Motorhome dealers - STJ Motors
OK, so I’m not the only one! But if you’re within reach of a leafy Woking suburb, close to the M25, there is one company which can help remove the hassle from your hobby.
Having spent a quarter of a century as a repair centre for cars, STJ Motors decided some five years ago to specialise in motorhomes, prompted by customer enquiries about servicing and habitation work.
David Gunner explained: “I was a motorhomer and I knew the frustrations. My co-director is also a motorhomer and he found the same problems. We thought there must be a better way for motorhome customers to get a better deal.” Here’s how.
Habitation servicing
The new focus on motorhomes was supported by the recruitment of additional staff coupled with extensive training in all relevant matters, including for example Thetford equipment, aircon systems and satellite dish installations. Even one of the directors went on a week’s gas course at CITO (Caravan Industry Training).Base vehicle servicing
As a Fiat Professional Dealer STJ can handle warranty and servicing work on your base vehicle. They are fully equipped to use CANbus, the electronic wiring and control system that has been standard in the Fiat Ducato and many other vehicles from 2006 onwards, and which provides service staff with the right tools for quick and easy diagnostics. Body repairs
Even a tag-axle motorhome is not big enough to dominate the spacious, high-roofed workshop, comprehensively equipped and sporting no fewer than two ovens for baking paintwork. Bodywork repairs can range from water ingress leaks, through damagingly close encounters with arboreal scenery, and right up to major accident damage.MOT
Large vehicles – which includes most coachbuilts and even some van conversions - need to go to a specialist centre for an MOT test. Depending on the age of the vehicle STJ will carry out a pre-MOT check. They then take the vehicle to the MOT test centre and bring it back with the required certificate, while charging only for the pre-MOT if required plus the standard MOT test fee.Motorhome sales
The Swift Group’s extensive Bessacar and Autocruise range covers almost any desired layout, and in David’s view represents “the Best of British”. The Hobby low profile ‘vans add both continental flavour and layout, but in concession to British proclivities – and predominant British weather, perhaps - they include ovens as part of their specification. Interestingly, however, British taste does seem to be veering towards the low profile format. Other industry trends appear to favour the lower-cost option of holidaying in the UK, and David was keen to point out that a UK holiday in a motorhome is greener than jetting off abroad.
Used vehicles are taken in part-exchange, and before being sold on they are checked, tested, fully valeted and issued with a 12-month MB&G warranty, so there is every reason to buy with confidence.
Summary
David’s claim that “there’s not much we can’t actually do” appears to be fully supported by this clean, well-established, fully-equipped, highly-trained dealership, run by motorhomers for motorhomers. When you have to arrange only one annual trip to a dealer and organise only one set of lifts to and from, you really have found a one-stop shop.Contact:
STJ Motors Ltd
STJ House, 5 Octimum Business Park, Albert Drive, Sheerwater, Woking, Surrey GU21 5SF.
Tel: 01483 722 793
Web: www.stjmotors.co.uk
- This company profile was first published in Caravan Motorhome & Camping Mart magazine.
