"Times are tough. For you and for us"

We've been wanting to write this for a while. Not to sell you anything — just to check in, be honest, and ask a question we really mean.

Running a small family business in 2026 is harder than it's ever been. The cost of parts has gone up. Energy bills have gone up. Supplier costs have gone up. And while we've done everything we can to absorb those increases and keep our prices fair, we're not going to pretend we haven't felt the pinch — because we have.

And we know you have too.

Whether it's the weekly shop, the energy bills, the mortgage, or just the general feeling that everything costs more than it did a couple of years ago — you don't need us to tell you that times are tough. You're living it.

Did you know you can pay monthly for your servicing and repairs at 0% interest? No catch, no hidden fees — just a simple way to spread the cost so it doesn't all hit at once. Ask us about it next time you're in or give us a call. And if you're looking for an affordable way to keep your car on the road, our Cost wise Service starts from just £140 — a straightforward, no-fuss service designed to keep your wheels turning without breaking the bank.

And one of the first things people cut back on when money gets tight? The car. We completely understand it — when you're choosing between competing bills, a service that isn't due for a few months can feel like an easy one to push back. But here's the thing we see time and time again: a car that doesn't get looked after doesn't just stop working — it stores up problems. And those problems have a habit of turning into repair bills that are far bigger than the service you skipped in the first place.

Your car isn't a luxury. For most people, it's how you get to work, get the kids to school, and get on with life. It needs to be reliable. And we want to help you keep it that way — without it costing you more than it should.

We've been here since 1996. We've seen a few storms.

Buckingham Ford opened its doors nearly 30 years ago. Bicester followed in 1999. We've been through recessions, a pandemic, a chip shortage that turned the car industry upside down, and now a cost of living squeeze that's touching everyone.

What's got us through every single time is the same thing: the people. Our team, yes — but more than anything, the customers who've trusted us year after year. Some of you have been coming to us for 10, 20, even 40 years. That's not something we take lightly.

So rather than just getting on with it quietly, we wanted to say something out loud.

We see you. And we'd like to help.

We're not here to push products you don't need or to upsell you at every opportunity. That's never been who we are — and it's not going to change now.

What we are here to do is ask a genuine question: is there anything we could be doing differently that would make a real difference to you right now?

Maybe that looks like:

• More flexibility on payment — spreading the cost of a service or MOT so it doesn't all land at once
• Honest advice on what your car actually needs — and what can safely wait a little longer
• Help finding something more affordable — if your current car is costing you too much to run, we might be able to help you find something better suited to your budget
• A straightforward valuation — if you're thinking about selling or downsizing, we'll give you an honest figure with no strings attached

Or maybe it's something else entirely — something we haven't thought of. That's exactly why we're asking.

This isn't a sales pitch. It's a conversation.

We're a family business. We don't have a call centre, a corporate playbook, or shareholders to keep happy. What we have is a team of people who genuinely care, and two garages in towns we've been part of for nearly three decades.

If there's something on your mind — whether it's about your car, your budget, or just wanting to talk through your options — please get in touch. Come in for a coffee. Give us a call. Send us a message. We'd love to hear from you.

Because we're in this together. And together is how we get through it.

Buckingham Motor Company Ford Street, Buckingham, MK18 1AQ ???? 01280 812121

Bicester Motor Company 16–18 Banbury Road, Bicester, OX26 2HJ ???? 01869 323272

Or drop us a message via the contact forms on our websites — we'll always get back to you.