Mains Motors (Bedford) is a family run business. The family has been involved in recycling of mechanical vehicle spares since 1910.

The family business started with William Frederick Main who in 1910 decided that the way forward in business was to supply second hand spares for the repair of agricultural machinery to local farmers of Oxfordshire. As his sons Walter and Raymond became old enough to take an interest in the expanding business it started to take in the growing popularity of cars and commercial vehicles.

The outbreak of World War ІІ increased the popularity of the recycled parts. At the end of the war Mains Motors Limited was formed by Walter and Raymond Main on the back of surplus ex-wd vehicles, these vehicles were then subsequently stripped and the spares were exported mainly to the middle east. The other spares were made in to farm trailers and tankers for agricultural use.


1953 saw the death of Walter Main, Raymond then became the sole owner of the business which has seen it expand beyond all recognition of its humble beginnings in 1910.

On the death of his father John mains family moved to Bedfordshire therefore John was unable to follow in his father’s foot steps until 1973, when he moved back to Oxfordshire and joined his uncle Raymond and his cousins to work with them.

In 1980 John formed his own business of Mains Motors Reading, using his knowledge gained to restore and break pre 65 Vauxhalls and sell the recycled parts.


In 1994 John relocated the business moving back to Bedfordshire changing the name to Mains Motors Bedford.  In 2004 John and his son Gavin purchased a non-ferrous recycling business TR Metals of Bedford renaming it G M Metals. As a sideline in 2005 G M Metals expanded into a reclamation and Collectibles firm known as Times Past and Present.

This has flourished in the year that is has been established and now we export to the four corners of the world Japan, New Zealand, Canada and America. This is located in the Unit next door to G M Metals.


In 2006 Johns wife Wendy and eldest son Karl joined the business to run G M Metals allowing Gavin and John to setup a new venture under the heading of Used Car Spares Mains Motors Bedford primarily this new venture is a step forward as an End of Life Treatment facility for cars and light commercial vehicles.

After de-pollution the vehicles will be stripped parts recycled and used car spares will be sold. Once up and running this side of the business will be run by Gavin allowing John to take a step back and run Times Past and Present which sells some agricultural collectibles.