We paid a £99 holding deposit and travelled 45 minutes each way to view a Citroën DS3 at Howards UCC Yeovil. That alone should have demonstrated how serious we were about purchasing the car — yet what should have been a straightforward viewing of a reserved vehicle turned into the worst dealership experiences I’ve had in over three decades of car buyingUnwelcoming and Dismissive from the StartFrom the moment we arrived, the salesperson made it clear she didn’t want to entertain our time unless we were already committed to buying the car. just a cold, transactional energy. She was abrupt, defensive, and showed no willingness to understand our position or build any kind of rapport. Honestly, I think she was completely out of place in a sales role. Her colleague seemed to have the same “couldn’t care less” vibe, which suggests a potential cultural issue.Misleading Pre-Sale PresentationA walkaround video was sent ahead of the visit — but it conveniently skipped every notable issue we later spotted in person:All four diamond-cut alloys were lacquer-peeling and water-damagedA dent in the passenger-side sillPaint damage on two panels (rear right and front left)And most worrying of all — engine coolant clearly below the minimum levelThe issues with the body and paintwork damage were not disclosed in advance, despite being obvious and were certainly not reflected in the advertised price. When we raised the coolant issue, we were told it would be “looked at if we bought the car.” That’s despite being told the car had already passed a full inspection, including a wet belt replacement. If low coolant is missed during that full inspection, what else was?No Test Drive Unless You’re ‘Committed’?This was the real shocker. We were told — repeatedly — that we couldn’t test drive the car unless we were already “committed to buying it.”That line genuinely blew me away. It’s not a Ferrari. It’s a used Citroën DS3 in yellow.I’ve bought cars from Porsche dealerships, independents, and private sellers across the UK — never once have I been told I need to make a buying decision before I’ve even driven the car.It’s not just unusual — it’s completely backwards.How on earth are you supposed to know if a car suits you until you’ve driven it?Walked Away With Zero ConfidenceIn the end, we walked. Not because of the price (we had the cash in the bank and we were ready to make a deal if the car and the approach felt right) but because of how the whole thing was handled. Hopefully the deposit is refunded quickly and smoothly (but that's not happened as yet)!SummaryWe lost trust. Between the undisclosed damage, the low coolant, and the saleswoman’s pushy, dismissive attitude, we had no confidence in the vehicle, the process, or the people.What should have been a straightforward purchase turned into a frustrating, dead-end experience. Yes, I opened with a low offer — as any buyer would when clear cosmetic and mechanical issues are present — but rather than engaging in a reasonable discussion, the saleswoman completely blindsided it and resorted to pressure and intimidation tactics to force the sale. It was like being strong-armed rather than attempting coming to an agreeable deal. We won’t return — and I’d strongly advise others to avoid wasting their time here, (unless of course you enjoy being talked down to, pressured, and strong-armed into a sale).Looking at the wall of 5-star reviews, maybe I caught them on a bad day — but that still doesn’t excuse the dismissive attitude, the pressure tactics, or the fact I left with zero confidence in the car or the people selling it. They won’t be getting my money — or my family’s — anytime soon.
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At Howards, our ethos is to keep you ‘on the road’ by providing expert advice, quality service and value for money. We proudly represent nine of the UK’s most popular and luxury automotive brands, aiming to deliver the highest quality of service underpinned with a culture of respect for our customers, suppliers and employees.
