Recommendations for Ducato service and MOT in Kent or Sussex (1 Viewer)

Jul 5, 2013
11,722
13,698
Tunbridge Wells, Tunbridge Wells, UK
Funster No
26,797
MH
A class
Exp
Since 2013
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 :(:cry:. 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.
 
Oct 29, 2016
4,500
52,518
Surrey
Funster No
45,842
MH
Carthago C Tourer
Exp
Motor Homing 5 years, caravan previously
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.:giggle:
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
 

Eddiex

Free Member
Sep 9, 2020
160
75
Funster No
75,661
MH
Hymer B584
Exp
2015
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!

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Dec 24, 2014
9,189
47,487
Hurstpierpoint. Mid Sussex.
Funster No
34,553
MH
Compass Navigator
Exp
Ever since lighting was by Calor gas.
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.

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

LIFE MEMBER
Mar 17, 2018
437
1,336
Kent
Funster No
52,842
MH
Hymer B664 CL
Exp
Since 2018
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.
 
Dec 31, 2017
647
708
South East
Funster No
51,792
MH
Burstner T690G
Exp
Caravanner 40 years. Motorhome 8
We use KAP at Shorncliffe Motor Park, Folkestone. Very near M20 exit.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

denisejoe

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 6, 2014
5,616
12,041
Warden isle of sheppy
Funster No
32,702
MH
A Class
Exp
Since 2004
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.
 
OP
OP
peterc10
Jul 5, 2013
11,722
13,698
Tunbridge Wells, Tunbridge Wells, UK
Funster No
26,797
MH
A class
Exp
Since 2013
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?
 
OP
OP
peterc10
Jul 5, 2013
11,722
13,698
Tunbridge Wells, Tunbridge Wells, UK
Funster No
26,797
MH
A class
Exp
Since 2013
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

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Last edited:
Oct 29, 2016
4,500
52,518
Surrey
Funster No
45,842
MH
Carthago C Tourer
Exp
Motor Homing 5 years, caravan previously
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

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
OP
OP
peterc10
Jul 5, 2013
11,722
13,698
Tunbridge Wells, Tunbridge Wells, UK
Funster No
26,797
MH
A class
Exp
Since 2013
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.
 
Apr 2, 2017
336
486
Maidstone, UK
Funster No
47,999
MH
Laika Kreos 5009
Exp
Since 2010
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

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Lenny HB

LIFE MEMBER
Oct 18, 2007
53,309
149,502
On the coast in West Sussex
Funster No
658
MH
Hymer B678 DL
Exp
Since 2008 & many years tugging
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.
 
Oct 14, 2007
3,980
6,211
Rochester
Funster No
619
MH
Auto-Trail Mohawk
Exp
16 fun filled years
I have been using Swale/Burgess for about 12 years and have a very good relationship with them, so no problem recommending them (y)

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
OP
OP
peterc10
Jul 5, 2013
11,722
13,698
Tunbridge Wells, Tunbridge Wells, UK
Funster No
26,797
MH
A class
Exp
Since 2013
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.
 
May 23, 2013
1,781
2,814
Not on the Coast East Sussex
Funster No
26,142
MH
Hymer B504
Exp
Since 2013
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

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Jan 16, 2014
1,339
2,457
Surrey
Funster No
29,725
MH
Rapido 854f
Exp
Since 2012
We use the SES Water company garage in Redhill for MOT and servicing.V reasonable charges
 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Funsters who are viewing this thread

Back
Top