Preparing your car for Summer...

With the help of Approved Garages, we've put together just a few simple tips to help you ensure your car is ready for the Summer. 

• Air conditioning

Switch on your air conditioning system and put your hand in front of it – does it let our sufficient cold air? If you're travelling in warm weather (HOPEFULLY), keeping the vehicle cool can ensure the trip is comfortable for you and your family.

Oldfields Garage Services can re-gas your air conditioning system for £42 inc VAT. We can also combine this with an antibacterial treatment for your system for just £55 inc VAT. Keeping your vehicle air conditioning system topped up helps to clear your screen, can improve your fuel economy and helps to ensure you are comfortable. 

• Tyres

Tyres are the only thing between your car and the road! Making sure you have plenty of tread enables you to stay safe. Tyre pressure also plays a vital part in this (along with ensuring they don't wear prematurely and fuel economy is maximised). You should also check for rips, tears, bulges or bald spots.  

• Brake system

Your brakes need regular checks too – and it’s a good time to start thinking about them in summer. Inspect the brakes at regular intervals as advised in your user manual. Winter traffic tends to be slower than summer traffic and the freezing conditions have its toll on the brakes. We can have a visual inspection on your brakes to ensure these are in tip top condition. 

• Oil

This is simple enough to check – pull out the car’s dipstick and check the level and also the colour of the oil. Ensure it meets the mark (Below maximum, above minimum) and the colour should be a sort of amber (this tends to be black on a diesel). 

• Cool the Coolant

First of all, check the level of the coolant – is this between the minimum and maximum markers? Remember that the biggest reason for summer car breakdowns is due to overheating, so keeping the cooling system in order is vital. You should also check the concentration of the liquid. If you are not confident doing this, get Oldfields Garage Services to check the concentration for you. 

• Clearing the windscreen

You need a crystal clear view, especially with the sun glaring down and obscuring your vision. Ensure that your windscreen is in good condition, your washer fluid is topped up and replace any worn blades. Wiper blades tend to go hard over time and don't clear correctly. A new pair of blades can improve visibility (we also stock the most popular fitment Bosch wiper blades). Using screenwash fluid helps to clear your screen effectively. 

• Going on a journey?

If you're going on a long journey over the summer, you might want to book your car in for a pre-journey check. Call one of our team on 01568 612436 or Email service@oldfieldsgarage.co.uk. 

Summer Promotion - Are you planning for your 2016 summer holidays?

As you should be aware, this year, we are celebrating 25 years looking after cars, 4x4 and light commercial vans in Leominster and surrounding villages.

Throughout the year we have been running promotions as part of our celebration and this July we're giving away a JEEP luggage set from our friends at www.aspenofhereford.com.

All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning these fantastic pair of suitcases is complete a feedback form and post it in the box in our reception. The winner will be drawn at random at the end of the month. It couldn't be simpler. 


A special thanks to our neighbors, Aspen of Hereford for providing the Luggage Set. If you'd like to see the Luggage, Bags and Giftware products they offer, why not visit their website www.aspenofhereford.com? 

How capable is your garage?

When you take your car or van to a garage you should feel assured that they have the capability to look after it!

Garages need to invest in keeping up to date with vehicle changes. This starts from the bottom up, apprentices are given the time to learn and assist more senior technicians and allowed to flourish over time. Senior technicians are provided with up to date information and have the resources to carry out work of a more technical nature.

At Oldfields Garage Services Ltd in Leominster, we do this in three ways.

Firstly - choosing the right staff. All of our staff are trained and have the necessary skills to carry out the level of work that is required. We have a mix of time served mechanics and younger team members, which gives us a blend of experience and the ability to keep up to date with modern changes with your vehicle. For example, our apprentice not only learns about general mechanical maintenance (which hasn't changed massively since cars hit the roads), but also the latest technology and systems on newer vehicles.

Secondly - providing training. We have access to excellent training, but being independent this doesn't tie us to any one provider. We make a conscious effort to invest in training for our team to update and refresh their skills and keep us up to date with technological changes. One example is

Thirdly - specialist tools, information and diagnostics. Oldfields Garage subscribes to several sources of technical information which enables us to carry out more technical diagnostics and procedural tasks. Throughout the year we invest in some of the latest specialist tooling which enables us to carry out work efficiently and in some cases simply just carry out basic jobs!

