Welcome to Toomey Motor Group in Southend and Basildon

Vehicle sales and servicing excellence from Toomey Motor Group

Motoring is simple, affordable and enjoyable with Toomey, as it's our aim to help you find the ideal vehicle, or service your current one, and only ever pay a competitive price. To achieve this, we work on behalf of a variety of the industry's leading manufacturers as an authorised dealership, upholding their reputation and supporting drivers who choose their vehicles. With new and used car sales and van sales we represent Citroen, DS, Dacia, Vauxhall, Renault, Nissan, Peugeot, MG while also stocking a broad selection of new and used passenger cars from low-cost leaders, Dacia. This broad network of dealers means that choosing the right model for your individual motoring needs and budget is straightforward – you simply need to decide which one you prefer. And helping to make that decision even easier is our range of finance packages, which enable you to ensure your choice sits comfortably within your budget. We have motorists spread across Essex covering areas such as Southend, Basildon, Rochford, Wickford, Chelmsford and Thurrock. Visit one of our dealer showrooms in Essex today.

Vehicle sales and servicing excellence from Toomey Motor Group

Once you're out on the road in your new or pre-owned car or van, you will always be welcomed back to benefit from our aftersales assistance. Our showroom teams are complemented by trained technicians who understand the brand they represent completely, and are therefore best placed to keep your vehicle performing at its best. Alongside general servicing and maintenance, we also perform SMART repairs to remove dents and scratches quickly. This investment in advanced technology highlights our commitment to maintaining delivery of the highest standards for our customers.
With a wide choice of used cars, new cars, used vans, new vans and services, we attract many loyal motorists from across the region to our site, and we are well-equipped to serve them all. Our team includes specialists in business and fleet solutions, as well as the Motability scheme, so no matter what purpose your next car or van is intended to meet, we can help.

If you are interested in a particular manufacturer and would like to know more about your opportunities, click through to the dedicated brand page for details. Otherwise, get in touch with one of our advisers, either online, by phone or directly in person, and we will be happy to assist you.

So if you're looking for car dealers near you in Southend and Basildon in Essex for car servicing, then give us a try and we think you'll be impressed.

Toomey Motor Group Timeline

Jan 1929

1929

In 1929 a young man by the name of Joseph Toomey, in true entrepreneurial spirit, opened a new business, Laindon Accumulators, in Laindon, Essex, selling motor cycles. Thus was born the Company which is so well known in Essex, as "Toomeys". From t... READ MORE

´29
Jan 1932

1932

The benefits of modern technology were becoming available to the man in the street at an affordable price; the "wireless", following the brilliant achievements of Marconi, had become an important part of everyday life,... READ MORE

´32
Jan 1936

1936

This year saw our entry into the world of finance; it also saw a change in the structure of the businesses operated by our Founder; this operation was to be run by a Company, not by a sole trader. In May, Laindon Credi... READ MORE

´36
Jan 1937

1937

Further expansion and diversification took place; Laindon Sand and Ballast Ltd commenced trading - the choice of name spares the need to explain its activities.

Mr Toomey was no longer a sole trader with a shop; the activities of his busin... READ MORE

´37
Jan 1938

1938

Our motor trade operation was now truly established, a fact which prompted the incorporation in January of that year of J Toomey Motors Ltd, a name which the Group has been proud to have at the forefront of the market place in Essex for over seven... READ MORE

´38
Jan 1939

1939-1947

The wartime years, and the period of austerity which followed, had of necessity restricted the Group's activities. However, the British are a resilient race and the world of commerce and industry had waved good-bye to the bad times and was now loo... READ MORE

´39
Jan 1947

1947

J Toomey Motors Ltd proudly announced its appointment as a Vauxhall dealer. The very first vehicle supplied by this newly-appointed dealer was a Vauxhall Fourteen HP, registration no. MHK 100, an occasion vividly recalled by our present Chairman, ... READ MORE

´47
Jan 1947

1947-1961

The Laindon Holdings Group of Companies continued to flourish; the austerity of the post war years finally ended with the cessation of rationing in the early fifties, manufacturing and construction industries expanded rapidly, and this expansion c... READ MORE

´47
Jan 1962

1962

George Martin (Transport) Ltd was incorporated, a Company set up by Michael J Toomey, our founder's son.

´62
Jan 1964

1964

George Martin (Transport) Ltd was renamed George Martin (Laindon) Ltd, as a result of changes in its activities - it had entered the construction industry.

´64
Jan 1968

1968

A new era dawned; Michael J Toomey, having established himself as a successful businessman in his own right, acquired a majority share holding in the LH Group of Companies. Ambitious and charismatic, he set about the task of building on the founda... READ MORE

´68
Jan 1968

High Road Circa 1968

´68
Jan 1969

1969

As part of a review of Group operations, Laindon Sand and Ballast Ltd was renamed J Toomey Motors (Wickford) Ltd (both companies had car sales and filling stations) and a new Company - J Toomey Motors (Stanford-le-Hope) Ltd was incorporated.

