Telephone: 01237 472282

Blights Motors - Our History

Blights Motors was founded in 1933 by the late Jack who was a blacksmith in the village of Monkleigh near Bideford. He started life shoeing horses and making trailers and repairing carts. He then progressed on to the Motor car as it became more popular after the war. The business outgrew the Blacksmiths shop in Bideford and moved into Bideford on the Torrington Road and also Torridge Hill in Bideford. The business again outgrew these sites and moved to the present site in the early 1960’s. Fred Blight, Jack’s son joined the business along with his son Jeffery.

Today the business is still very much a family affair with Nick Blight –Jeff’s son runs the Service department, Tim Blight Nick’s uncle involved with the Car Sales and Teresa Blight Jeff’s wife in charge of the Spar store. Blights over the years have held many franchises including, Standard, Trimuph, Austin, Rootes and in more recent years Vauhall and Ford and today specialise in the servicing and repair of Ford cars and vans with twenty years experience.

Blights have always tried to look to the future, the premises at New Road was one of the first garages in Devon to build a canopy over its fuel pumps and also one of the first to open for fuel on a Sunday, today of course this is now common place. Today Blights now have a modern Spar convenience store with an off-licence and Costa Coffee, a Esso Forecourt with the latest multimedia fuel pumps.

Almost 8 years ago Blights became the North Devon Main Dealers for the expanding MG car franchise which offers affordable cars with long warranties and MG heritage, alongside the Mg brand Blights have a modern workshop & MOT testing station and work on any make of car.

Blights Motors are the first business in Bideford to install a Rapid Electric Car Charger point for the growing electric car market. In 2023 Blights Motors celebrate 90 years as a family-run business still run by the Blight family’s.

1933

Founded by William John Blight. The business started from a Blacksmith shop in Monkleigh near Bideford.

1944

At New Road, Bideford. In the photo is William John Blight known as “Jack”, the father to Fred Blight – the 2 original founders of the business.

1971

An aerial shot of Blights, Clovelly Road, Bideford in 1971.

1998

An aerial shot of Blights, Clovelly Road, Bideford in 1998.

2020

Blights is now a thriving independent local business offering many services.

2023

An aerial shot of Blights, Clovelly Road, Bideford in 2023.

Blights Motors Limited is an Appointed Representative of Automotive Compliance Ltd, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA No 497010). Automotive Compliance Ltd's permissions as a Principal Firm allows

Blights Motors Limited to act as a credit broker, not as a lender, for the introduction to a limited number of lenders and to act as an agent on behalf of the insurer for insurance distribution activities only.

We can introduce you to a selected panel of lenders, which includes MG Finance. An introduction to a lender does not amount to independent financial advice and we act as their agent for this introduction. Our approach is to introduce you first to MG Finance, who are usually able to offer the best available package for you, taking into account both interest rates and other contributions. If they are unable to make you an offer of finance, we then seek to introduce you to whichever of the other lenders on our panel is able to be make the next best offer of finance for you. Our aim is to secure the best deal you are eligible for from our panel of lenders. Lenders may pay a fixed commission to us for introducing you to them, calculated by reference to the vehicle model or amount you borrow. Different lenders may pay different commissions for such introductions, and MG Finance also provide preferential rates to us for the funding of our vehicle stock and also provide financial support for our training and marketing. But any such amounts they and other lenders pay us will not affect the amounts you pay under your finance agreement, all of which are set by the lender concerned. If you ask us what the amount of commission is, we will tell you in good time before the Finance agreement is executed. All finance applications are subject to status, terms and conditions apply, UK residents only, 18’s or over. Guarantees may be required.

Regulated Complaints Post: Automotive Compliance Ltd, The Factory, 44 Alfred Street, Gloucester, GL1 4DD Telephone: 01452671560 E-mail: complaints@automotivecompliance.co.uk

If we cannot resolve your complaint within 8 weeks, you may refer your dispute to the Financial Ombudsman Service. This service is free to use. Their consumer helpline is available on 0800 023 4567 or 0300 123 9123 or you can visit their website at www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk