To celebrate its impressive achievements in 2024, Leominster’s Oldfields Garage recently welcomed Ellie Chowns, Green Party MP for North Herefordshire, to its workshop.
The visit in December came as Oldfields Garage secured several prestigious industry and local awards during 2024. It also gave Managing Director Tim Benson, an opportunity to discuss the current challenges in the automotive industry with the MP.
“I visited Oldfields Garage as part of Small Business Saturday, a programme of visits to celebrate and support local enterprises,” commented Chowns. ‘Independent businesses like Oldfields Garage are vital to fostering a thriving community, and I was proud to meet with Tim to discuss the achievements of the garage and his concerns for the industry.
“Oldfields Garage has built an excellent reputation in Leominster, and in recent months, they’ve been honoured with several awards, including Apprentice Employer of the Year. They’ve also made headlines for having the youngest EV-qualified apprentice in the country. These are achievements that truly deserve recognition.”
Issues raised to Ellie Chowns
One of the issues raised by Benson was the urgent need to review the MOT test fee. Set in 2010 at £54.85, the current fee no longer reflects the economic pressures facing independent garages.
“Taking inflation into account, the fee should be adjusted to £82.79 to ensure garages are fairly compensated for the vital service they provide,” explained Benson. “Beyond financial fairness, an updated MOT fee is essential for maintaining roadworthy vehicles and meeting environmental standards, especially with new testing requirements, such as particulate matter checks, coming into play.”
Benson also called for industry regulation similar to the Gas Safe Register, which mandates strict standards for gas engineers. He highlighted the risks posed by the lack of formal qualifications for those working on vehicles, with anyone currently able to open a garage and perform repairs without proper training.
Another key issue raised was the growing challenge of attracting young talent into the automotive sector. He pointed out how outdated perceptions and insufficient vocational training in schools are contributing to the skills shortage.
“The industry is often seen as a low-skill career, which discourages many from considering it as a viable and rewarding profession,” added Benson. “With rapid technological advancements, particularly in electric vehicles, the need for specialised, ongoing training has never been more critical. To tackle the shortage, we must reshape perceptions and promote apprenticeships to ensure the future of our businesses.”
Success for Oldfields Garage
In the past year, the family-run Oldfields Garage has earned major accolades, including being named Garage of the Year at the 2024 CAT Awards, and at the 2024 British Independent Garage of the Year Awards.
“We are proud to be part of this community and grateful to Ellie Chowns MP for taking the time to listen to the issues that are impacting the automotive sector,” said Benson. “Independent garages like ours are crucial to the local economy, but we face significant challenges that threaten our long-term sustainability. It was great to have the opportunity to highlight these concerns.”
