MOTEST Farnham has launched a new specialist Jaguar and Land Rover service, re-employing staff and equipment from the recently closed Swain and Jones dealership in East Street.

Swain and Jones’ 107 year association with Farnham came to an abrupt end this month after Jaguar Land Rover decided against renewing the dealership’s long-standing franchise agreement.

But customers of the dealership can still get their Jaguars and Land Rovers serviced and repaired in Farnham after Motest struck a deal to take on Swain and Jones’ skilled technicians and specialist tools, parts and other equipment.

“The link between Motest and Swain and Jones has always been very strong,” said Motest managing director John Ball.

“Our workshops used to be part of the Swain and Jones operation, and we have undertaken more than 5,000 Jaguar and Land Rover MOTs for Swain and Jones’ customers since opening in 2009.

“So when [Swain and Jones’ chairman] Peter Lewis-Jones told me about the situation with Jaguar Land Rover, it was an easy decision for us to take on their service and repairs unit.

“We’ve spoken to a lot of Swain and Jones’ loyal customers and, as well as some anger at Jaguar Land Rover, they are delighted that there is still going to be a service centre in Farnham.

“Our workshop is littered with Jaguars and Land Rovers at the moment and clearly the demand is there. Our objective is to meet that demand and do it with a very strong customer service ethos.”

Motest has employed eight Swain and Jones mechanics in total, ensuring continuity for the dealership’s customers who want the same Jaguar and Land Rover-trained technicians to continue servicing and repairing their cars.

These include the joint first place Land Rover technician of the year and fourth place Jaguar technician of the year, as judged across all Jaguar Land Rover dealers across the UK.

John continued: “Apart from warranty work, everything a Jaguar or Land Rover dealer can do, we can do. We’ve taken all the parts, equipment and software systems from Swain and Jones, and now have the specialist skills too.

“I am supremely confident that if there is anyone in the Farnham area with a Jaguar or Land Rover, we could fix it a lot quicker and cheaper than a main dealer.”