Neil Garner MOT

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Hello All,

Its service and MOT time - in the past I have used David Gerald for servicing and a number of different non-TVR specialists for the MOT however both are due at the same time this year and I've only just realised Neil Garner is a much closer drive to me than David Gerald (lets be clear, very happy with David Gerald and the only reason I'm going elsewhere this year is because Neil Garner is closer) - I am therefore taking the Sagaris to Neil Garner to get both done.

Now having read the article about Neil Garner in Sprint a few months ago and what has been posted about Neil Garner on this site, I have no worries about them at all regarding the service. HOWEVER, they outsource the MOT.

During my 9 years of TVR ownership I have needed 7 MOT's and on 3 occasions my car has been damaged - that is not a great statistic! (Can I just be clear that none of this damage was ever caused at David Gerald TVR as I have never used them for the MOT)

Despite me politely pointing out the low ground clearance, the need to warm up or the need to engage 5th before reverse - not many of these non-TVR specialist seem to listen or understand so the next thing I am hearing is the crunch of gears or the scrape of front splitters. I tell you, my heart is in my mouth every year I need an MOT.

I am therefore looking for feedback on the place that Neil Garner use as an MOT - I have the option just to leave Neil Garner get on with the service and then them looking after the MOT however I am tempted to stay with the car all day and go with it to the MOT place and watch them like a hawk. Quite frankly me being polite has not worked as my car is rarely looked after therefore I am thinking a change of tactic is the only way by being very blunt with them and insist I drive the car everywhere.

Can any Sagaris or T350 owners give me any feedback on whether I should be concerned?

Thanks a lot
Antony

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axeman332 said:

Neil has looked after my TVR since he first moved to Kemble.

The garage that he uses for MOT's I have dealt with for the last 18 years, both for my commercial vehicles and my TVR.
They realize that TVR's are not the average car and as a result, they only allow one of their staff to drive them. He is suitably qualified and I have never had any problems with them---quite the reverse, they are sympathetic to the idiosyncrasies of the make.

That was the answer I was looking for - thank you John. Out of interest, judging from the confidence of your post, I trust you would have no issue leaving your TVR with this garage? What TVR do you have and what's 'the' technicians name?

Cheers a load
Antony

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allanb said:

+1 for Neils MOT garage.

I've had my Tamora and Tuscan done there, and they do good jobs.

The Tamora's front end was too low for the other MOT stations I have used in the past, around Bath and Bristol, but these guys are used to handling TVR's every day, so no problem for them.

Thank you, my nerves have settled now! The Sagaris is booked in for a week today

Antony

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maxclark91 said:

trust me as a tester the last thing one wants to do is damage a sports car with a customer watching so is generally happy to listen to any advise like how all the light switches work or opening doors bonnets etc.

I am sure you are right but in my experience they do listen but then get a little bit excited when seeing a TVR then forget everything you just said. Just last year "please engage 5th before reverse", next thing I know............crunch after crunch! Then on the ramp, the front splitter is damaged.

In all cases when the car has been damaged every person has been very apologetic and gutted its happened however its still a pain in the rear end. It seems the Neil Garner MOT garage deals with these cars everyday therefore less tempted to get excited and accidentally damage the car. Fingers crossed and we shall see!

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Well I am pleased to report that I have picked up the Sagaris from Neil Garner and must say I am very pleased with their service and that of whom they outsource the MOT (albeit just a once off experience thus far). The bill came in much higher than I had hoped however out of the handful of issues they picked up, a couple I knew about and a couple they showed me under the vehicle therefore happy that it needed doing. The people there do seem very personable, spend time to explain and show you things which I like.

After being worried about people - even with good intentions - damaging my car when in their possession, I am happy to report the car came back from Neil Garner in the cosmetic condition it was delivered. However, I just washed the car today and scuffed my rear nearside alloy on a kerb - not a huge scuff as scuff's go but they were in perfect condition. AAAAArrrrgggghhhh - the irony.