I must share my recent experience regarding a local garage where I had extensive repairs carried out on my car.

I drive a Ford Mondeo. It had failed its MOT, which resulted in a long list of repairs and advice being issued by the MOT provider.

I had been recommended a mechanic who owns D&M Motor Company, based in Quarry Road, Newhaven. Off I went, while my husband was at work, to find the best price for the job.

After trying a couple of garages, I ended up talking at great length to Dave, the owner of D&M Motors. He informed me of the prices per item and we ran through the list together.

After arriving home and discussing my findings with my husband, we both settled on D&M Motors because I had felt reassured and came away knowing the repairs listed would be done for a competitive price.

The car was booked last Wednesday and, true to his word, Dave telephoned my mobile several times to discuss other repairs that had become apparent from the stripping down of my brakes.

I gave the go-ahead for these extra bits to be done and he did the job. I collected my car on Thursday lunchtime and was more than impressed when he talked me through the repairs and showed me the parts he had replaced.

Not only that, he gave me the option of taking them home to show my husband.

The bill was even cheaper than he had quoted - very impressive, given he had actually carried out further repairs, so increasing the costs.

He could have easily charged me the quoted price.

I would like to thank Dave at D&M Motors for giving first-class service to a woman who knows absolutely nothing about the workings of a car engine.

There are still a few garages that won't charge the Earth, frighten women drivers or take advantage of our lack of knowledge.

-Mrs Tania Buss, Hanson Road, Newhaven