About J Day Engineering - What Makes Us Different

1999

Established in 1999 by James Day, J Day Engineering in Henstridge Marsh, Templecombe, has become one of the most successful and fastest growing independent garages in Dorset & Somerset.

2003

After seeing steady growth, the business moved to larger premises and increased staffing levels.

2007

To accommodate our growing customer base, we moved into our current purpose-built facility and installed 8 bays, 2 of which are MOT bays carrying out class 4 & 7 MOTs.

2010

We acquired another local MOT business allowing us to continue with our expansion programme and investment in new equipment and staff.

2015

We identified the need to have a fully stocked parts department to enable us to work more efficiently and reduce the time that obtaining the correct parts would take for routine servicing and repairs.

2016

Current & Classic opened to allow for the expansion of our in-house end-of-life vehicle recycling business.

2017

We partnered with the RAC to become an RAC Approved Garage we are proud of our long-standing relationship with them as they are a brand recognised nationally for quality and high standards.

2019

In response to our customers who found the lack of a good quality body repair facility in the area frustrating, we decided to install a fully equipped body repair shop, with our technicians having over 40 years’ experience in the industry we are now able to provide a first-class repair for all levels of damage.

Continuing with our investment strategy we were the first garage in the UK to install the Hunter Quick Check Drive and integrated Quick Tread Edge laser fully automated drive-through alignment and tyre inspection facility. This tool is free to our customers and ensures road safety can be checked in minutes.

To end this busy year, 2019 saw the complete refurbishment of our reception allowing our customers to relax in a comfortable modern waiting area with free fresh coffee and free WiFi. For our business customers, there is a comfortable area with stools and a breakfast bar. With our office’s refurbishment now complete, we can offer the use of our training facility as a private and quiet work environment.

2020

We believe in investing in the future and to meet growing local demand we installed two 22KW charging points which are free for our customers to use. Our highly qualified technicians have received the specialist training required to repair and maintain electric vehicles, ensuring that your vehicle is in the best hands and your manufacturer’s warranty is complied with.

For the first time, we entered the prestigious Motor Trader Awards for the Independent Garage of the Year which draws from all the UK independent garages and we were delighted to be shortlisted for the award on our debut entry.

2021

We have seen our restoration business gain traction with vintage Land Rovers being at the forefront.

We obtain FCA approval for our used car business to offer our customers an alternative to financing their vehicles.

Once again, we were shortlisted for the 2021 Motor Trader Awards for Independent Garage of the Year, with results at the end of November.

2022

In January we were business of the month for Trading Standards South West’s “Buy With Confidence” programme which endorses our high standards and commitment to customer service.

We decided to sign up to the 1Link platform to ease the stress for our business and fleet users to be able to use a local company for their motoring needs.

We worked with the Energy Saving Trust and the Retail Motor Industry Federation’s Independent Garage Association to allow non-main dealer companies that invest in the technology, technicians and front-of-house training to obtain the government-supported EVA scheme which they had been excluded from. We were the pilot scheme for this and were the first non-main dealer business in the UK to be awarded the accreditation paving the way for other like-minded garages.

We erected three large monolith signs on the A30 to make it easier for new customers to find us and to remind existing customers of our services.

After being shortlisted the previous two years, this year we won the prestigious award of the Independent Garage at the Motor Trader Awards in London – this accolade completes what has been an incredible year for us.

2023

This year we were honoured to be a founding sponsor of the Bryanston Greenpower Motor Racing Team. The Greenpower Challenge is part of the Greenpower Educational Trust and is a UK-based charity which sees more than 10,000 students take part each year including a growing number of international teams. By sponsoring and supporting a local school we are ensuring the skills and knowledge for future generations will be secured.

This year also saw our restoration business, Classic Days, exceed all our expectations with our Land Rover restorations now being shipped to international customers; in May, one of our restorations won the best car of the show at the South West Autoworx event.

This year we entered into a 3-year partnership with Sherborne Golf Club, offering its members our top-tier service at preferential rates. Our commitment to supporting and strengthening ties with local businesses is important to us.

We were again shortlisted for the Motor Trader Award for the Independent Garage of the Year 2023 and in November at the ceremony in London, we won for the second consecutive year, a great achievement!

2024

This year marks the significant milestone of 25 years of business.

Our experience over the last quarter of a century has allowed us to identify and unlock the importance of relationships in the industry. We now invest in acquiring and nurturing our suppliers and customers alike.

We are developing a dedicated LCV and Motorhome centre to provide increased support to our commercial and leisure customers. We enjoy premises that are large enough to accommodate these big vehicles.

A raft of new alliances have been formed including becoming a partner with Drive Green to provide EV servicing and repairs for their members

We have also secured new contracts with major fleet management companies. Our focus will now be improving the products and services we offer allied to an improved customer experience.

We’re also proud that 2024 marks our third consecutive year of winning the Motor Trade Industry Award for Best Independent Garage.

We have also been approved for another 2 years by the EVA.

If you have any questions about what we do at J Day Engineering or would like to book your vehicle in, give our team a call on 01963 364432 or contact us online.

Contact Us Online »