Recommendations for Ducato service and MOT in Kent or Sussex

[peterc10]

I am looking for a 6 year service and MOT for my Ducato based Hymer A class in November. The MOT has to be done by 18 November, but the service could get done a bit later because of the very low mileage I have done in the last 2 years . We were booked into Johns Cross to get it all done, but they have sadly closed, and I have been waiting for James (ex Johns Cross and eddievanbitz son) to set himself up to at least do the service, but have heard nothing from him lately.

Can anybody recommend a garage or MOT station with big enough ramps for this please. We live in Tunbridge Wells is West Kent, but are willing to drive a while to get a good garage for the service, including to the Sussex and Kent coasts. Our nearest Fiat Professional is Northern Commercials near Sevenoaks but they are very expensive and I was not at all impressed with their service when I used them last.

Many thanks for any help you can give.

 

[TinaLes]

This place below is the place I will be taking my motor home to for servicing next year when the Cam Belt needs changing, they specialise in motor homes as well as trucks, and Lenny HB uses & recommends them, so they must be reasonably priced also.
Its not that near to home for me either, but I do like a place with a good reputation, so I will walk around for the day, while the work is done.
Hope that helps.
LES

Lancing Commercial Truck, Van and Motorhome specialists

Lancing Commercial – Truck van and motorhome repairs, servicing and MOTs, based in Lancing, West Sussex. Highly-skilled, long-established commercial garage, VOSA registered, members of Approved Workshop Scheme for motorhome MOTs, repairs and habitation services.

www.lancingcommercial.co.uk

 

[Eddiex]

Watching this thread as I'm also on a search for a recommendation for our 2003 Hymer B584 in the Surrey/Sussex area.

Lancing is not too far away and as suggested maybe have a day out whilst the service/mot is being done!

I was in Lancing recently and had a meal in a seaside restaurant called 'Perch on Lancing Beach' looking over the beach - quiet nice!

 

[Spriddler]

I'm always hesitant to make recommendations but I've been using my local garage, Wheelbase (unfortunately 30 miles from you), for six years for my m/h servicing, a couple of engine repairs (new starter, replace zorst manifold, cambelt kit) and MOT's and found them to be very competent, fair priced and honest. (I served an auto apprenticeship and worked in the trade for seven years, plus doing vehicle restorations for another 30 years so I'd know if they were giving me any old blarney).
You'd need to give them the dims of your 'A' class to be sure but they could put my VW T4 6.5m long 3 tonner on their ramps.

Wheelbase Garage - 30+ Years Serving Burgess Hill

Welcome to Wheelbase Garage – Your Trusted Partner in Automotive Care. Nestled in the heart of Burgess Hill, we pride ourselves on being the go-to independent

www.wheelbasegarage.com

I see that Lancing Commercials have been mentioned and on Lenny HB 's recommendation I advised my son who lives nearby in Worthing to take his Chausson to them. He was delighted with the work done, the charge and their friendly co-operation.

 

[claude et maude]

I’ve used JC Leisure at Rye for all my service needs, no idea how they compare with others but as my MH is also stored there it is very convenient.

Motorhome Servicing

Book your caravan or motorhome in for a full habitation service. A multi-point vehicle inspection by qualified technicians.

www.jcleisure.co.uk

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[Pekepal]

We use KAP at Shorncliffe Motor Park, Folkestone. Very near M20 exit.

 

[denisejoe]

We use Thomsetts at Stockbury just off the A249. He’s a Motorhomer himself. He can do up to 5.5 tonne and 6m wheelbase length. We’re 3.2 metres high and that’s not a proble.

Address is Church Lane, Stockbury, ME9 7RD. Tel. 01795 841007.

 

[peterc10]

Phoned up Lancing Commercials. They have a width restriction on their Class 4 MOT ramp of 2.54 including wing mirrors. Mine is 2.66m with the mirrors ("Bunny ears" type) folded in as much as possible. Has anybody had this problem?

 

[peterc10]

We use Thomsetts at Stockbury just off the A249. He’s a Motorhomer himself. He can do up to 5.5 tonne and 6m wheelbase length. We’re 3.2 metres high and that’s not a proble.

Address is Church Lane, Stockbury, ME9 7RD. Tel. 01795 841007.

Do they do Class 4 MOTs please

Edit - just checked and they do

 

[sharewood]

Re Tomsett, they do Class 4. I had mine done a few days ago, as I did last year.
Regards Peter

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[Floydster]

I know the ex had hers done at

Contact Paul Saunters Commercials
Phone: 01797 225755
Fax: 01424 813254
Email: accounts.paulsaunters@btinternet.com
Address
Rye Wharf, Harbour Road, Rye TN31 7TE, UK

they're just down the road from JC Leisure

 

[TinaLes]

