Aftermarket March 2023

R obert Cockings Motor Repairs is a long- established business based on an industrial estate on the edge of Yeovil. The workshop has eight vehicle lifts including an MOT bay, and a wheel alignment bay. In a nice example of symmetry, the garage currently also has eight staff, as owner Tom Cockings explained: “We have five technicians, including myself, one apprentice and two in front-of-house. We are looking to advertise for an additional technician next month.” Tom continued: “We work on German vehicles mostly, with the occasional non-German vehicle, if they come in. We specialise in the German stuff because it's where we've invested our money into tooling, expertise and information. We look after a wide cross-section of the local community in and around the town. We also get some special cars, coming in from good distances. They come in to have great work done to a high standard and those customers really appreciate it. “I started coming in as a child with dad, helping him out on a Saturday morning. Much later I went to Swansea University for a degree in motor sports engineering, but I took a gap year working for dad and I never went back – 56 AFTERMARKET MARCH 2023 GARAGE VISIT www.aftermarketonline.net Aftermarket visits Somerset to see the team at Top Garage 2022 winners Robert Cockings Motor Repairs I’m still on my gap year.” On his function within the business Tom observed: “I'd say I'm 50% on the tools at the moment. I do a lot of the diagnostic work and troubleshooting. I do have to obviously run the business and make sure people are happy.” Above: Tom Cockings YEOVIL HEROES