By RPM Autocare, Newton Abbot · Published 26 October 2026
Choosing a garage is a trust decision. Most of us cannot see what is wrong under the bonnet, so we rely on the person doing the work to be straight with us. Around Newton Abbot, Torbay and South Devon there are plenty of garages to choose from, and the best one for you depends on your car and what you need. This guide is a practical checklist, and we have been open about where RPM Autocare fits.
1. Look for clear, upfront quotes
A good garage tells you what the job will cost before it starts, and calls you if something changes. Be cautious of vague answers, or of garages unwilling to discuss cost until after the work. Ask whether the quote includes parts and labour, and whether VAT applies. You should never be surprised by the bill.
2. Check that they explain things
You should come away understanding what was wrong, what has been done and what can wait. Good signs include being shown the worn part, a plain explanation without jargon, and being told which items are urgent and which are not. If a garage says something is fine, that is useful too.
3. Read reviews properly
Star ratings are a starting point. The detail matters more. Look for reviews that describe a specific job, mention communication, and say whether the final price matched the quote. Look across more than one place, such as Google, Facebook and booking sites. You can read some of ours on our reviews page.
4. Think about specialisms
Any competent garage can do routine servicing, but some jobs benefit from familiarity with a particular make or engine. For example, wet timing belts on Ford 1.0 EcoBoost and Peugeot, Citroën, DS and Vauxhall 1.2 PureTech engines need specific procedures, including checking and cleaning the oil system. VW-group cars share many parts and have well-known faults that someone who has worked on them regularly will recognise.
Russ at RPM Autocare is VW and Ford main dealer trained, with 11 years of Volkswagen dealership training, and works on all makes and models. See our VW-group and Ford specialist page for more. We are an independent garage and are not affiliated with or approved by any manufacturer.
5. Ask about warranty on the work
Ask what guarantee covers the repair. At RPM Autocare, all work is carried out with warranty on parts and labour.
6. Find out about MOTs
If you want an MOT, ask how it is handled. Some garages test in-house and some do not. We do not carry out MOT tests ourselves, but we can arrange one for you alongside a service. It is better to know that when booking than to find out on the day.
7. Will it affect my manufacturer warranty?
An independent garage will not affect your manufacturer warranty as long as the service follows the manufacturer's schedule and uses parts and oils of matching quality. UK competition rules let you choose where your car is serviced. If in doubt, check your warranty terms.
8. Consider convenience
- Location. Are they somewhere easy for you to reach? We are on Milber Trading Estate in Newton Abbot, which suits customers from Kingsteignton, Kingskerswell, Teignmouth, Bovey Tracey and Ipplepen, and from Torquay and Paignton across the Torbay area.
- Lead time. How soon can they fit you in? We can normally get you booked in within 2 days for servicing and repairs.
- Staying mobile. Ask about courtesy cars. Ours is a Fiat 500, subject to availability; see our courtesy car page for how it works.
- Booking. Is it easy to book and to get hold of someone? You can reach us by phone, WhatsApp, email or online.
9. Does one garage cover everything?
If your car needs both mechanical and bodywork repairs, having both under one roof saves time. At RPM Autocare, Russ looks after servicing, repairs and diagnostics, while Mark handles bodywork, welding and paint in our own spray booth. We are a father-and-son business, so you talk to the people doing the job.
10. Trust your instincts
Does the garage answer your questions patiently? Do they pressure you into work? Do they tell you when something can wait? The right garage is usually obvious from how they treat a small job.
Questions worth asking
- Can I have a quote before any work starts?
- Will you call me if you find something else?
- Do you fit parts of a quality matching the original?
- What warranty do you give on parts and labour?
- Who will actually be working on my car?
- Can I see the old parts?
Our approach
We give you a price before we start, and we call you before doing anything extra. Nothing extra gets done without your say-so. We use quality parts, for example OE matching quality Pagid parts for brakes, and manufacturer-approved oils for servicing. You can read about how we work on our about page, see our range of services, or find out about car servicing in Newton Abbot.
Choosing a garage is personal, so feel free to compare. When you are ready to talk, contact us or book in, and we will tell you honestly what your car needs.
Related services: Servicing · Repairs · VW-group & Ford specialist · Courtesy car
Book it in or ask Russ
Book in, send us a message, or call Russ. We can normally get you booked in within 2 days.