Hi Peter
It looks like you have a Hymer A Class, I think Lenny HB Hymer Dynamic Line A Class has the same mirrors as yours, it may be a tad narrower not sure, and Lancing Commercials look after his MOT & servicing every year. He is in France touring at the moment, but I am sure when he sees this thread he will confirm that they will probably do your van or not.
Have you given them a call?, it would be a shame to miss an opportunity for them to do the service, I remeber Lenny saying how fair priced the are, plus do the job properly.
Good Luck.
LES

 

[peterc10]

Hi Peter
It looks like you have a Hymer A Class, I think Lenny HB Hymer Dynamic Line A Class has the same mirrors as yours, it may be a tad narrower not sure, and Lancing Commercials look after his MOT & servicing every year. He is in France touring at the moment, but I am sure when he sees this thread he will confirm that they will probably do your van or not.
Have you given them a call?, it would be a shame to miss an opportunity for them to do the service, I remeber Lenny saying how fair priced the are, plus do the job properly.
Good Luck.
LES

Yes Lenny's motorhome has similar mirrors, but he has the narrower Dynamic Line than my standard B class (2 or 3 years older). I know that Lenny is where I would be at this time of year, i.e. sitting in the Aire in Gruissan enjoying himself. Although I suspect his wallet did not enjoy the meal he has had.

I have given Lancing Commercials a ring and it was from them I got the information that not all Hymers A classes would fit on their ramp, because its lifting posts limited the ramps to a width of 2.54m including mirrors. Unfortunately, according to my rough measurements my folded mirrors gave me a width of 2.66m. The only hope I have is that the mirrors may be higher than the lifting posts.

 

[claude et maude]

FYI I have a full width Hymer B664 and no issues at JC Leisure.

 

[Poutie57]

I use Swale MOT centre in sittingbourne (ME10 3RH) it was originally JG Burgess a fiat professional garage and Chris the original technician is still there. I’ve just had a cam belt change and they only charged me 600 where as Haynes my nearest dealer wanted +1000. They also will tailor the service to what you actually want done and are very honest I wanted my comfortmatic clutch + brake fluid changed he checked both and told me they don’t need doing saving me another 150

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[jdk62]

Another one for Swale. Very efficient, courteous and reasonably priced.

 

[Lenny HB]

Yes Lenny's motorhome has similar mirrors, but he has the narrower Dynamic Line than my standard B class (2 or 3 years older). I know that Lenny is where I would be at this time of year, i.e. sitting in the Aire in Gruissan enjoying himself. Although I suspect his wallet did not enjoy the meal he has had.

I have given Lancing Commercials a ring and it was from them I got the information that not all Hymers A classes would fit on their ramp, because its lifting posts limited the ramps to a width of 2.54m including mirrors. Unfortunately, according to my rough measurements my folded mirrors gave me a width of 2.66m. The only hope I have is that the mirrors may be higher than the lifting posts.

Lancing Commercial recommended Ditchling MOT they have done mine the last two years very laid back, passed my LED headlamps bulbs.

 

[Diabalo]

I have been using Swale/Burgess for about 12 years and have a very good relationship with them, so no problem recommending them

 

[orridge]

peterc10 Any update on who you used for your MOT and would recommend. We also used to use Johns Cross but now looking at AMC or Motorhome Workshop in Worthing.

 

[peterc10]

peterc10 Any update on who you used for your MOT and would recommend. We also used to use Johns Cross but now looking at AMC or Motorhome Workshop in Worthing.

I ended up using Tomsetts, which are near Sittingbourne in Kent, so I suspect too far away for you. They were recommended by BreweryDave and others on this thread.

The owner is a motorhomer and they have all the gear to do motorhomes up to 5.5 tonnes and 6m wheelbase. I got a service and MOT for the motorhome, and an MOT for the Scooter. Good service and price, so would use them again. However, they are further away from me than Johns Cross so I will wait and see if James gets his new dealership up and running in the near future.

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[orridge]

I ended up using Tomsetts, which are near Sittingbourne in Kent, so I suspect too far away for you. They were recommended by BreweryDave and others on this thread.

The owner is a motorhomer and they have all the gear to do motorhomes up to 5.5 tonnes and 6m wheelbase. I got a service and MOT for the motorhome, and an MOT for the Scooter. Good service and price, so would use them again. However, they are further away from me than Johns Cross so I will wait and see if James gets his new dealership up and running in the near future.

Thanks Peter, we are only down the road from your in Groombridge so will have a look at Tomsetts.

Cheers Guy

 

[peterc10]

Thanks Peter, we are only down the road from your in Groombridge so will have a look at Tomsetts.

Cheers Guy

Where in Groombridge are you? We used to live on Withyham Road until 2001 then we moved up the hill to Langton Green.

 

[orridge]

Where in Groombridge are you? We used to live on Withyham Road until 2001 then we moved up the hill to Langton Green.

Station Road just before Lealands Close as you leave the village.

 

[peterc10]

Station Road just before Lealands Close as you leave the village.

Yep know it. Small world isn't it. We moved into the village in 1983, so seen plenty of changes since.

 

[GMLS]

We use the SES Water company garage in Redhill for MOT and servicing.V reasonable charges

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