JL Mini's 18 School Street, Hazel Grove, Stockport SK7 4RA

"Does the job"

"Great guys, great service. Very helpful and solid advice given"

"Avoid this company at all costs! The cylinder head gasket went on my R56 Cooper on Monday 9th September 2013 and this was confirmed by 3 independent mechanics. 1, The garage I bought it from, 2, The AA who recovered it, and 3, ScoobyTech where car was recovered to. Spoke to owner of JL Minis Chris who after a short discussion, was also advised by him it would be the head gasket also. Car was taken to JL on the Wednesday 11th September 2013 & I paid for head gasket repair service etc £470 and was told it would be done for the weekend (Saturday latest). Called them Friday am to see if Saturday was still good. Was informed that the head was sent to the engineers on Thursday and that they were waiting for it to be returned, but it was all good, a simple skimmed head and new gasket set. I called again Friday afternoon and spoke to owner Chris who told me the head had only been sent off that morning and it would now be Monday or Tuesday before it was returned??? Why lie to a customer? One whole week later car was still not done! Was now being told that there was extra damaged caused to pistons valves etc and an additional £730 was required to finish job. I questioned this and a heated conversation took place due to the attitude from owner. Was told "Come and get your car, we don't need your business" Car was still in bits, and they were keeping my £470 I had already paid. Monday am I called them again, and agreed to pay the additional costs as was pointless getting car back in bits. Was told by Chris car would be ready Wednesday pm very latest as I had a holiday booked for Thursday am. Wednesday came and I called them at 5pm, was told there was still 3 hours left on job but to come collect at 8.30pm as they were staying back to finish the job. I arrived at 8.30pm as advised and found car was still in bits, and that they were going to finish job and have it brought back to my home at 8am following morning. I paid the addition £730 costs at this point. At 8.30am I spoke to them again, to be told car wasn't ready yet again! After a very stressful 2 weeks with this company, I asked them to keep car there until my return the following week as by now, I really needed this holiday. The owner Chris said that would be fine and car would be fully repaired and valeted by my return. I returned from my Lanzarote holiday on 3rd October 2013, and Friday i went to collect to find car was still not ready... Apparently they had fitted the wrong piston rings the previous week, but failed to rectify this while I was away. (so much for being Mini Specialists) Spoke to the mechanic concerned directly and he informed me, car would be done tonight as parts were in stock (Friday 4th October) and ready for tomorrow (Saturday am 5th October)... I called them prior to setting off to collect and was yet again informed by Chris " We have not started it yet as we have to order the new correct piston rings, but we have it booked in for all day Monday /Tuesday next week but we will deliver it to you Tuesday evening" It was the Wednesday Evening (11pm YES 2300 hrs) before car was completed & delivered, 4 whole weeks & 1 day and £1200 later to do a simple head gasket repair. I am a very relaxed and chilled person, but this company got me effing and blinding and steam blowing out my ears, please avoid at all costs. They are not professionals, the mechanics are incompetant and as for customer service well... There isn't any! Even such simple tasks as returning calls, texts or voicemails IF you can actually get them to answer are far too much to expect... On the day she finally returned, I spoke with Chris the owner of JL Minis and he laughed and found it all very amusing! Very poor service."

"I purchased a second hand engine for my 07 1.4 Mini One. Very good value and arrived quickly, saved huge amounts from the BMW quote, plus they can find parts that are hard to get."