Nothing done without your OK
We will never carry out repairs without your prior consent. You get honest advice and a clear quote first, every time.
Est 1996 Family-run on Main Road, Harwich
MOTs, servicing & repairs in Harwich.
No fuss. No surprises.
Dealer-level skills without the dealer prices. We always explain what we’ve found and quote first, and nothing is done to your car without your OK.
“Friendly, Skilled and Trustworthy, which is so important.”
- Since 1996Family-owned and run
- Licensed MOT centreClass 4, free retest
- 3 courtesy carsAsk when you book
- Free collectionWithin 5 miles of Harwich
The HMG promise
No fuss. No surprises.
Nobody likes the phone call from the garage. Ours is the one where we tell you what we’ve found, what it will cost and what we’d recommend, and then you decide. That’s how we’ve kept Harwich’s cars on the road for 30 years.
HMG 14U
HMG for you. It’s on the plate in our wall.
Dealer skills, local prices
All the skills and services of a franchised garage, without the inflated prices. Ring us for a free quotation.
Your warranty stays intact
We service to manufacturer schedules, so there’s no need to go back to the dealer to keep your new-car warranty.
We make it easy
Borrow one of our three courtesy cars, or we’ll collect and deliver your car for free within 5 miles of Harwich.
Licensed MOT test centre
Your MOT for £49, with a free retest.
We test Class 4 petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles: most cars, vans, taxis, campervans and motorhomes up to 3,000kg. If anything needs fixing, we’ll tell you before we touch it and give you a fair quote. Your retest within 10 days is free, even if you have the work done elsewhere.
- £49 Class 4 MOT test
- Free retest within 10 days
- Courtesy car or free collection at no extra charge
- Repairs quoted first, never done without your OK
Class 4 MOT
£49
+ free retest within 10 days
Not sure when it’s due? Check your MOT due date on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
What we do
Everything your car needs, under one roof.
Our qualified technicians work on all makes and models, from a quick diagnostic check to full servicing on a campervan, using a 5-tonne ramp in our Harwich workshop.
MOT testing £49
Class 4 MOTs for cars, vans, taxis, campervans and motorhomes up to 3,000kg, with a free retest within 10 days.
Book an MOTServicing
Routine and one-off servicing to manufacturer schedules, often for much less than a franchised dealer would charge.
Book a serviceRepairs
Brakes, clutches, suspension and shock absorbers, exhausts, batteries and tyres, plus laser wheel alignment and balancing.
Get a repair quoteDiagnostics
Warning light on? Computer-aided fault diagnostics for engines, gearboxes, suspension and more, with clear results.
Book a diagnostic checkAir conditioning
Testing, deep cleaning, filter replacement and regas on R134a and R1234yf systems, with leak testing.
Book an air con serviceHybrid maintenance
Servicing and repairs for mild and plug-in hybrid cars and vans, with the same care we give everything else.
Book a hybrid serviceForté Power Clean
A two-stage clean for fuel systems, turbos, air intakes and DPFs, without taking the engine apart.
How it worksWarranty work
We work with many UK warranty providers. If you have a third-party warranty, we’ll handle the paperwork for you.
Ask about warranty work
Vans, campervans & fleets
Bigger vehicle? Whole fleet? Bring it in.
Our 5-tonne ramp takes everything from small cars to light commercials and campervans, so local businesses can keep their whole fleet with one garage.
- Part of the Masterserve and 1-Link fleet networks
- Routine servicing and repairs for entire fleets
- Campervan and motorhome servicing and MOTs
Dashboard warning lights
Warning light on? Tap the one you can see.
Here’s what the most common lights usually mean, and how urgently to act. When you’re ready, we’ll find the actual fault with computer diagnostics.
Choose a warning light
Red: stop when it’s safeAmber: get it checked soon
Light not listed? Describe it when you book and we’ll track it down.
Get it checked soon
Engine management light
- What it usually means
- Your car has detected a fault in the engine or emissions system. It could be minor, such as a sensor, or something that gets worse if it’s ignored.
- What to do
- If it’s on steadily, book a diagnostic check soon. If it’s flashing, ease off, avoid hard acceleration and get it checked straight away, because a misfire can damage the catalytic converter.
An engine management light that stays on can mean an MOT fail.
General guidance only: lights and their meanings vary between makes, so check your handbook too. If a red light comes on, or you’re not sure the car is safe, stop somewhere safe and call us on 01255 241777.
How booking in works
Two minutes to book. The rest is on us.
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Book online or call
Tell us what your car needs and which day suits you. We’ll call you back to confirm a time.
