8jy

01580 291588

swautos@blueyonder.co.uk

[rowland]

hi matthew,
I have a 965cd 24v and live in SE London/N Kent,
I'll tell you one place NOT to go to, Dundalk Motors in Brockly.
they spcialise in voly's and in MY experience are competent but will take every last bean from you, all ways saying"well volvos charge £120 per hour"
a work collegue had a head problem with his 1996 965cd,went to Templars(now Parkside or Park avenue)in Orpington was Quoted £2500,took the car to ANTWISE Engineering in Rye Lane, Dunton Green,
Sevenoaks.
they did the job for just over £1000 inc VAT, and he got a courtesy car.
they know their volvos,if i have a problem i know where i'll be going
the man to speak to about volvos there is called Frank.
hope this is of help

Regards Rowland

[V70D5]

>Hello all. I am new to this site having just taken delivery
>of a wonderful 1995 850SE, purchased from a main dealer. Does
>anyone have any recommendations for independent garages for
>routine servicing, in South London or North Kent?

Yet to find one. SWAUTOS is a Bit of a jack the lad who talks the talk but doesnt really walk the walk. Had problems with pattern exhausts, discs etc, and general servicing issues. Not so keen to talk when you want to complain. Anyone can claim to be good but has anyone ever checked their work. It's only when complaining we find out just how bad these guys are, and whats the sense in recommending someone if you havent checked their work. Anyone can smile while taking your dosh.

However getting anyone to service Volvos is becoming a real pain. All the dealers in Kent are completely useless, cant even answer the phones properly let alone give proper answers to sensible questions. One dealers even said I needed a seperate lock for each door, with seperate keys when I lost my keys. Nice cars but useless backup.

Not so sure any of these independents actually do much of the required work when servicing. Yeah sure they say they did but I'm not confident. The thing is most modern cars will actually go a long time without servicing (apart from oil & filters) and we'd never know the work in the schedule had not really been done, at least the main dealers have the right gear and the mechanics, even if they dont always seem so.Best thing is to mark the service areas before it goes in and check it after.

Anyone actually found a garage willing to accept the VOC discount card and give a real discount? Even some of the recommended ones no longer do as they reckon they have bad experiences in dealing with VOC members, bringing own oil etc to services.

Pillings are next to useless in Herts, Essex dealers suck, now looking at Bedfordshire dealer Cecil larter for servicing enroute to Norfolk ...sigh

[volvobitch]

Are JC's in Plumstead SE18 any good?

My 240 needs a service and I spotted them from the top deck of the bus the other day. They had a couple of old 1960s Vovlos parked up.

[CTCNetwork]

Hi,

You could always try Hartfield Motors near west Wickham.
Ex Volvo mechanic..

Des. . . ;)

[pigapumbu]

Hi,

You could always try Hartfield Motors near west Wickham.
Ex Volvo mechanic..

Des. . . ;)

How do you know all this Des? I am in awe!! :WeAreNotWorthy:

cheers

[CTCNetwork]

Hi,
How do you know all this Des? I am in awe!! :WeAreNotWorthy:

cheers
Used to live near there.. :)

Des. . . ;)

[RaVolvoR]

I used a local garage for my 850 in Belvedere but I haven't been down to talk to them yet about my newer 2003 V70, I don't know if they've got the technology to interrogate the on board systems.

Which is a pity as they were the most honest bunch of guys I've ever come across, no bullsh1t, no "essential extra work mate" just good friendly service.

So if you want to try them they are "Gilbert Road Service Station" in Lower Belevedere, my 850 2.0 20V CD Auto was looked after by them for about 2 years, give them a call.