Sam C, September 2023
"The worst car business I’ve dealt with"
1 out of 5 stars
Dealer's knowledgeable
Vehicle cleanliness
Value for money
Resolving issues
I’ve left a review once already but the business owner threatened to sue me, having read some of the comments here it looks like others have had the same treatment so heres my 2nd brutally honest review.
I decided to buy a car from this garage in March as they were a local business to me I’ve known for years and it turned out to be a huge mistake. Sold me a car they had been struggling to sell because it had faults. They told me they managed to diagnose them and they would be fixed before the eventual buyer collected the car, they had a total of 9 weeks over 3 periods to fix them and never did. Lots of discrepancy between what he says and what is evident in reality, no invoices to prove any professional workmanship carried out, they damaged the car whilst I left it with them for the 3rd time to fix it. Admitted that it looked to be damaged by them and later said it was my fault for leaving the car in their care. Very shady way of dealing with customers, Others I’ve spoken to in the industry say they’ve had trouble dealing with this business in the past and a law firm I spoke with told me they’ve had dealings with this business before.
+3 Found this review helpful
Sam in response to The worst car business I’ve dealt with
*To clarify*
The vehicle ‘appeared’ to be damaged after I left it with them for the 3rd time. I don’t have any photos of the vehicle before I left it with them, only immediately after I picked it back up.
Robert Sanders from Botley Car Centre in response to The worst car business I’ve dealt with
The parts were not available from the main agent due to the vehicle being 20 years of age.
We did not struggle to sell this car, In fact we had 4 other people wanting to buy it at the same time.
We sold it to you and handed it over when the part was actually working but you later found that it had an intermittent fault with the I-control. We welcomed you back to fix it at our cost. It’s a 20 year old vehicle, no vehicle of this age is going to be perfect!
We ordered the required part 3 times online, unfortunately the supplied parts were wrong twice, hence the time scale for repair…
You were kept in the loop the whole way through and loan vehicle was offered and used free of charge.
Unfortunately a bumper was marked whilst in our possession. We apologised for this and had it repaired at our cost.
Mentioning that we have supposedly blamed you for the damage for leaving the vehicle with us is a blatant lie. I am the director of the business and dealt with you from start to finish. You are being slanderous here which is the reason I am speaking to our solicitors tomorrow.
If you would like the invoices for the repairs I can email you these, The local repair garages bill us directly as we are paying the bills but you are welcome to them. We have nothing to hide and have no reason to lie to you. Vehicles go wrong sometimes!
We have done our upmost for this customer again as always.
Unfortunately we cannot please everyone!
Anonymous, August 2022
"***AVOID***"
1 out of 5 stars
Dealer's knowledgeable
Vehicle cleanliness
Value for money
Resolving issues
***AVOID***
I brought a vehicle from Botley Car Centre that was not fit for purpose. I was told by Rob Saunders that I had a warranty on the vehicle and to bring it back if I had any problems. Within 1 week there was a knocking noise. The noise was so loud that three separate mechanic friends identified the issue as the DUAL MASS FLY WHEEL, for those not mechanics this is a MAJOR fault. I contacted Saunders who drove my vehicle for a couple of days and said there was no issues??? Saunders clearly does not know about cars as he said the DMF was not a MAJOR fault and not covered by the warranty. He clearly lied about the warranty cover. I would not trust him and strongly suggest shopping at reputable dealers. Also his customer service is atrocious as he never answers his phone and appears to avoid confrontation. Lesson learned by me and £1000 out of pocket due to repairs needed. Please don’t suffer the same fate.
+11 Found this review helpful
Robert Sanders from Botley Car Centre in response to ***AVOID***
John, I personally drove the vehicle for two days straight covering roughly 120 miles. It got me from A-B perfectly well with no noises/ issues. Our mechanics drove it who were also 100% satisfied with its condition. The finance company inspected it and have also agreed there was no issue with it. I said to you if a clutch failed or the apparent noise got louder then we would sort out what was needed. We have been in business since 1981 and have a very good reputation. We are here to help you but we are not going to spend money on a vehicle if there is nothing wrong with it. .
Mike W, August 2022
"WHAT A GREAT TEAM"
5 out of 5 stars
Dealer's knowledgeable
Vehicle cleanliness
Value for money
Resolving issues
5 stars for this dealership! Upon arriving at their office I was instantly handed the keys to the vehicle of my choice. I was left alone to have a look at my own leisure and handed a cool drink as it was such a warm day. I then went for a test drive followed by purchasing the vehicle there and then and it drove home perfectly without any issues. I am delighted with my new vehicle and what a great team at Botley car centre
+0 Found this review helpful
George L, July 2022
"A great all round experience! "
5 out of 5 stars
Dealer's knowledgeable
Vehicle cleanliness
Value for money
Resolving issues
I was not sure really what size van I needed for my business until Rob let me look at several various vans before making the correct choice! My new van came with a new MOT, service and cambelt, it was very clean and well presented. Rob there in 3 months warranty which a lot of other van dealers didn’t offer and said that if I were to have any mechanical issues then he would loan me a vehicle whilst being repaired which has given me good piece of mind! I will definitely be returning to Botley car centre for my next purchase!
+0 Found this review helpful
Denise C, July 2022
"Very poor service. "
1.6 out of 5 stars
Dealer's knowledgeable
Vehicle cleanliness
Value for money
Resolving issues
Bought a vehicle last September and had a problem with it. Took the car back 3 times and assumed that it would be fixed. No, they drove the car to London and left the car empty.
Took for MOT in January and discovered the complete suspension needed doing plus front brakes.
Response - wear and tear - must have known about it when I bought it.
Now lost £3k in repairs.
Don't buy from here unless you have an AA check
+7 Found this review helpful
Robert Sanders from Botley Car Centre in response to Very poor service.