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Drop off, or we collect
Bring it to 741 Main Road, borrow a courtesy car, or we’ll collect it for free within 5 miles of Harwich.
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We call before any work
If we find anything, we explain it and quote first. Nothing is done without your OK.
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Back on the road
Pick your car up, or if we collected it, we’ll drop it back to your door.
Three courtesy cars
Keep moving while we work on yours. Just ask when you book.
Free collection & delivery
Within a 5-mile radius of Harwich, so there’s no need to catch the bus.
A call before any extra work
Honest advice, a clear quote, and your decision. No fuss, no surprises.
Warranty paperwork handled
We work closely with many UK warranty providers and deal with the forms for you.
Forté Power Clean service centre
Diesel feeling tired? Clean it before you replace it.
Soot and carbon build up in every engine. Our two-stage Forté Power Clean clears contaminants and soot deposits without dismantling the engine, so it can breathe and burn fuel properly again.
- Fuel injectionCleans injectors, intake valves and the combustion chamber.
- Diesel turboTreats turbo turbines and variable vanes in place.
- Air intake & EGRClears contaminated inlet manifolds and valves.
- DPFRemoves soot and ash blocking the diesel particulate filter.
Regular cleaning means fewer bouts of limp mode, better fuel economy, fewer starting problems and no more nasty smells.
Ask about a Forté cleanReviews
Harwich drivers keep coming back.
Rated 4.8 out of 5 from 92 reviews on Google, and recommended by 100% of reviewers on Facebook.
“Fast turn around, always try to fit you in at short notice. Friendly, Skilled and Trustworthy, which is so important. Have been treated badly by garages in the past and this one is by far the best.”
“Recently damaged my car on a pothole (damaged shock absorber), called HMG first thing Monday morning and they fitted me in next day for the repair. Thanks so much for fixing it so quickly, really appreciated.”
“Had my car serviced and repaired today. It’s not just that I love using my local garage but that they always charge reasonably and do such a good job every time. I’m a very happy customer.”
“Always use this garage, excellent customer service, reasonably priced and always do an excellent job!!”
“Excellent service and friendly staff.”
Since 1996
Thirty years on Main Road, and still family-run.
HMG Vehicle Services has been looking after cars in Harwich and Dovercourt since 1996.
We’re a small, family-owned team of qualified, experienced technicians, and we’ve kept upgrading the workshop all along, from computer diagnostics to hybrid know-how and a 5-tonne ramp. You get dealer-level work from people you can actually talk to, at prices that keep you coming back.
We’d like to be the garage the whole Tendring Peninsula trusts for servicing and MOTs. You can’t miss us: look for the Mercedes bursting out of the wall.
- 1996Family-run in Harwich ever since
- 4.8★From 92 Google reviews
- 5 tonnesRamp for vans and campervans
- 3Courtesy cars to keep you moving
Good to know
Questions we’re often asked
Can’t see yours? We’re always happy to talk it through.
01255 241777Mon–Fri, 8am–5:30pm
How much is an MOT at HMG?
£49 for a Class 4 MOT, which covers most cars, vans, taxis, campervans and motorhomes up to 3,000kg. If your vehicle needs work to pass, we quote first, and the retest within 10 days is free, even if you have the repairs done elsewhere.
Will servicing with you affect my warranty?
No. You don’t have to go back to the dealer: independent garages like ours can service cars that are still under warranty, and we work to the manufacturer’s service schedule.
Do you offer courtesy cars or collection?
Yes. We have three courtesy cars, and free collection and delivery for customers within 5 miles of Harwich. Just ask when you book.
Can you service and repair hybrids?
Yes. We maintain mild and plug-in hybrids, both cars and vans, and treat the hybrid system with the same care as the rest of the vehicle.
Do you work on vans, campervans and motorhomes?
Yes. Our 5-tonne ramp takes everything from small cars to light commercial vehicles and campervans, and we MOT Class 4 vehicles up to 3,000kg.
What air conditioning systems do you work on?
Both R134a and the newer R1234yf systems. We test, deep clean, replace filters and regas, with a leak test if the system isn’t holding its gas.
Do you look after business fleets?
Yes. We’re part of the Masterserve and 1-Link networks and handle routine servicing and repairs for business fleets. We also work with many UK warranty providers and handle the paperwork for you.
When are you open?
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5:30pm. We’re closed at weekends.
Book your car in
Tell us what you need. We’ll do the rest.
Send us your details and we’ll call you back to confirm a time. Prefer to talk? Call 01255 241777.
Booking request
It takes about two minutes. Fields marked * are required.