Independent Garage · Braintree, Essex

Honest motoring.
Done properly.

Servicing, MOT failure repairs, welding, diagnostics and general repairs for cars, vans and light commercials — by experienced technicians who do the job right the first time.

All
Makes & Models
5★
Customer Rated
1 Night
Trade Sessions Weekly
Local
Braintree, Essex
Cars, vans & light commercials
Transparent pricing — no surprises
Quick turnaround
OE-quality parts as standard
What we do

Full-service workshop.
Sales · Service · Repairs.

Whatever your vehicle needs — from a routine service through to a tricky fault no one else can find — we get it sorted, properly, and explain exactly what we've done.

Quick to know

All work guaranteed and OE-quality parts as standard. We diagnose properly, quote before we touch the job, and explain exactly what we've done — so you drive away confident it's right.

Vehicle Servicing

Interim, full and major services to manufacturer schedules — protecting your warranty and your vehicle's resale value. Filters, fluids, plugs, the lot.

MOT Failure Repairs

Failed your MOT? Bring the failure sheet here. We diagnose, quote up front, fix the faults, and get your vehicle ready for re-test.

Diagnostics

Modern multi-make diagnostic equipment for engine, transmission, ABS, airbag and body fault codes. We find the cause — not just the symptom.

Welding

MIG welding for sills, subframes, exhaust mounts and structural repairs — done to a standard that satisfies an MOT inspector.

Brakes & Hydraulics

Pads, discs, callipers, master cylinders, brake fluid changes. We use OE-quality parts and never cut corners on safety-critical components.

Clutch & Gearbox

Clutch replacement, dual-mass flywheels, gearbox oil services and diagnosis of slipping, dragging and difficult gear changes.

Suspension & Steering

Shocks, springs, wishbones, ball joints, track rod ends, bushes. We'll quote you a fair price to bring the ride and handling back to standard.

Battery & Electrical

Battery test & replacement, alternator and starter motor repairs, lighting faults, intermittent electrical gremlins traced and fixed.

Exhausts

Back boxes, mid-sections, cats and DPFs supplied and fitted. Specialist welding for partial repairs where appropriate — saves you money.

Cambelt & Timing

Cambelt and waterpump replacements at manufacturer mileage intervals. Timing chain repairs and tensioner kits also available.

Cooling System

Overheating, leaks, failed water pumps, knackered thermostats and rad replacements. We diagnose properly and fix it before it costs you an engine.

General Repairs

Anything else that's broken, leaking, knocking, squeaking or just not right. If we can fix it, we will. If we can't, we'll tell you who can.

For the trade

Late-night servicing for commercial vehicles.

If you're a tradesman, a sole trader or run a small fleet, you can't afford to lose a day's earnings to put your van in the garage. So we don't ask you to.

One night a week we stay open late specifically for commercial vehicle servicing and repairs. Drop your van in after the working day, pick it up the next morning. Your tools stay in the van, your jobs don't get cancelled, and your business carries on.

  • No lost income. Service runs after your working day, not during it.
  • Tools stay loaded. Secure indoor workshop — your van's contents are safe with us.
  • Pre-booked slots. Limited spaces each session — book early to avoid disappointment.
  • Same standard. Same technicians, same quality, same transparent pricing — just at a time that suits you.
Trade Night
WednesdayExtended hours until 8:00 pm

By appointment only. Please book at least 48 hours in advance — drop off from 5:30 pm, collect the same evening or first thing the following morning.

Book a trade slot
Why GB Cars & Commercials

A proper independent garage in the heart of Essex.

No commission-driven service advisors. No upselling you parts you don't need. Just experienced technicians, OE-quality parts, and the kind of honest, old-school customer service that earns repeat business.

  • Diagnose first, fix second.

    We don't throw parts at problems. Modern diagnostic kit and the experience to interpret it.

  • Quote before we touch it.

    Written estimate before any work begins. No nasty surprises when you collect.

  • All makes, all models.

    From a Ford Fiesta to a Mercedes Sprinter — petrol, diesel, hybrid. We work on all of them.

  • Built for working people.

    Including a dedicated late-night session for tradesmen who can't afford the downtime.

How it works

Simple, transparent process.

No hard sell, no jargon. Here's exactly what happens when you book your vehicle in.

Get in touch

Call, email or use the form. Tell us what your vehicle is doing — or what service it's due.

Drop off

Bring it to the workshop at your booked time. Most jobs are same-day; longer jobs we'll quote first.

Diagnose & quote

We diagnose the actual fault, write you a clear quote, and only proceed once you've approved it.

Fixed & ready

Job done to OE standard. We explain everything we've done — and you drive away knowing it's right.

What customers say

Trusted by drivers across Essex.

A handful of recent reviews from real customers — cars, vans, commercials.

★★★★★

"Took my Transit in for a service and a knocking suspension. Diagnosed the proper fault — not just the obvious one — and the price came in under what they quoted. Genuinely couldn't ask for more."

DM
Dave M.Ford Transit · Trade customer
★★★★★

"Failed my MOT down the road on emissions and a brake pipe. GB sorted both in a day, helped me get it re-tested, and explained exactly what they'd done. Will not go anywhere else now."

SK
Sarah K.VW Golf · Braintree
★★★★★

"The late-night van service is brilliant. Drop the van in after work, back on the road in the morning, didn't lose a single job. That alone has made me a customer for life."

RT
Ryan T.Mercedes Sprinter · Plumber
Get in touch

Book your vehicle in. We'll get it sorted.

Drop us a message via the form, give us a call, or just turn up — whichever's easiest. We aim to reply to every enquiry the same working day.

Send us a message

Tell us about your vehicle and what it needs — we'll come back to you with a slot and an honest indication of cost.

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Call us
01376 000 000 Placeholder
Lines open during workshop hours. Out-of-hours? Leave a message and we'll call you back first thing.
Email
hello@gbcarscommercials.co.uk Placeholder
Replies within one working day, usually faster.
Find us
GB Cars & Commercials
G&B Finch Ltd
Batemans Farm
Chelmsford
CM3 1PU
Opening Hours
Monday8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Tuesday8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Wednesday8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Thursday8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday8:00 am – 1:00 pm
SundayClosed