About RJR Car & Commercial
A Family-Run Garage Built on Trust, Resilience & Care
For years we’ve been helping motorists, families and local businesses across South and West Wales with honest advice, quality workmanship and the kind of personal service that only a family-run garage can provide.
Our Story
More Than a Garage. A Family Legacy.
RJR Car & Commercial is a family-run business built on resilience, dedication and a commitment to carrying forward a very special vision.
RJR originally stood for Richard and Jill Rees.
Richard was the original founder of RJR. He qualified as a mechanic with the RAF. He had 40 years’ experience as a mechanic. His RAF training was intensive with a heavy emphasis on standards and integrity. Jill trained and worked as a Biomedical Scientist in the NHS, based at Glangwili Hospital Carmarthen for 40 years. Together, they had a vision to build a garage business based on those standards in tandem with their core values of kindness and transparency. In Richard’s own words “there will be none of that chin rubbing, sucking air through teeth malarkey here. We will be different”.
In August 2016, he and his wife Jill acquired Carling Commercials and launched RJR in November. The plan was for Jill to work behind the scenes managing the admin aspects of the business while still working for the NHS. Sadly, a major health problem was diagnosed before the launch date. Richard was given the option of pulling out of but decided to carry on, wanting to leave a legacy for himself and his family. As Jill describes it “Richard’s tenacity and love of life was only ever matched by his kindness and dedication to family” He passed away in 2018.
After Richard’s passing, their son Rob and Jill stood outside the garage looking up at the sign above the bays. When Jill asked Rob “What on Earth do we do with a garage?” he replied “Mum, we have one the best mechanics in Carmarthenshire, a brilliant MOT Tester and a growing reputation that most places would kill for. Shall we build on Dad’s legacy, stick to those standards and give it a go ourselves?”
Built with Heart
A business shaped by family, determination and a deeply personal reason for continuing the journey.
Honest Service
Clear advice, straightforward communication and no unnecessary work.
Family Values
A friendly, approachable garage where customers are treated as people, not numbers.
Our Journey
From a Family Vision to an Award-Winning Garage
The full dates and details can be updated once Jill provides the finished story. For now, these milestones show how the RJR journey can be presented.
The Beginning
RICHARD’S VISION FOR RJR
RJR originally stood for Richard and Jill Rees. Drawing on Richard’s RAF training and 40 years of mechanical experience, they envisioned a garage built on high standards, integrity, kindness and complete transparency.
The Launch
RJR IS LAUNCHED
Richard and Jill acquired Carling Commercials in August 2016 and launched RJR that November. Despite receiving a serious health diagnosis before opening, Richard chose to continue and create a lasting legacy for his family..
A FAMILY DECISION
JILL AND ROB CARRY THE VISION FORWARD
After Richard passed away in 2018, Jill and Rob chose to build on everything he had started — preserving his standards, supporting the established team and continuing to grow the garage as a family business.
Growing the Business
Investing for the Future
RJR has continually invested in expanding the garage, from larger MOT facilities and heavy-duty lifts for commercial vehicles to the latest diagnostic and air conditioning equipment. Listening to customers has also led to longer opening hours, making it easier for people to fit vehicle repairs around their working day.
Looking Ahead
Preparing for the Next Generation
RJR continues to invest in its people, equipment and facilities, and is currently working towards formal accreditation to service electric vehicles, ensuring the garage is ready for the future of motoring.
Meet the Family
The Family Behind RJR
RJR isn’t just a garage—it’s a family business built on trust, determination and a shared passion for looking after customers. Meet the people leading the business every day.
Owner & Admin Manager
Jill
Jill plays a central role in running RJR and ensuring every customer receives the friendly, honest service the business has become known for.
Jill runs the office and admin side of the business. Jill’s previous career was mostly behind closed doors, but today she thoroughly enjoys her front-of-house role and the friendly banter that is integral to it.
As she explains, “We have so many returning customers, and then through their recommendations, along come the rest of their family, friends, work colleagues and neighbours. We affectionately call them a new herd. It’s like an extended family.”
Jill loves to greet her customers with a simple “Hello” in their own language. Although she admits being rubbish at languages, she has recently added Polish, Romanian, Ukrainian and Bulgarian greetings, much to the surprise and delight of her customers.
Owner & Site Manager | Mechanic & MOT Tester
Rob
Rob oversees the workshop side of the business and is passionate about providing quality workmanship and keeping customers safely on the road.
Ironically, Rob never intended to be a mechanic. He studied Electrical Engineering & Electronics at college and worked as a Supervising Engineer for ERIKS Global when his father became ill.
ERIKS gave him an extended leave of absence to support his family and the business. Rob never returned, deciding instead to run the family business with Jill.
He has since returned to college and qualified as a mechanic and MOT tester. Always keen to learn new skills and working under the mentorship of Tim, he is constantly extending his repertoire.
Tim Watson
Chief Mechanic & Welder
Tim is dual trained as both a car and motorcycle mechanic and has over 40 years’ experience in the trade. He prides himself on being “old school” and loves the challenge of diagnosing vehicle problems and finding the root cause without replacing unnecessary components through trial and error.
Jill jokes, “I have spent thousands of pounds on diagnostic equipment here, but Tim’s ears, nose and backside are priceless. How does it sound, smell and feel?”
Tim’s naughty sense of humour is legendary. As one customer put it, “This place is a bargain—you pay £42.50 for a live comedy show and get a free MOT.”
Dylan James
Technician & MOT Tester
Dylan is from a farming background but always wanted to work in the motor trade. He followed his passion and trained as a technician.
He has more than 30 years’ experience in the field and has also worked as an MOT tester for the last eight years. Dylan enjoys meeting people and is a Welsh speaker.
One of his unofficial daily goals is to get to Tim’s biscuits before Tim does.
More Than Just A Garage
Giving Back to the Community That Supports Us
Looking after our community has always been just as important to us as looking after our customers. Supporting local charities, organisations and fundraising is something we’re incredibly proud to be part of.
Placeholder content will be replaced once Jill provides the final copy. This section will explain why community support is so important to RJR and highlight the organisations the garage proudly supports throughout South and West Wales.
Inside RJR
Take a Look Behind the Workshop Doors
From MOT testing and diagnostics to servicing and repairs, our workshop is equipped to look after cars, vans and commercial vehicles from across South and West Wales.
Your Local Family-Run Garage
Looking for a Garage You Can Trust?
Whether you need an MOT, servicing, diagnostics or repairs, our friendly team is here to help. Call RJR today and speak directly with the people looking after your vehicle.