VISAR Garage

Sadly I am unable to leave a 0 or negative star rating. It is difficult to put our experience with this garage in to words, but without exaggeration, we had the worst possible customer experience we have ever had in our lives, with VISAR garage in Sowerby, Thirsk.

This company was an approved fitter for a well known online tyre retailer up until a couple of weeks ago, and in the wake of the diabolic service we received, they have had their status revoked.

Mistakes happen, but for ALL FOUR of my car's brand new alloy wheels to have sustained such damage, which includes, but is not limited to: chips, cracks and chunks of alloy missing, this shows the level of incompetence we have had to deal with, and it shows that you too could be exposed to such terrible workmanship and aftercare if you made the awful mistake, as we did, of allowing these guys near your car.

When we approached the garage and gave them the chance to make things right, we were sworn and shouted at, talked over and told explicitly, by the owners of VISAR, that they accepted no liability and that the damage in the centres of the wheels (but nowhere else), was as a result of pothole damage. We had driven a grand total of 200m to the supermarket across the road before we noticed the true state of the wheels, they had tried to mask the damage by smearing excessive amounts of tyre soap on the wheels!

It was a totally ludicrous and embarrassing suggestion that this level of damage could be caused within 10 mins of leaving the garage, and anyone with even an ounce of intelligence can see that this was not caused by misuse or even fair wear and tear. VISAR knew they had screwed up, and instead of coming clean, they were immediately on the defensive, before we could even fully voice our complaint!

The wheels were handed to the garage in their full retail packaging having already had a full inspection when I received them from the automotive retailer that supplied them.

The pictures show the state of the wheels after VISAR installed them, and this damage has led to the wheels requiring full replacement.

When confronted about the damage, during a 15 minute long argument with the garage owners (this was video recorded by my girlfriend) one of the garage owners said that the wheels were unsafe to drive away on, HAVING ALREADY LET ME DRIVE AWAY! They had hoped we would have made it home without noticing the damage, or that we were perhaps partially sighted.

Thanks to trading standards, Citizens advice, North Yorkshire police who have been informed about the incident, and the company that supplied the tyres (NOT VISAR!), I have been able to purchase new wheels and will be using an honest mechanic to have them installed.

Incredibly disappointed with you VISAR, my complaint should have been resolved there and then, with professionalism and decency.

Top service as usual from the good folks at VISAR Garage. Just had my Jag MOT'd here whilst I waited. I have all my vehicles MOT'd here, mopeds, motorbikes and the cars. I wouldn't go anywhere else and recommend them highly.

Had my car here twice now.

1st for timing belt and water pump replacement. Good price and quick service.

2nd for an emergency throttle body replacement. 1 hr and 10 minutes they had the car. Part replaced and fully functional again ready to get me to work.

Cannot rate highly enough.

Highly recommended.

I hit a piece of debris on the road which punctured my front driver's side tyre while on holiday with my family. I called VISAR who were able to help immediately and replaced the tyre within 25 minutes, allowing us to get back on the road.

Professional, courteous, and excellent value for money - thank you again.

Took my car in for MOT, all ready on time! They were very helpful in repairing a puncture found during the inspection immediately even though it was lunchtime. Great service, highly recommended and thanks again.

Don't believe everything you read about helping you out. I had an identical problem with a flat tyre, and a grumpy guy on reception flat refused to offer any help or advice at all.

We moved to Thirsk recently and had to find a local garage and have found Visar a really accommodating garage, we had our MOT service done today and it was a prompt service with really friendly and helpful staff from Abbie on the front desk to the guys in the back.
Would highly recommend Visar Garage. Pete & Cath

My car went in for full service and MOT - all of which was done swiftly - but a new brake pump was also required. The part had to be back ordered which, understandably took a little extra time, but then was lost for 2 weeks by the Vauxhall warehouse with nothing clear from them on when it might show up (until they admitted it was lost).
As I had been without my car for a while by then (fortunately had been able to use the Visar courtesy car for occasional vital drives) Andy at Visar took action and drove to Liverpool and back that evening to get what was needed. I had my car the next day. I am impressed that he took this extra time and effort to help me get back on the road. Great customer service from the friendly team there. Thanks so much Helen