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SM

Southbourne Motor Centre

4.4(102 reviews)See reviews ↓·Bournemouth

What customers say

Based on genuine customer reviews

Pokesdown drivers have kept returning to this workshop for years, with several describing repeat visits over more than a decade and one recalling around three decades of custom. The theme that surfaces most is straightforward dealing: customers report being told which repairs are essential and which can safely wait, with no pressure to approve extra work and a sense that overcharging is not a concern. MOT testing features often in accounts, alongside general repairs such as replacement tyres and a front wheel bearing, and reviewers remember quotes given beforehand being matched or bettered, with one bill coming in below the estimate.

Turnaround is repeatedly described as quick, including a car sorted within a couple of days, and the team is credited with fitting work in at short notice. Paul is named often, praised for his helpfulness and knowledge, with the front desk staff and the wider workforce also mentioned warmly. The standard of finished work, the detail given to each vehicle, and the clear updates on its condition come up across accounts, as does fair pricing, so that cars are kept in sound order through long-term ownership.

Vehicle inspection service

Reviews

Reviews are taken from publicly available sources.

MK
Mark Kilpatrick17 March 2026

First class service as always from Southbourne Motor Centre. Really appreciated their care and attention to detail. Always keeping me up to date with clear information about what my car needs & its current condition. Really good guys on the front desk too, delighted it’s my local motor centre.

TR
Tracey Redding28 February 2026

Very different & quirky. Lovely people. Good prices. Paul was amazing. Xx

DT
Daryl Trappitt8 January 2026

Very happy, Paul got me out of a problem with our car very quickly and reasonably priced

GP
Greta Petrauskiene12 December 2025

Highly not recommended garage for MOT — unqualified people work there. When a young woman came for her MOT, the car failed and she was told to pay £480 because the car was supposedly completely unroadworthy. When we said we would take it to another garage, they insisted it was dangerous to drive!!! We took the car, brought it to another service, and after an inspection we were told there was absolutely nothing wrong with it. We then went to a different MOT centre and the car passed. A scam like no other — they thought they could trick a young student, but SCAMMERS, REMEMBER: CHILDREN HAVE PARENTS WHO ARE NOT SO EASY TO FOOL.

PH
Piers Hamersley15 November 2024

I highly recommend this garage. Everything was perfect. Knowledgeable, quick and friendly. I will definitely return for any work on my car. 5 Star Service.

CT
clare thornley12 December 2023

Paul was very helpful as always and so reasonable in price. Have no hesitation in using again in fact we will be booking in our other car for it's MOT in January.

FA
Frazer Anderson12 October 2023

Highly recommended. I've taken my suv there for 3 years running and I will continue to do so. They've always been honest about the work that needs to be done and what can wait. I've never felt pressured into buying more than I have to and they've always had a quick turn around.

Garages & MOT centres in Bournemouth compared

Ordered by rating, weighted by the number of reviews — businesses with only a handful of reviews do not jump to the top automatically. 4 businesses in this category in Bournemouth are compared.

RankProviderRatingReviewsOpen Sat.
1Motor-Vation Garage Bournemouth★ 4,7118Yes
2Bournemouth Autocentre Ltd★ 4,563No
3Kinson MOT Centre★ 4,5126Yes
4Southbourne Motor Centre (this page)★ 4,4102No
Contact
+441202431450southbourne-motor-centre.co.uk8 Dean's Rd, Pokesdown, Bournemouth BH5 2DA
Working hours
Monday09:00–18:00
Tuesday09:00–18:00
Wednesday09:00–18:00
Thursday09:00–18:00
Friday09:00–18:00
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed