The Van Doctor - Ford Transit Specialists

24/08/2026

WORKSHOP OWNERS! For the last year we have been developing one of the best workshop management systems on the market, and our pricing is extremely competitive.

We’ve included a lot of the features within some of the more established GMS systems, and we’ve added lots of unique features that are exclusive to iMech.

The best bit? NO CONTRACT! Stay because the system is good, not because you’re trapped.

Being a workshop owner, I understand the importance of flow, ease of use… and the ability to easily record vehicle defects at the click of a button. But I also understand the cost of running a workshop, and how much other systems are charging per month… and it really doesn’t have to be so expensive.

We will soon be available on IOS and Android App stores, which will be able to notify Technicians of work.

Between the team of the developers and myself, this system has taken thousands of hours to perfect, and as we speak.. we are currently beta testing.

If you’re interested in having your workshop running smoother, and improving productivity and customer experience… give iMech a follow, and when we launch (VERY SOON), you will be notified.

User-friendly. Built for workshops, BY workshops.

We’re putting in the hours to perfect a iMech - a garage management system designed around the realities of running a busy independent workshop.

Less paperwork. Less admin. Less time managing systems.
More time doing what you do best — repairing vehicles and running your workshop.

Built by a busy workshop owner and a team of developers, iMech is designed to be simple, powerful and easy to use from day one.

NO CONTRACT. No unnecessary complexity. Just a smarter way to run your workshop.

www.i-mech.co.uk

28/07/2026

We had a job come back 🫠

We have repaired hundreds of Transits for BCM water ingress, this is the first ever BCM come-back.

Techs - what do you think?

18/07/2026

Happy Birthday to Lee! 🎉 🎈

Lee has one of those memories where he can’t remember yesterday, but will remember a conversation you had with him 5 years ago, and could recite every word - and every detail.

Lee plays a vital role in our forever busy workshop. No corners are cut, and a a proper job is done.
A fantastic technician indeed.

He’s celebrating his Birthday in his camper van with his lovely wife for the weekend.

Thank you for being you Lee!

05/07/2026

Happy Birthday Owen!

Owen (at the back, on the right) was the first Technician to leave Ford and join the team at The Van Doctor in March 2025.

We celebrated Owens 31st last night with a bottomless brunch 💁🏼‍♀️, and a good night was had by the whole team.

30/06/2026

2023 - Where it all started for The Van Doctor.

3 years later, we have 5 ex dealer Ford trained technicians, an aspiring apprentice technician, and a service advisor.

We appreciate every single one of our customers!
This would not have been possible without huge risk and ambition, but also YOU. Thank you so much for putting your trust into us, it’s been blood sweat and tears, however we are winning, and we are eternally grateful.

- The team at The Van Doctor.

📍 Derwenthaugh Marina
Blaydon on Tyne
NE21 5LL
0191 468 2740

21/06/2026

Happy Fathers Day to all of our customers who are fathers, and all of our staff who are fathers.

Being a father means guiding, supporting, and helping a child grow through patience, responsibility, and care.
These qualities often translate into the workplace, strengthening leadership, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Fatherhood can also build resilience, empathy, and accountability, helping create a positive, collaborative, and productive work environment.

Keep it cool dads 😎

The Van Doctor
Derwenthaugh Marina
Blaydon on Tyne
NE21 5LL

0191 468 2740

12/06/2026

The story of this 3.2 Ford Ranger!

Crank non start.

This beautiful Ranger is owned by a gentleman in ireland.

2 years ago, his engine failed, still ran, albeit lumpy and rough, because a piston cracked.

He found a technician in england down south who replaced the engine with a brand new unit at a cost of £10,000.

The technician who installed the engine could not get the vehicle started, things happen. So he tried and tried and tried his best to get the vehicle running, but he couldn’t get it started no matter what he tried.

The customer was still charged for the work carried out even though the engine could not be started.

The ranger then ended up at a local Ford dealership, they replaced the high pressure fuel pump and various other parts..

The vehicle still would not start.

We were recommended by Ford for him to have the vehicle recovered to us so we can gain an understanding as to why the vehicle cranks, but will not fire up.

After correcting some poor workmanship by the engine install, we began our diagnostic.

Remember this vehicle has been worked on, sat around, worked on again etc .. for 2 years.

Within just a few hours on the vehicle, including work correction, we found the culprit.

- A loose pin grip on the fuel rail pressure sensor.

The customer is over the moon.

He thought it would never run again.

Attention to detail and knowing what to look for is KEY.

www.TheVanDoctor.co.uk

0191 468 2740

The Van Doctor
Derwenthaugh Marina
Blaydon on Tyne
NE21 5LL

25/05/2026

Glad to see one of our customers is enjoying the sun! - Picture sent in by Toni from her camper van, enjoying a beverage from a limited edition TVD mugs 😆!

Dont forget to check your coolant level in this heat!

Stay cool 😎

www.TheVanDoctor.co.uk

0191 468 2740

16/05/2026

2020 Ford Transit

Symptoms - Difficult to start, when does start, runs with hesitation.

In the photo you can see the cracked valve, causing serious compression issues.

This engine has already been repaired else-where, this became obvious when dis-assembling due to the aftermarket cylinder head bolts and the cylinder head being scored in an attempt to clean.

This is a great example of why we dont typically re-use a cylinder head on the EcoBlue engine once removed, you are always much better off with a brand new unit due to the known issues with the valve seats on this particular engine.

Do it right, or dont bother!

0191 468 2740

The Van Doctor
Blaydon on Tyne
NE21 5LL

www.TheVanDoctor.co.uk

15/05/2026

This week we have had the pleasure of welcome Libby-Jade into our workshop to complete her work experience!

Not the typical route for a female to be in the workshop, and its great to see! She has been a massive help this week along side Connor (the ginger nut), and has showed an extreme amount of willingness to learn. We really think she will go far in the motor trade (even though we have tried our very best to talk her out of it!).

Professional, polite, keen and a huge want for understanding… 4 of the most important key qualities in order to succeed.

Thank you Libby-Jade, we wish you the very best of luck in your future career, whatever you end up doing, stick in and you will absolutely thrive at it. You are a credit to your parents!