About Us
Performance Driven started trading on the 1st of October 2002 in Taunton, Somerset.
The company’s focus is to provide people who own VW, AUDI, SEAT or SKODA vehicles an alternative to a main dealer. We have extensive manufacturer experience and training, manufacturer technical information and dealer diagnostic facilities.
We offer Servicing, Engine Diagnostics, MOTs, Air Conditioning Servicing, Tyre Fitting, 4 Wheel Alignment and more, check out our services page for the full list.
Due to our understanding of manufacturer’s service schedules, we can service cars within the manufacturer’s warranty, using original equipment parts.
We provide a personal service where you deal directly with the person who is working on your vehicle, ensuring that any problems you have do not get diluted by a long chain of command. All additional work is priced and will not proceed without your permission. All items replaced when working on your vehicle are retained for your inspection and will be explained to you when collecting your vehicle. These simple tasks help you to understand where your money has been spent.
Timeline from
2002 – Present
2002 - 2006
Since opening in 2002 we have continued to grow year on year and moved to a larger premises in June 2006. We have invested heavily in specialist tools, equipment and information to keep us up to date with modern practices and vehicles.
2012
In 2012 we purchased the workshop so that we can continue our development and plan for the future. We have also become dealers for Vredestein and Goodyear/Dunlop, making us extremely competitive locally for tyres and offering our customers a greater choice and giving better advise when buying new tyres. The company also celebrated its 10th birthday this year.
2015
We became an Alpine dealer in November 2015, supplying dedicated systems for Audi A4/A5 and VW Golf MK7 with the car-specific Alpine Style. We can also supply the rest of the Alpine product range of Navigation Systems, App Link Stations and DAB radio.
2016
We set about transforming a Golf Mk 5 GTI into a fully competent road and track performance car. Read about the full transformation on our projects page.
2017
2017 saw us start a new tuning project, a VW Amarok Highline 2.0 TDI. Read about the full transformation on our projects page.
2022
In 2022, we celebrated our 20th year in business! We also had some new faces in the Performance Driven garage, as we welcomed Mark and Tom to our Team.
2023
This year, we started work on our most recent project, our VW T6 Transporter. (You can see our T6 behind this timeline) We set about transforming this van into an adventure machine. Read about the full spec on our projects page.
Meet the Team
SIMON HAYMAN
Owner, Technician
Simon has been in the motor trade since leaving school. Working for a Bosch distributor to obtain his apprenticeship and then moving to a dealer group which involved various roles, finishing as Head of Group Aftersales. In 2002 Simon decided to start up Performance Driven, specialising in servicing, and repairing all VW/Audi/SEAT and Skoda’s. Simon is highly qualified and regarded within the motor trade, particularly for solving problems and getting things right first time. He likes to ensure that customer’s needs are met and that standards are high.
Likes: Biscuits, Cricket (Somerset), Football (Arsenal), Rugby (Bath), Photography, Fishing, and more biscuits! Oh, and has OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder).
Dislikes: Empty biscuit tin, Arsenal losing, Tom’s tea-making skills and of course really dislikes untidiness.
Dream Car: Audi RS3
MARK HAYMAN
Senior Technician
Mark has gained 22 years of dealership experience before joining Performance Driven in 2022. He’s a qualified Master Technician and is EV (electrical) trained. He enjoys a challenge and problem solving is a major strength that he has acquired over the years. He prefers working on VW/Audi group cars over anything else that he has previously worked on. Although he does love his Suzuki Swift…
Likes: Biscuits, Football (Arsenal), Rugby (Exeter), Photography, Fishing, and a clean workshop! Watch out Tom…
Dislikes: Empty biscuit tin, bad weather, making the tea. And rude people…
Dream Car: Anything Japanese.
TOM BARRETT
Technician
Tom joined Performance Driven in August 2022 after gaining his level 3 qualification in college. Enjoys working on his own car and numerous bikes in his own time including a 42-year-old BMW!
Likes: Doughnuts, Motor Bikes, Walking, and making tea!
Dislikes: Making the tea, cleaning the company cars, getting bossed around…
Dream Car: Bugatti Veyron
ZEBEDEE
Company Dog
Zebedee joined the company in July 2008 as an eight-week-old puppy. Zeb is responsible for being our watchdog and keeping the boys in check. Guarding the office at all times and Zeb loves the interaction with the customers.
Likes: Biscuits, Tennis balls, Pheasants, Walks, Sleeping and more biscuits!
Dislikes: Empty biscuit tin, being disturbed from his sleep, not being allowed the ball 24/7!