From sweeping floors to running 36 MOTs a day...

We sit down with Matthew Pestridge of D&D Autos to talk family business, garage growth, diagnostics, and why the trade’s future looks brighter than ever.

This episode is sponsored by Castrol and The Race Group. To learn more about Castrol Service, please visit: https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/home.html

00:00 – Meet Matthew from D&D Autos Alex and Nathan welcome Matthew Pestridge and introduce his family-run garage in Ashford.

01:00 – How It All Started. The story of how Matt’s dad founded D&D Autos back in 1993.

04:00 – Growing Up in the Garage. Matthew shares early memories, family roles, and what made him join the trade.

07:00 – From Apprenticeship to Ownership. How Matthew learned the ropes, from college days to running the business.

10:00 – Building a Bigger Workshop. The move to an 11,000 sq ft site during the 2008 crash — and surviving it.

17:00 – Training, Tech & Diagnostics. Why D&D Autos invest heavily in upskilling, tools, and ADAS calibration.

25:00 – Running a Family Business. How three siblings keep a large, busy garage running without fallouts.

31:00 – Recruiting & Retaining Techs. Matthew's take on hiring, training, and keeping good people in the trade.

45:00 – Plans for Expansion. Looking ahead to a second site and growing the D&D Autos brand.

58:00 – Lessons for Garage Owners. Matthew's advice on growth, teamwork, and staying hands-on with the trade.