´69
Jan 1969

J Toomey Motors Wickford Circa 1969

´69
Jan 1973

1973

New markets and new opportunities were investigated, and the LH Group moved into contract hire and vehicle rental. J Toomey Motors (Stanford-le-Hope) Ltd was renamed Toomey Hire & Leasing Ltd. Using the trading style "Toomey Rentals" the Compa... READ MORE

´73
Jan 1975

1975

Business format franchising was seen by the Group to offer potential for further expansion and this year saw J Toomey Motors (Wickford) Ltd renamed as Intacab Ltd. The management team were tasked with the development and establishment of a franchi... READ MORE

´75
Jan 1977

1977

Another important year in our history; for forty years the LH Group's activities had been confined to the United Kingdom and it was decided by the Board of Directors that the time was right for us to utilise our expertise and resources in the expo... READ MORE

´77
Jan 1979

1979

The pilot for our franchise Cygnet Cars was renamed Basildon Cab & Freight Ltd. A second pilot unit was established fifteen miles from Basildon, operated by a new Group Company, named Chelmsford Cab & Freight Ltd in order to identify close... READ MORE

´79
Jan 1981

1981

George Martin (Laindon) Ltd was renamed George Martin Ltd. The Group's activities in the field of insurance having grown considerably, Toomey Insurance Brokers Ltd was established as a Company in its own right.

´81
Jan 1982

1982

The first independent Intacab franchise was opened.

´82
Jan 1984

1984

Chelmsford Cab & Freight Ltd was renamed Leaselink Ltd - this second Intacab unit having become franchised and the Company's activities having therefore changed.

´84
Jan 1985

Out with the old

´85
Jan 1986

1986

A year of great change; from the High Road, Laindon premises which had been the home of all LH Group Companies for so long, all ten Companies moved into a striking, modern, purpose-built home, state-of-the-art filling station with car wash and thr... READ MORE

´86
Jan 1986

In with the new

´86
Jan 1987

1987

Unit Export (Great Britain) Ltd was renamed Unit Export Ltd. Since its original inception in 1977 Unit Export has worked in over 60 countries supplying a wide range of products to aid funded projects. Working closely with The World Bank in Washing... READ MORE

´87
Jan 1988

1988

J Toomey Motors Ltd were appointed AWD commercial vehicle distributors and immediately established themselves as a major force in the commercial vehicle market in London and the eastern home counties.

´88
Jan 1989

1989

The Group's Board was strengthened by the appointment of new Directors and a sophisticated computer system was introduced throughout the Group.

´89
Jan 1992

1992

In January of this year Toomeyfit opened offering a 7am to 11pm drive through tyre, exhaust and M.O.T facility. Toomeyfit enabled the group to move into the lucrative fast fit industry.

´92
Aug 1993

1993

On 2nd August 1993 Toomey Nissan opened its doors as the officially appointed Nissan dealership for the Basildon area and is currently flourishing within the group complex.

´93
Jan 1994

Toomey Nissan Show Dome

´94
Jan 1995

1995

Toomey Nissan moved from their temporary Show Dome to a one million pound purpose built dealership. Once again this was a George Martin development.

So as not to be left behind in the constant changing world of technology, this year saw th... READ MORE

´95
Jan 1997

1997

George Martin started work on a new dealership for the group with a high profile "Guess Who" campaign in January of this year. Toomey Renno Limited was formed in September and on the 5th of September the doors were opened on their 1.5 million turn... READ MORE

´97
Feb 1998

1998

February of this year saw the Bodyshop move to its new 15,000sq ft location with the purchase of Kingston House only 500 yards from Service House. The Group now boasts a new customer friendly Accident Repair Centre.

This year saw Toomey... READ MORE

´98
Jun 1999

1999

In June of thisyear Toomey Hire & Leasing acquires the assets, name and premises of the Chester based Skyway Leasing Ltd. By providing the same high level of customer dedication,commitment and service that clearly identifies Toomey Leasing, To... READ MORE

´99
Jun 1999

Inside the new Masterfit

´99
Jun 2000

June 2000

The year began with Nissan Motors (GB) Ltd awarding the Group the Nissan franchise for Westcliff-on-Sea and surrounding areas. In June 2000 Toomey Nissan (Southend) Ltd commenced trading.

´00
Oct 2000

October 2000

On the 2 October 2000 the Group acquired Warwick Wright Brentwood and the new Company Toomey Pershow (Brentwood) Ltd was born, adding the Peugeot franchise to the Group's portfolio.

