Garage service that impressed
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I THOUGHT you may like to know that not all Commercial Garages try to "rip off" hauliers passing through (Dear Sir — "0 what can't little hands do?" December 31).
I recently bought a 1979 Mercedes 1617 and became concerned over the fluctuations of the oil pressure guage.
On a haulier friend's advice, I telephoned the large Mercedes garage on the AS at Colindale, Edgware, and spoke to someone called Chris, I presume the workshop foreman, who offered, if I should pass that way, to look at the vehicle and give an opinion on the possible trouble.
I called in, unexpectedly, today, in pouring rain, and I was seen straight away by the said Chris, who explained the usual pressures and possible causes of low readings. He then gave me an old switch from an engine being sent for reconditioning, wished me well and invited me, should there be any further problems, to call him.
I consider, that given he has never seen me before, and I had not given the garage any previous custom, that the treatment I received was firstclass and would recommend the garage to anyone running Mercedes, as one of the best in the country.
With men like the ones at Colindale, small wonder that Mercedes can increase its share of the British market in commercial vehicles.
Needless to say, should I require any parts or service for the Merc this garage will be favoured whenever possible, even given the distance is greater than another dealer of the same marque.
As a matter of interest, I also run a Ford and a SeddonAtkinson, and both have dealers within 10 miles of me, parts are easily obtained, service is good, and it was only because I couldn't find a second-hand vehicle of British make with the bodywork I wanted, that I turned to a "foreigner".
Should Mercedes appoint further garages nearer to myself, the next new vehicle might well also be a Mere, for I consider service and "off shelf" availability of spares influence new vehicles sales to a great extent, however much reliability they are supposed to have.
One last note, great publication Commercial Motor, it contains at times some very interesting reading (Asquith Motor Co, for example). As an owner-driver my reading time is limited to odd half hours in an evening between bodywork repairs, etc. I would like to see a Problem Page, together with answers, for some of the less common mechanical faults found on vehicles, also how to placate wives while we ownerdrivers spend all weekends, etc, working on our beloved motors! A. R. GOSS Sandy Bedfordshire