Honest mechanics - do they exist??

[busybee20]

Help! I am just FED UP of being ripped off by mechanics. Is there ANYONE out there that can give an honest opinion and not charge a fortune!!!! Would be greatly appreciated by my purse strings if any decent car mechanics in Kingston/Twickenham /Richmond area etc... if anyone knows of them I mean.

I have a 100% honest garage that I use & have recommended to others in Bath.

Yes, North Road Garage in Kelty, in Scotland. Family run business, excellent service, customer care second to none and always willing to go the extra mile
Has helped me out in the past with small jobs, fitted in there and then despite being really busy and when I ask how much, have been told "och, don't worry. Put a wee bit in the pot for the boys' Christmas!"
Big Eck rocks!

i can do you one in Leeds....

Have fab guys in Takeley, Essex. Use them for everything. Were recommended by a friend who has used them for years.

FIL is a mechanic in Glasgow, would never overcharge.

I have a fantastic mechanic. He's quite posh. He never, ever talks down to me, always explains exactly what he's going to do and why, and never does more than is absolutely necessary as far as I can tell.

The only problem is that he's so brill that trying to get 10 minutes with him is like trying to get an audience with the pope. He's a very busy man.

I too have a lovely mechanic. I've recently had a problem with my head gasket and they have taken the car in on three consecutive occasions and because they couldn't find a cure they have not charged me a penny. Lovely, lovely man and his wife (who mans reception) is quite happy to sit and have a good gossip with me whilst I wait for the car to be done :)

I have a fabulous mechanic who is near Dorchester, and I am in Bristol (my Dad recommended him and after being screwed over many times it is worht the trip)!

Yes! I have been ripped off in the past but eventually found a fantastic one where we used to live - really honest and very reasonable. I was gutted to lose him when we moved, but he actually told me to ring him if I thought I was being ripped off by a mechanic in the new place and he would give me his professional opinion!

As it turned out, I found a great place where we live now, recommended by a friend. He is hidden away in a place you'd never find by chance but doesn't advertise - he relies on personal recommendation only, and he is always busy. I took my car in recently because it was making a horrendous noise. I thought it was going to be something serious (and therefore seriously expensive!) but it turned out to be a belt that needed replacing. He fixed it the same day for £14! He could have charged me £140 and I'd have been none the wiser! :)

BikeRunSki where's the one in Leeds? Got my first car so need to plan.

Thanks everyone for your posts. That's what I love about Mumsnet, there is always someone that can help. Silly me - don't know why I didn't post on here earlier!

We use this one in Kingston. We first found it when being towed by the AA . They are great. They work long hours, and are friendly and I really trust them not to rip me off.

I have a brilliant one (after years of being ripped off!), I'm in Scotland though.

Manticlimatic - Andy Wightman on Millshaw/Town St in Beeston, close to White Rose Centre.

ATS and Halfords garage in welwyn garden hav been lovely just wanted to give them a little mention