Since 2009
About Hambridge AutoWorks
An independent garage and DVSA-approved MOT test station on Kiln Lane, serving Hambridge, Langport and the surrounding villages since 2009.
Dave Pether opened the garage in 2009after eleven years at a main dealer, where the monthly target for “additional work identified” was the thing that finally made him leave. The whole business is built around not doing that.
In practice it means three rules. We photograph anything we find and send it to you before we touch it. We tell you when something does not need doing yet, and roughly how long you have. And we keep the old part so you can see what came off.
It is not a sophisticated business model. It does mean that most of our work comes from people who were sent by someone else, which is cheaper than advertising and considerably more pleasant.
We are not the cheapest garage in Somerset and we do not try to be. A £45 MOT is under the DVSA cap because a legal test is not where a garage should make money. A cambelt is £389 because doing it properly takes six hours and the wrong part destroys the engine.
Our team
Our team who will work on your car
Dave Pether
Owner, MOT tester · here since 2009
Served his apprenticeship at a Ford main dealer in Yeovil, left after eleven years because he was tired of being told what to sell people. Nominated tester for the station.
Marek Zieliński
Senior technician, diagnostics · here since 2013
The one who finds the electrical faults nobody else can. IMI Level 3 in hybrid and electric vehicle repair, and the reason we take EV work at all.
Ellie Hart
Technician, MOT tester · here since 2018
Came through the apprenticeship here and qualified as a tester in 2022. Does most of the Saturday morning tests.
Sue Pether
Office and parts · here since 2009
Answers the phone, orders the parts, and is the reason anyone knows where anything is. If you have rung us, you have spoken to Sue.
Approvals and cover
Our approvals
The approvals and insurance we hold, and who audits them.
- DVSA-approved test station
- Station VTS-PENDING, authorised for Class 4 and Class 7. Audited by DVSA, and our testers sit annual assessment to keep their status.
- IMI-qualified for high voltage
- Level 3 electric and hybrid vehicle repair. Required to isolate a traction battery legally, and most independents do not have it.
- Waste carrier licensed
- Oil, coolant, filters, tyres and batteries leave here through a licensed route. Registered with the Environment Agency.
- Public liability and motor trade cover
- £5m public liability and full motor trade road risk. Your car is insured while it is with us, including on road test.