Review Time
I am writing this review on behalf of my other half, Julie, who took her 2013 plate Mini Countryman to the Service Department in Chester for a full diagnostic test after a couple of warning lights appeared on the dash.
We booked the car in for 09:10, Wednesday 15th April 2026. From the two ladies on the reception desk to a lovely lady named Georgia, the whole process was extremely professional and a breath of fresh air. The full diagnostic test cost £120 and it offered a very comprehensive ‘Test Report’ of the Mini’s general health and what possibly needed addressing further down the line - there was no ‘pushy’ sales tactics whatsoever. A new bulb was fitted, so total cost £126.71 - not bad from a main dealer!
Add to this a free quick jet wash and the car was ready to pick up approximately 4 hours later (we popped over to the nearby Greyhound Retail Park and had breakfast in the ASDA cafe, then visited several shops to kill time).
After reading some of the negative reviews about Halliwell Jones, Chester, l thought it only fair to share our own very pleasant experience. Thank you again Georgia.
I am writing this review on behalf of my other half, Julie, who took her 2013 plate Mini Countryman to the Service Department in Chester for a full diagnostic test after a couple of warning lights appeared on the dash.We booked the car in for 09:10, Wednesday 15th April 2026. From the two ladies on the reception desk to a lovely lady named Georgia, the whole process was extremely professional and a breath of fresh air. The full diagnostic test cost £120 and it offered a very comprehensive ‘Test Report’ of the Mini’s general health and what possibly needed addressing further down the line - there was no ‘pushy’ sales tactics whatsoever. A new bulb was fitted, so total cost £126.71 - not bad from a main dealer!Add to this a free quick jet wash and the car was ready to pick up approximately 4 hours later (we popped over to the nearby Greyhound Retail Park and had breakfast in the ASDA cafe, then visited several shops to kill time).After reading some of the negative reviews about Halliwell Jones, Chester, l thought it only fair to share our own very pleasant experience. Thank you again Georgia.
I had a skid in the snow early January, causing serious damage to my car. I could tell it would most likely be written off.My poor car then sat at the side of the road for 10 days before Toyota eventually decided to collect it. In this time, the police ended up having to cordon it off as local residents were concerned about its safety.The recovery company eventually collected it but then decided to keep the car for ransom at their base in Warrington because they apparently hadn't been paid properly for the collection! They eventually delivered it to Halliwell Jones in Chester for assessment etc.My policy states I would receive a courtesy car, and the contact at Halliwell Jones repeatedly told me "there is a Mini here for you but I'm just waiting on approval to hand it over to you". On top of this, I had explained to him and Toyota Insurance that I support 2 elderly parents with Alzheimer's and transport is vital.However, I was left without a courtesy car throughout what became one of the most stressful periods in a long time.Toyota Insurance eventually wrote off my car and gave me what appeared to be slightly under market value for it, although the transaction and dealings with them at this point where fine, and their customer service staff were great.However, like a final kick in the face, although the guy at Halliwell Jones promised me he wouldn't release my car for scrapping until I had been to collect my personal possessions from it (as I hadn't had the chance the day of the accident), when I turned up at the agreed day and time, the car had already been taken away. Only by my own investigation, was I able to track it down to Copart car auctions in Sandycroft, where they kindly let me access the car to retrieve my things.Thanks to Toyota Insurance Services and Halliwell Jones Chester for making what was already a stressful situation so much more difficult.
Visited two weekends ago to test drive a 4 series, got told some old rope about customers coming to pick cars up so no time for test drive, baring in mind they do not attend these. Left details and heard nothing since. Was told the car wasn't available to test drive (yet it was open and on the forecourt) and we'll have to try a demonstrator when they decide to contact me. Saw at least two couples returning from test drives that day, much better service from the Warrington dealership a week earlier, test drive within 10mins and no hard sale.
After having seen photos and a personalised video we drove 2 hours to view a 73-plate Mini JCW after paying a deposit, only to find undisclosed issues: seat stitching coming apart, damaged alloy, scuffed rear bumper, and the car wasn’t even clean. The sales manager refused to speak to us, leaving a junior salesman to apologise. Wasted 5 hours, fuel costs, and an insurance admin fee. No compensation and over a week to refund the deposit. Found a car the same day at Sytner Mini Nottingham, night and day difference in professionalism. Avoid Mini Chester.
I contacted them about a weather seal for the sun-roof after crows had attacked it. I was promptly advised that because the car was out of warranty, the diagnostic fee would be £220.00. I advised it didn't need diagnosis, it needs a replacement seal. They advised BMW policy was to charge £220.00 for a diagnostic regardless of the problem if I wanted them to fix it. I wanted to ask them how much they were charging me for the phone call to tell me that they would charge me £220 for a quote.
I booked my bmw x1 into halliwell jones garage on Wednesday 6th August 2025 for discs and pads on front and rear. They had the car all day from 9 a.m until 5p.m. I collected the car at 5 p.m service advisor said everything was fine didn’t mention anything was wrong.I drove out of the garage and the first junction I got to (bumpers lane) I struggled to stop. Long spongy brake pedal, I put it down to the new brakes bedding in. (I recently had discs and pads done on my Toyota Yaris and they were very sharp!!)I eventually arrived home and parked at the front of my house. The next day brake pedal was still long and spongy but again put it down to new brakes.I came home from work in the evening and parked on the driveway which is sloped slightly, and normally I leave the car in gear and that would be it, but the car kept moving.I thought has the handbrake cable snapped? I turned the engine off and it held on the driveway. I immediately rang bmw Chester on Friday 8th August to be told it will cost me £220 just to have a look at it for 1 hour and they would need the car all day!! But they couldn’t fit me in until next Tuesday even though it was a safety issue!!Any normal garage would have looked at it straight away and try to find the issue but bmw just want your money
Shocking service and communication received today. Booked car in for brake fluid and MOT. Asked for a courtesy car, none available. Not a problem. Advised that I would be waiting as needed car back as soon as possible. Seen other customers come and go. Coming to tell other customers of their updates. Me… waited a total of 5 hours for an MOT and brake fluid! As no one came near me for 3.5 hours went to speak to the person who checked me in. Asked for an update. He asked me what my name was! Great start. He looked on computer and said I will go and check. He advised great news it’s passed its MOT. I said wouldn’t expect anything less its got 12,000 miles on it. Just doing brake fluid. Waited another hour he comes over… won’t be long! I said I hope not it’s nearly home time. He looked confused and said not really. I said I’ve been sitting here 5 hours and no one has come to give me an update. He said I spoke to you before. Yes because I spoke to you. He then tries to patronise me and said how can I explain this as if I’m some kind of idiot. You didn’t advise you were waiting. I said I did and when I checked it it was already on my paperwork! No he said you didn’t book in a 2 hour appt. We have waiting appts. I said this is the first time I have been here. I wasn’t aware there were 2 hour slots I could book and no one mentioned this this morning. Came to trust pilot to give this feedback but having only 1.9 star rating it clearly shows you don’t care about customers! Do better!
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