AVW, Caernarfon

A brilliant honest hard working knowledgeable team who you should take your campervan to if you are in the area or even go on holiday there and leave the van they may have a hire car.

The workers worked quickly, leaving my car fully serviced, sparkling clean. They made sure I understood everything and in like a lot of other garages did not pressure me into any purchases or changes. They even offered to give me a lift into town as I didn't have a way of getting there. A* customer service!

I have a second hand 2003 T4 VW which was due a 'belt change' at 17000 miles. AVW performed the change, but thereafter the vehicle displayed a lack of power. We returned the van to AVW and after re-checking the previous work, some vacuum pipes were replaced and things seemed back to normal. However a short while later a significant loss of power was experienced. This was diagnosed over the phone with AVW as a turbo 'limp mode' and power recovered by switching off, and on again. At this stage I was becoming quite frustrated and beginning to question the sequence of events. AVW requested the return of the van at our earliest convenience for a full investigation over a period of a couple of days and eventually the source of the problem was located. It transpired that the inlet 'trumpet' inside the off side wing was collapsing at moderate to high throttle openings and this was restricting airflow. A most unusual and unexpected fault. This problem was undoubtedly a function of age and nothing reflection on any the work that AVW had undertaken. The overall effect is that as a result of AVW's depth of knowledge expertise and tenacity, we now have a van that runs better than at any time we have owned it. All thanks to Tim and his boys. Paul Todd

Sticky Situation No More. Recently purchased an Audi A3 Quattro from Newcastle, turned out to be only running on 2 wheels not 4 as the haldex unit was faulty. Looked up Audi specialists online and came across AVW on Which. They fixed what a main agent/dealer would only replace, saving me an obscene amount of money in the process. I live near Holyhead but will always travel to Caernarfon to get my car fixed from now on! Outstanding service from the team.

Having read the shinning reviews and believing the mechanic hand an intimate knowledge of the vehicle, I had taken my van in to have an informal inspection. (The Inspection failed to notice a key part of the suspension was severely compromised) But was recommended to have a new used engine installed. I agreed... Installation took significantly longer then quoted; this was considered during final billing. But poor quality of work meant Oil Leaks, coolant Leaks, overheating, clutch slip, cold starting issues... All of which meant multiple visits and more outlay. I feel have been very fair with these issues. Finally I had noticed a snapped bolt head (high tensile) had been left in the engine bay a few months after the install. If had paid more attention to this i probably would of noticed this came from the engine mount and the rest of the bolt was stick in the block, I probably would of also noticed the other bolts did not have any thread lock applied. Instead the engine fell out whilst driving. I will not be retiring to AVW, they are expensive, wasn’t amazed by customer service and ultimately very sloppy if not dangerous.

Been going to this garage for 30 odd years; they specialise in VW group, BMW and Porsche, but can do anything; 'characterful' loan cars available; always cooperative and friendly; will give advice over the phone etc. The owner, Tim Bartlett, is something of a boffin, once diagnosed a knocking in my son's car with a stethascope. However, don't expect a main dealer type luxury lounge! Not cheap, but excellent value ....

Before my summer trip from Brighton to N.Wales an unusual warning light came on the dash of my ageing Volvo. My usual garage [Bells of Brighton] did not have the techno-kit to analyse the problem so I went to the main Volvo deaker. For a small fortune they told me they had fixed the light but could find nothing wrong with the system. Halfway up the M6 ...the light re-appeared! I was staying near Caernarfon and Yellow Pages listed AVW as a garge for foreign makes.They analysed the problem, found two faulty components in the air-intake, ordered them [from Europe!]and fixed them within 3 days. Nice friendly staff, no 'techno-gobble-de- gook' good workmanship....and last but not least... waiting room coffee you could actually drink!