A FAMILY-RUN mechanics business in Bradford is gearing up to close its doors for the final time after 50 years.

Sagu Motors, based on Shearbridge Road, will shut on June 30 after repairing generations of Bradford families' vehicles over the decades.

The auto repair shop, which carries out MOTs among its services, has been run by a team of five brothers since it opened at the Shearbridge Road garage in 1977 after one of them initially started the business five years earlier.

Asian Image: From left, brothers Satpal Singh Sagu; Teja, Lehmber and Mangal are closing their Sagu Motors business From left, brothers Satpal Singh Sagu; Teja, Lehmber and Mangal are closing their Sagu Motors business

Mangal Singh Sagu, 72; Teja, 66 and Satpal, 64, still work at the garage, but Lehmber, 76 and Balwinder, 74, have already retired after they too worked in the business.

Mangal says it will be emotional for him and his brothers to close the business but feels it is the right time to do so.

Asian Image: From left, Mangal, Lehmber, Balwinder and Satpal Singh Sagu pictured for a Telegraph & Argus feature in 1988From left, Mangal, Lehmber, Balwinder and Satpal Singh Sagu pictured for a Telegraph & Argus feature in 1988

He said: “It’s very sad to go, but enough is enough. You can’t carry on forever. All of the brothers are retiring.

“It’s been a family business. We started the business when we were all in our 20s. We worked hard.

“All five of the brothers got married, had children and we have sent them all through university by working here.

“I’m getting a bit old to do it now. Our children did not want to do this job. They have their own careers, they are solicitors and financiers.

Asian Image: A picture of Mangal Singh Sagu working on a car in 1974, which features in the Sagu Motors garageA picture of Mangal Singh Sagu working on a car in 1974, which features in the Sagu Motors garage

“I was supposed to retire 10 years ago, but I carried on. We have worked 80 hours a week, and I have had no sickness. This job has kept us fit.

“The customers were nice, they came back to us. Our customers are crying that we’re closing. They have been coming in to have one last service with us. They have been saying ‘our grandchildren have come here, where are we supposed to go now?’. They were part of our family too.

Asian Image: From left, Satpal Singh Sagu, Teja, Lehmber and Mangal at the Sagu Motors site in Bradford From left, Satpal Singh Sagu, Teja, Lehmber and Mangal at the Sagu Motors site in Bradford

“I have spent all my life in this area. Our father helped build this garage and we opened up in this building in 1977.”

Mangal says the auto repair job has changed dramatically over the decades and he recalled working on cars including Rolls Royce and Bentleys.

Asian Image: The Sagu Motors garage, which used to be a dairy, is closing next week as the brothers that run it are retiring The Sagu Motors garage, which used to be a dairy, is closing next week as the brothers that run it are retiring

He added: “The cars were not as complicated when we started as they are now. These days they have electronic sensors. There is more technology in the job now.”

Mangal also recalled playing the drums as part of a Bhangra group who performed at Valley Parade when the Queen opened a new £1.5 million stand in 1997.