Motortrader Industry Awards Winner 2023

About Dayspeed: What Makes Us Different

1999
Established in 1999 by James Day, J Day Engineering Ltd 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 level.

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 class4&7 mot’s.

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 took the decision 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 breakfast bar, with our office’s refurbishment now complete we can offer the use of our training facility for those times when working in a private and quiet environment.

2020
We believe in investing in the future and to meet growing local demand we installed 2x22KW 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 for the prestigious Motor Trader Awards for the Independent Garage of the year which draws from all the UK independent garages 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 forefront.

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

Once again, we are shortlisted for the 2021 Motor Trader Awards for Independent Garage of the year, results at the end of November.

2022
In January we were business of the month for trading standards South West Buy With Confidence programme this endorses our high standards and commitment to customer service.

We took the decision to sign up to the 1 Link 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 3 large monolith signs on the A30 to make it easier for new customer to find us and to remind existing customers of our services.

After being shortlisted the previous 2 year,s this year we won the prestigious award of Best 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 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 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 Best 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 ?? 
Our goals for the next year are to create a new low carbon working area for Classic Days and our Electric Vehicle centre.

To look at our sustainability and evaluate where improvements can be made to reduce our impact on the environment. 

 

Beyond that … watch this space as there's never a dull moment at J Day!
 

Our Reception Area
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