About Us

McDonald Automotive

Our business is run by Rupert & Jo Astbury,
and covers Cheshire, Shropshire, Mid and North Wales.

We began in 2001 as a small vehicle parts business serving the local area – and soon gained a reputation for being helpful, knowledgeable and cost effective. Success meant that by 2002, we had outgrown our premises and moved to our current 11,000 sq ft unit – and built our workshop facilities to run alongside the parts operation. Ever watchful of what our customers want, 2008 saw the start of our online parts shop and then our newly built MOT unit.

OUR TEAM

Rupert

Role: Managing Director and Owner

Time at McDonald Automotive: 18 years

Day to Day: There’s no typical day – I can find myself doing everything from dealing with parts for the workshop, packing up parts for shipping to dealing with recoveries, redesigning and refitting areas to keep up with changing demands of the workshop, helping out any of the teams that need my input, finance and projects. It’s why I love what I do.

Best part of the job: Unquestionably, it’s the people – my team, and our customers. There are customers who’ve become friends that have been with us since we bought the business 18 years ago. I enjoy being able to provide solutions to new customers who’ve been disappointed elsewhere.

What do you do when you’re not here? I let off steam by doing Land Rover Comp Safaris with my wife, building a model traction engine, and keeping vintage tractors for showing. It has to be said that these things fit around being dad to 2 boys – I don’t do down time!

First car: A Land Rover Series 3 that I bought as scrap before I could drive, which I did up during my teenage years.

Harry

Role: Workshop Manager

Time at McDonald Automotive: A Few Months

Day to Day: Planning for and running the 6-man workshop – everything from booking in and distributing jobs, to preparing all the paperwork and liaising with clients. I work closely with Tim in the Parts team. I keep up to date on all technical bulletins in the industry, arrange staff training, and deal with the Health & Safety issues. Also I deal with the general repair jobs, servicing and MOTs, and schedule future work for brake checks etc – anything to make our customers’ lives easier! New technology that we have now means we now spend more time on Re-Mapping, gearbox flushing, injector & DPF cleaning: our equipment makes life easier for us, as well as cheaper and more time effective for vehicle owners.

Best part of the job: Giving vehicles back to satisfied customers – the majority tell us how happy they are with our level of service, which is a great boost to me and the team.

What do you do when you’re not here?

First car:

Tim

Role: Parts Manager

Time at McDonald Automotive: 11 years

Day to Day: There are two elements really – sourcing parts for us here for the Workshop and the Sales team, and then organising the parts ordered directly through us, either online or over the phone. I source, order, arrange delivery, pack and – not as straightforward as it sounds – sort the postage! I keep the stock systems and pricing updates, liaise with trade suppliers, and keep all our internet sales updated. In addition I work closely with Rich and the Workshop team and pre-pick the parts they need for the jobs booked in on a daily basis.

Best part of the job: The people. Absolutely. I enjoy being the “lynch pin” supplying to the teams here, and strive to keep up the best levels of customer service, whatever the value of order that comes through us. It’s gratifying to see it working as much of our business turns into repeat business.

What do you do when you’re not here? Hill walking, camping and generally being outdoors. I did 10 years in the TA and it’s always in the back of my mind to (maybe) give it another go!

First car: A 1L Austin Metro, with particularly horrible brown interior. Those were the days.

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CALL US ON – 01691 657 705

McDonald Automotive Ltd are a credit broker and not a lender. We are Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FCA No: 722981 Finance is Subject to status. Other offers may be available but cannot be used in conjunction with this offer. We work with a number of carefully selected credit providers who may be able to offer you finance for your purchase.

Registered in England & Wales: 4222040 | Registered Office: Address:Mile Oak Industrial, Estate Maesbury Road, Oswestry, SY10 8HA | Data Protection No: ZA217517