VAG garage in London / Essex

[Faz123]

Hi Guys,

I was wondering whether you guys could point me in the direction of a good independant garage for an MY07 VW Golf Gti. I do not mind travelling (within reason) for a decent outfit.

The car needs the cam belt replaced along with the water pump, and will need a service fairly soon too.

Thanks in advance,
Faz

[Mutton]

AMD Essex at Lakeside know VW's inside out and are a good bunch to deal with. I've used them in the past on non VAG cars and now use them for servicing my wife's 2009 Golf. They're very good cost wise too.

[Fats25]

Depends where you are in Essex, as to how close Kent is for you, but I took my VW into these guys this week:-

http://www.redoakgarage.co.uk/

I had a spurious error kept popping up re front parking light needs replacing. I could tell the front parking light was working, and assumed it was an electrical gremlin that would need a replacement connector etc. Everything through VW main dealer seems to be a connector. I think this is because connectors are not covered by the warranty.

I believe VW charge a rate (£60 perhaps) just to plug into VAG.com/VCDS, then would have been diagnosis on top. This place found the fault (a dodgy rear bulb as it turned out), replaced the bulb (2 in the back, and 1 in the front as they were there anyway), and it cost me £33.

£33 - I have never been charged so little by a garage.

Also from conversations I had with them, they care. Fantastic customer service, and they will be getting all of my business going forward. They also spotted another error related to the door ECU, which explains why I periodically get locked in the car, which is covered by warranty. They will be getting the business ahead of VW dealer, even though my cover, covers dealer hourly rates.

[AllyBee]

http://www.westsidemotors.co.uk/

These guys have been going an age (never used them myself though). Based in Woodford Green.

[Faz123]

Thanks for the help so far guys.

I think I will be going with AMD tuning. They are the closest to me, and also by far the cheapest. Westwood want £400+vat as opposed to AMD who are charging £312.

Thanks one and all!
Faz