Judds garage, Byfield

Absolutely fabulous garage, friendly, honest, know what they’re doing. Scheduled my car for welding work as well as a check up, all was done to a great standard as always. Taken my car there a number of times and every time I’m always treated with the greatest respect, we chat, we have a laugh, I get made to feel welcome. I know exactly what work needs to be done, anything crops up I get a call, nothing gets done without a chat first. Great value, great service, best place to go, I have no problem recommending to anyone that needs a garage. All in all a fantastic family run business, I won’t take my car anywhere else.

I wanted to support a local business, particularly after Covid. But it seems this garage, having long been a trusted provider to the village, has turned to dishonest ways of making money. They add between a 50-100% markup on parts , way more than you'd get at a dealership in order to profit as well as charging labour fees. For example, an oil change on a 0.9 Ford engine cost over £100 in oil and fuel cleaner alone (labour on top!) when in other garages this costs £45. They change filters that don't require changing, one of filters needs changing every 30,000 miles and the car had only done 9,000 since last filter change. Presumably this is to generate additional profit. If you politely query all these charges at pick up the men squirrel away and this stern woman comes out and says "well you don't have to come back" they don't go through the bill with you, they don't apologise for putting in unnecessary parts and billing you without any authorisation. In more than 20 years of driving, I've never come across a more dishonest and badly managed garage, unless you want to waste money stay away from here. I have since discovered that most of Byfield residents go elsewhere to have their cars looked after, as these practices are known in the village. It's a real shame.

Solid, honest, decent garage. Can fix most issues, on most cars. Also know what they cannot. Trustworthy. Not extortionate.