Are there any members in the Chelmsford, Essex area? Looking for recommendations of garges other then the local Skoda repair centre

Are there any other members in the Chelmsford, Essex area who don't take their cars to the local service agent in Writtle? I'm finding that their prices are getting a bit much now, for example, my heater fan has recently failed and my car has the start/stop system, DSG and also the solar sunroof which apparently requires a special blower fan and was I quoted £391 for the blower and almost another £100 to fit it.

I have done some homework and discovered that the blower this car is available from several online sources I ordered one from a company in Germany for Just £148 delivered and by reading reports from others who have changed their own blower fans this is anything between a 5 minute to 15 minute job and does not require any tools. The blower is new unit and has a 2 year warranty and is quite possibly the same unit that the authorised service would source and fit, if this so then their mark up is excessive and being a retired gentleman, I need to reduce my bills or get rid of the car, which is now outside of the warranty and is almost 6 years old.

Please don't assume that I'm dissatisfied with the level of service on offer from my local authorised service agent, they have always been very good to me and the car is in good hands, this is purely down to tight finances and nothing else.

So can any members offer alternative servicing arrangements that they have tried and found to be reliable and reasonably priced at all in my area?

Edited 18 June, 20197 yr by Graham Butcher