DJ Matthews Ltd MOT, Service & Repair Centre - Didcot

Michael M.

Caution: (Beware of false diagnostics, leading to excessive & unnecessary repair bills.) All of this information is highly necessary to explain the devastating experience I had here; being told falsely that my head gasket had gone when in fact there was nothing wrong with my head gasket. This was verified later by another auto repair company after this ordeal. Read in full.

I took my car in to DJMatthews for a routine MOT & Full Service with the car running perfectly. The garage advised that a new coolant cap was fitted free of charge during the MOT, no other work was required and that the car was good to go, as expected.

I drove only a mile up the road and all of a sudden the car over heated under significant pressure. I brought the car back and was advised that it was air trapped in the system. The spilled coolant from the engine was cleaned and I was told that the trapped air would relieve itself. The overheating that had just occurred was not addressed, nor my concern for the potential engine damage, due to it. As I drove away from the car park a loud bubbling could be heard by all, which was coming from the engine, to which I immediately stopped and was told to leave the car with them over night. I left the car with DJMathews and I was assured that they would resolve the issue.

From this point, I had several visits over the course of a week in which DJMatthews attempted to rectify the problems that they had caused only for them to tell me that my head gasket was now leaking and failing. I was told that as a final attempt to resolve, they would attempt tighten the header screws (an unusual practice) and would introduce engine sealant but that this temporary measure would still require the head gasket to be replaced at significant cost.

Having attempted to drive away from the garage following this advised temporary fix, within 3miles the engine once again, to my complete dismay, over heated under significant pressure!! The attending AA officer advised me at the scene of the break down that this had been caused by a radiator bleed screw that had been sheered off and that the engine sealant which had been introduced in to the coolant system had coagulated, making the car undrivable.

Upon contacting the Garage with this information, Dj Mathews then refused to acknowledge that there actions had lead to this situation and continued to advise head gasket problems existed.

I subsequently got a reputable mobile mechanic to both clean and flush through the coolant system, replace the bleed screw and test the head gasket. His thorough checks confirmed that NO gasket problems or leakages were detected. Two years later, there have still been zero problems with the head gasket!!

Take from this what you want and beware of false diagnostics and excessive repair estimates based on this garage’s diagnostics. My car went into this garage without a problem, running perfectly, and came away almost written off. Make of this what you will.
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UPDATE: Over 2 years on and still have there been ZERO problems with the head gasket!! Take from this what you will and be highly cautious of false diagnostics, leading to excessive and completely unnecessary repair bills.

Jasmin B.

Got my MOT processed here as they offered a collect and delivery service for a bargain price ( I am a resident of Didcot ) and the service I received was amazing, I spoke to 4 separate people for various things, car collection, payment, repairs and booking and each person was so helpful and happy. Dave who spoke to be about the repairs was sincere and approachable explaining everything with good humour. I couldn't recommend them enough 🙂 thank you

Helen R.

Just wanted to say a big thank you for the repairs to my car and it is now starting up so well that it is like having a new car!!
Your customer service was fantastic and going the extra mile on returning the car to me all clean, was very much appreciated and added to the feeling of getting a new and improved car back.
So to all involved, from the mechanic to the admin team and even the very cheerful and polite chaps that picked up and dropped off the car, may I say a very big THANK YOU to you all.

james

DJ Mathews service all of our company vehicles now instead of using main dealers, they have also recently undertaken work on my personal car instead of using Audi at a substantially reduced cost for general maintenance items.
All the staff are very professional, knowledgeable, polite and accommodating.
They have squeezed us in to help with urgent repairs required when they are especially busy working late to get us back on the road demonstrating the importance of customer service.

Antoaneta D. (.

Excellent service received on the spot by technicians from DJ Matthews.
Without knowing they helped an NHS staff which had a flat tyre. I cannot thank them enough, excellent customer service and I received a service with a smile. Highly recommended 🤝 🤩

Sam M.

Popped in as I was having some problems with a car I had just bought and Lee took the time to talk me through what could be the issues and advised on some clear and simple options and advice. Top top service here and clearly a team that are passionate about doing the right thing. Have also used the garage previously for MOTs and would give 10/10 for service, reliability and works carried out.

David L.

Having had problems with my previous garage of 12 years on what I thought were wrong diagnoses of my problem which was backed by the AA.
I was then recommended by a friend that used DJ Mathews Ltd as being an excellent garage. My experience that having talked to a member of staff on the telephone was the excellent way that he described what the problem may be plain English. I made an appointment for the following week they collected the car surveyed it for problems, made a decision, called me back explain what was required they gave me a quote to which I agreed. The job was completed to a very high standard. Thank for such good customer service. I shall return for MOTs and servicing.

N G.

I booked in for a sensor change (following a breakdown and RAC diagnostic) they didn’t do it, also didn’t say they hadn’t. When I asked the receptionist she was surprisingly rude.
They quoted 4 hrs work, Povell Mechanics did it in 45 mins.
I can’t recommend DJ Matthews.
I do recommend Povall Mechanics.