´00
Jun 2001

2001

The 1st June was the day that New Crown Vehicle Leasing, based in Nottingham, joined the family to promote and extend within the East Midlands the already successful Contract Hire and Leasing facilities of the Group. New Crown Leasing with its lon... READ MORE

´01
Jan 2002

2002

In January 2002 Fleetsave Vehicle Management Services Ltd, a vehicle leasing company based in Birmingham, was acquired from Bristol Street Motors and renamed Toomey Fleetsave Ltd. This acquisition again increases our geographical coverage of the U... READ MORE

´02
Jan 2003

2003

In January 2003, some four weeks after we were approached, our Toomeyfit premises were converted into our Toomey Daewoo dealership with the three-bay hobby wash being converted into a state-of-the-art showroom; allowing us to get up and running to... READ MORE

´03
Apr 2004

2004

Toomey Skyway Ltd moved to prestigious new premises in April 2004 and the company is now based at Marlston House, Bell Meadow Business Park, Pulford, Chester.

In August 2004 J Toomey Motors were appointed as a Saab Dealer further enhancing... READ MORE

´04
Mar 2005

2005

On 1st March 2005 the acquisition of Opticar Ltd, a leasing company in Luton, was completed. Toomey Opticar Ltd are based at Byron House, Luton.

In October 2005 the Group opened a Vauxhall dealership in Southend, Toomey (Southend) Ltd, ena... READ MORE

´05
Jan 2006

2006

On 1 July 2006 General Motors decided to incorporate the Daewoo brand with Chevrolet and Toomey Daewoo Ltd became Toomey Chevrolay Ltd.

In 2006 the re-badged Daewoo/Chevrolet (Toomey Chevrolay Ltd) was relocated to the Vauxhall showroom at... READ MORE

´06
May 2006

May 2006

In May 2006 the Laindon Holdings Group purchased a Renault Dealership in the Southend area from Lookers and Toomey Renno (Southend) Ltd was formed.

´06
Aug 2006

August 2006

In August 2006 Toomey Midzubishy Ltd opened its doors at Basildon, adding another manufacturer to the Group's portfolio.

The Laindon Holdings Group's Rochford Business Park Project commenced. A state of the art motor village complex is bei... READ MORE

´06
Jun 2007

2007

This summer saw Toomey Opticar move from Byron House to a new development of modern offices at Capability Green, Luton.

´07
Jan 2008

2008

As you can see from the following photographs taken in 2008, the Laindon Holdings Group are constantly updating our image to keep up with the times and to give our customers the best service available.

´08
Jan 2008

Toomey Vauxhall

´08
Jan 2008

Toomey Nissan

´08
Jan 2008

Toomey Renault

´08
Jan 2008

Kingston House Body Shop

´08
Jan 2008

Toomey Peugeot

´08
Jan 2008

Toomey Mitsubishi

´08
Apr 2008

April 2008

In April 2008 Laindon Holdings acquire Kent Elms Citroen in Orsett, from then on to be known as Toomey Sitron Ltd. This purchase soon spread and saw Toomey Sitron Ltd sharing premises with Mitsubishi at Basildon and Orsett.

George Martin c... READ MORE

´08
May 2008

Toomey Automotive Retail Park

The new Toomey Automotive Retail Park starts to take form.

´08
May 2008

Toomey Automotive Retail Park

´08
Oct 2008

October 2008

In October 2008 The Toomey Automotive Retail Park opens the doors for business of its new BP Petrol Forecourt. Its 1683m² Canopy makes it the largest Petrol Filling Station in Europe. It also incorporates a Bakery/Hot food Take-away in the Foreco... READ MORE

´08
Dec 2008

December 2008

In December 2008 Toomey Vauxhall (Southend) Ltd, Toomey Renault (Southend) Ltd and Toomey Peugeot (Southend) Ltd move out of their old locations and into their new, purpose built units on The Toomey Automotive Retail Park.

December 2008 al... READ MORE

´08
Jul 2009

2009

In July 2009 Toomey Nissan (Southend) Ltd join the rest of their Toomey cousins in Southend by moving into The Toomey Automotive Retail Park with Toomey Renault (Southend) Ltd.

In August 2009 the site office of George Martin Ltd at The Too... READ MORE

´09
Aug 2010

2010

In August 2010 we began the first full refurbishment of the Petrol Filling Station in Basildon since being built in 1986. This included the replacement of all the pumps, relaying of the forecourt paving, a shop refit, new signage and improved ligh... READ MORE

´10
Feb 2012

2012

This year saw significant changes in the structure of the Group as well as the acquisition, through J Toomey Motors Ltd, of the Vauxhall Magnus Dealership – in Brentwood on 9th February 2012. It was privately owned and operated for many years wi... READ MORE

´12
Jan 2013

2013

This year we added diversity to the Group activities with the establishment of LH Fine Foods – a distribution company of various items from Spanish garlics, olives and other appetizers to curry sauces, salad dressings, bottled water and more.READ MORE

´13
Jun 2014

2014

In 2014 the rebranding of the Vauxhall Magnus site took place involving complete refurbishment of the site to bring it in line with J Toomey Motors Ltd. This was project managed by George Martin Limited and completed in June 2014.

´14
Aug 2014

2014

2014 also saw the start of a new George Martin housing development in Laindon High Road of 13, two, three and four bedroom homes. This development is expected to be completed in early 2015.
And the story goes on with further new projects in ... READ MORE

´14