It was going quite well up until the point of paying the deposit. No hard pressure sales. Left alone to check the car out. Test drive was shorter than I would have liked, due to hardly any fuel in the tank. Negotiated a price and verbally agreed what they would do for the price:
1. Deal with some surface rust on the wheel arch.
2. Refurbish all wheels.
3. New front number plate.
4. Valet inside and out.
5. Service and MOT.
That was my first mistake, not getting all that in writing and asking what the service would entail.
Fast forward a week, I turn up to collect the car and it is nowhere to be seen as it is still being prepped. I wait for 90 minutes for it to turn up. I was now running late so didn't have a chance to have a proper look round so, I paid the balance. When I asked for the pre-collection service receipt I was told: "It will be available the following Friday" so, I set off on my way. Second mistake and first alarm bell.
It becomes clear the car hasn’t been prepped properly. Not polished, not cleaned inside. Leaves in the glove box. Bits in the centre console. Muddy footprints on the inside trim.
Everything seems to have been left to the last moment, the MOT, the service, the prep, what there was of it. A ‘Service Due’ light on the dashboard suggesting it hadn’t been serviced and with the service receipt not available for a week, it’s reasonable to wonder if has been serviced. I also had a problem with the windscreen washer which doesn’t work - another dashboard light.
However...
the car drives well and gets me home and once home, I can see the damaged number plate is still on the car. I’m annoyed but I’m a reasonable man and mistakes happen. I contact them, mention the problem with the windscreen washer and ask to book it in and wait whilst they check out the washer pump and level sensor, it’s not a big job. The washer pump is easily accessible and is a push fit job, as is the washer level sensor. I’m told, no they need it all day. I ask if someone can come out - getting back up Maldon is a pain - and look at it. No. I have to bring it in and leave it for the day. I ask them to order a new washer pump and washer fluid level sensor (via Ebay) which they say they will do and they will be in contact. They will also get the documentation for the service they did prior to the car being collected by me. The V5 I was given, is not the latest one issued and I will have to pay £25 to order a correct one.
A week goes by and I hear nothing and no service documentation. I email them and ask for them to send the parts, I’ll sort it out my end and for the service documentation (for the 3rd time)
No response, so I email again and ask for the parts and service documentation (for the 4th time). This time I get a response: 'It's all sorted'.
What does mean? I don't know, so I email again and the parts are in the post and they do indeed arrive the next day, minus the repeatedly asked for pre-collection service documentation. I've given up asking for that. If it had been done, it would have been sent it.
I fit the parts. It took 30 minutes. It took longer to remove the wheel arch than fit the new pump and level sensor.
I also have a full service done on the car and I ask the garage was the oil changed and is the filer new? They tell me no, they were not and a part worn tyre has been fitted to get the failed one through the MOT.
I can see on TP and Google they have a majority of good reviews. I can see the bad ones all share common themes.
Ultimately, I got lucky, the car is good but the whole experience was disappointing, disorganised, sloppy and promises not delivered. A good range of cars but too much hassle, so learn from my mistakes and keep your wits about you!
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