Some of our specialist diagnostic tools include Bosch KTS, Delphi Diagnostics, Launch (general diagnostics for most manufacturers), Delphi Diagnostics, VAG Com (Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Seat), Battery/Charging Testers, Oscilloscope (for advanced testing and vehicle data measurement).

About us: Oldfields Garage in Leominster is an award winning Garage who are approved by The AA and RAC. They subscribe to the Motor Industry Code of Practice and are part of the Approved Garages Network. 

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. 

Local Cause - Christmas 2015

We made a conscious decision in 2012 to give a little something back at Christmas time and every year since, we have supported a local cause or charity instead of sending Cards & Gifts at Christmas. As a small local business we aren't able to give to or support everything, but we do like to use Christmas as an opportunity to give something back to the community at a time that we look at what we have and reflect how lucky we are. It wouldn't be possible without the tremendous support we receive off our customers throughout the year!

We like to choose a different charity/local cause every year and this year we have decided to support the Marches Family Network and are making a donation of £150.00 to this cause. 

Marches Family Network are a fantastic local charity who provide respite care services for children with disabilities or special needs along with support for families of disabled children. 

For more details of their work visit the website www.marchesfamilynetwork.co.uk 

If you represent a local cause or charity in Leominster and would like to be considered for Our Local Cause for Christmas 2016 please get in touch with Tim Benson on 01568 612436. 

About us: Oldfields Garage Services Ltd in Leominster carry out MOT testing for cars, 4x4s and light vans and provide a variety of servicing options, which can be found by visiting our website.

How to Find a New Garage when Moving to a New Area?

If you have moved to a new area and drive a vehicle, finding a good local garage you can trust is something that will crop up and you'll need to think about.

There are a number of ways you can look and I'm going to highlight a few key questions that will help you identify the type of garage to fit your needs.

Have they got a Website?
Searching Online is one of the most popular ways of finding a garage, but a good garage would normally have website with there address, contact details along with information of any bodies they are a member of or recommended by. They would normally have a link to reviews on their site.

Do they subscribe to a Office of Fair Trading Code of Practice?
Most good quality garages will subscribe to a Code of Practice, such as the Motor Industry Code of Practice (Motor Codes). Garages who subscribe must adhere to a minimum standards and would usually have several reviews for you to look at. You can visit Motor Codes here and use the "find a garage feature." If a garage has more than 20 feedback reviews it would be reasonable to consider these

Are they Approved by Reputed Motoring Organisations such as the AA or RAC?
MotorCodes approved garages are currently inspected every 2 years by the AA (although this is not going to happen in the future), but the AA also run a list of garages in an area that they would recommend for customers who break down in an area. If you are an AA member you can contact them and they should be able to provide some recommendations for an area.

The RAC also have approved garages who are inspected annually and you can find these by visiting  
there garage finder. RAC approved garages are also allowed to display an RAC sign on their building.

How Long Have they Trading?
Whilst it isn't necessarily important how long a garage has been operating, Garages that have longevity would normally indicate they provide a service level that meets the needs of the local community.

Is the Garage Generally Busy?
If a garage is generally busy then this is normally an indication of their reputation in the local area. Good Garages are usually busy, but will also try to accommodate you if possible - setting a realistic timescale.

Do they Offer Courtesy Cars or Collection and Delivery?
This may or may not be important to you, but it is worth considering to allow some flexibility with getting your car looked after. It is also helpful during busy times with the garage.

Do they have enough Staff?
This might sound a silly consideration, but if a garage only has one member of staff they are unlikely to be able to respond quickly to an emergency.

Are their Staff Qualified to the Required Level?
Keeping up to date with modern vehicles is very important as vehicles and their management systems are becoming more complex. Garages who regularly provide staff training would usually display these in there reception area.

Have you Asked your Neighbours?
If you have a garage in mind following your research don't forget to ask your Neighbours what their reputation is like.

About us: Oldfields Garage in Leominster is an award winning Garage who are approved by The AA and RAC. They subscribe to the Motor Industry Code of Practice and are part of the Approved Garages Network.