25 Years Caring for Customer Vehicles

We are delighted to have reached a significant milestone in our history - Oldfields Garage has been looking after our customers cars and vans for 25 years. We'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of our customers along the way who have helped us get to where we are now and we look forward to seeing many of you long into the future.

Who would have thought when Paul & Cheryl Benson took over "Moons Garage" on Green Lane in 1991 that we would now be at our current site looking back at memories of customers former and present (fortunately some who have been with from the start) and still run by the same family, but now with eldest son Tim also working for the business.

So, how are we celebrating?

As a thank you to our customers and to celebrate our milestone we are going to be running some special promotions throughout the year, starting with the first - an exclusive chance for our customers to win VIP entry to the Betfair Premier League Darts in Cardiff!

What's the event?

Judgement Night, Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff on Thursday March 31st 2016

The 2016 Betway Premier League Darts season begins on Thursday February 4 as the sport's biggest names battle it out over 16 weeks at venues across the UK, Ireland and Holland in a bid to lift the coveted trophy at London's O2 on May 19.

Defending champion Gary Anderson will head into the season on the back of winning a second consecutive world title and will face Adrian Lewis - the man he beat at Alexandra Palace - in his opening fixture in Leeds.

Four other former Premier League champions will collide on the first evening of fixtures, with six-time winner Phil Taylor taking on 2014 champion Raymond van Barneveld.

Dave Chisnall v Peter Wright
Raymond van Barneveld v Michael van Gerwen
Robert Thornton v Adrian Lewis
Michael Smith v Phil Taylor
James Wade v Gary Anderson

How do I enter?

The competition is only open to Oldfields Garage customers who visit us between 26th January and March the 18th 2016 and complete a feedback form. The winner will be drawn at random on Monday 21st and announced via our Facebook Page.


About us: Oldfields Garage Services Ltd in Leominster carry out MOT testing for cars and light vans and provide a variety of servicing options, which can be found by visiting our website.

Return to www.oldfieldsgarage.co.uk

Can any Garage Service my car and keep my Warranty valid?

One of the questions we get asked, as an independant garage, is "can you service my new vehicle" or "does it have to be serviced by a Manufacturers Approved Agent (also know as a Main Dealer)" to keep the Warranty valid.

The short answer to this question is No, it doesn't have to go to a main dealer. The reason for this is because of the "European Block Exemption Ruling," which stops Vehicle Manufacturers from stipulating that you must go to a main dealer. I'm going to try to explain the key elements without getting bogged down with jargon.

There are several things that you will need to consider before taking the plunge and moving outside of Main Dealer Garage Network.

Firstly, any garage can service your vehicle providing they follow the manufacturers service schedule correctly, use the correct oil and use parts that are original equipment matching quality approved (also called OE matching quality). Services also need to be recorded correctly.

1. Following the Correct Service Schedule
Good Quality Garages subscribe to technical data that ensures they have up to date vehicle information, including "Manufacturers Service Schedule" information. For example, at Oldfields Garage we subscribe to technical data from Autodata and Autovista. We also subscribe to Autowork for service schedule information. Other information sources are available, but we find that using these sources of technical gives us enough coverage for most vehicles.

2. Using the Correct Oil
To ensure we use the correct oil, we use Millers Oils who blend oils in the UK to meet various manufacturer specifications. Millers aren't the only company who blend the correct oils. In cases where Millers Oils don't have the correct blend we uses other suppliers. I've written a blog about using the correct oil here.

3. Matching Quality Parts
Original Equipment matching quality doesn't necessarily mean they have to be bought form the manufacturer. There are a number of aftermarket suppliers who have achieved OE Matching Quality status. We work carefully with our local suppliers to ensure we use high quality parts, which are of the required quality and readily available.

4. Recording Services Correctly
Once the service has been carried out using the correct schedule, oils and parts it must be recorded correctly. This is either in the service book that is provided with the car or with some manufacturers via the Online Electronic Service Record. The garage you use will normally need to subscribe to be able to update the Online Service History. We subscribe to most Online Service History systems to ensure service information is recorded correctly.

5. Is there Anything Else to Consider?
Some manufacturers offer an extended warranty and a goodwill system (although goodwill is becoming less seen in the industry). Some manufacturers only offer extended warranty to vehicles that have been serviced in there manufacturers.

About us: Oldfields Garage Services Ltd in Leominster carry out MOT testing, servicing and repairs for cars and light vans in Leominster, Herefordshire and the surrounding villages of Kingsland, Eardisland, Kimbolton, Bodenham, Luston, Stoke Prior, Yarpole, Docklow and more.