This has got to be a competitor dealership or something surely? I run the business alone, I have no interest in travelling to London and even if I did why would I use a customers car to get there when I have my own? Completed lost with this one...
Kim S, September 2021
"Be careful there's an angry man here."
1 out of 5 stars
Dealer's knowledgeable
Vehicle cleanliness
Value for money
Resolving issues
I am a 69 year old pensioner who was using the Botley cycleway and tried to pass this dealership while riding my bike but it was blocked with parked cars on the pavement (customers) and a large vehicle on the forecourt protruding out into the pavement/cycleway.. I got through the gap between all the vehicles with great difficulty and someone came up and assaulted me! Tried to push me off my mountain bike.
I was only a passerby who lives on the same road as Botley Cars. I am not sure what actual involvement with these people would be if there were problems with any vehicle you purchased?
Whoever the individual was they seemed completely out of control, and I was lucky not to end up in the traffic on the main road.
I will add the word "allegedly" but you all know why I put that in this review.
I have never and will never purchase a car from these people. If someone there can attack a pensioner in broad daylight I would not feel comfortable doing business with such a person.
+1 Found this review helpful
Robert Sanders from Botley Car Centre in response to Be careful there's an angry man here.
I am sorry this happened outside our premises. I run Botley Car Centre alone and know nothing about this incident so unfortunately cannot help any further with it. All the best, Rob
Transit B, July 2021
"Steer well clear!!"
1 out of 5 stars
Dealer's knowledgeable
Vehicle cleanliness
Value for money
Resolving issues
Avoid this garage at all costs.
Recently purchased a 16 plate Ford transit from this garage. After travelling 10 miles home going indoors to see my gf and returning back to the van and trying to start the engine it wouldn’t restart!
Could not believe it at first and took robs words for it when I contacted him and he said these things happen I will get it fixed for you.
He gave me a loan van and then said he would fix the problems if he could find any.
Two days later rob said they’re were no faults with the van and it was ready for collection.
I collected the van that night and wishing 5 minutes off driving they're was warning lights on the dash
Service now
Oil change required
Water defected in fuel.
I Managed to drive home again and contacted him about the problems to which he said they would have another look on Monday.
I then went back to the van and it wouldn’t restart. They then collected the van on Monday and took them until Thursday after they claimed an electrician had found a fault and the fuel pump needed changing and that it was my fault because I had ran it out of fuel and the warranty doesn’t cover it.
When I confronted rob about this on the phone as I had become annoyed and frustrated after spending £16000 on a van that I have owned for 10 days and driven for one hour and been accused of breaking it and making the garage pay for it.
He then refused to pay the £900 parts and labour costs as it’s not covered under they're In house warranty as I the customer is at fault because I apparently broke a van I just paid £16000 for within ten minutes off owning it and driving from Portsmouth to botley.
Rob then resulted in calling the police as I had suggested I could see through his lies and have seen his type before.
Apparently saying to somebody you’ve sold a van to the wrong person is threatening in robs eyes.
Not only will he rip you off with a van that after ten minutes of owning has these issues
Oil light on
Service light on
Water in fuel detected warning
Won’t restart
A door that sounds like it’s been ripped off in a hurricane and stuck back on with prick stick and confetti.
The key didn’t even fit the door.
He then reported me to the police for not returning his loan vehicle as according to Rob after spending £16000 in his car centre I was being horrible to him because I’ve asked him to pay for the faults and I was unreasonable even though it comes with a 3 month warranty and I broke down after 10 minutes ?
Rob is audacious and a coward who has no empathy.
+10 Found this review helpful
Robert Sanders from Botley Car Centre in response to Steer well clear!!
We both had a conversation at the handover about you going to the fuel station straight away. You drove it to Portsmouth which is a good half an hour away and approximately 20 miles on an empty tank. You then admitted the van had run out of fuel and that after putting fuel in it - it started again. I said to you that it may have damaged the fuel pump which two separate garages have now confirmed. A warranty company is not going to pay out for something you have damaged yourself by not putting fuel in the vehicle. After feeling very threatened I have now been forced to pay for the repair and I have also offered for you to keep the loan vehicle just to keep the peace. I can not do anymore for you and I would like to think that one day you would agree that you are being completely unreasonable and have treated me and my business unfairly!
Lee Green in response to Steer well clear!!
I gave home £14,400 for a VW Transporter
Took it to my mechanic to check it over, he advised front brake pads were low. Rob initially said no problem. A month later after getting me a loan van .. 190000 on the clock .. the first one engine blew up in fairness he came straight out to recover it and left me with a Transit with 180000 on the clock .. and juddered all over the place at 65mph
So he allegedly took the van to a garage 600yds down the road, and was told my mechanic is ‘being over the top’ regarding my brakes and ‘there are loads of miles left on them’
Two weeks later my van was in the garage and My mechanic put new pads on! They were worn out and the disc was rusty!
He advertised the van with every extra on it and a fair fee didn’t work
A split in the screen washer reservoir, which I told him about right from the start.. apparently was replaced… more lies.. And a Failure on an MOT
The MOT last year had advisories from, but completely wiped off without any paperwork to show the work had been undertaken this year!
Advertised as 130,000 on the clock true miles on MOT 135,000
And on pick up I found the driver wing mirror cowling damaged and great big oil foot prints all over new ply line where someone had fixed the back interior lights
Rob is not an honourable business man. Never on site
I took 3 days off in all to try to get my van fixed which should have been straight away but his summer holidays were more important!
Fourteen thousand pounds for the worst experience After a bad experience trying to buy an honest van last year..
Be Warned!!!
John, May 2021
"Shocking Dealership "
1 out of 5 stars
Dealer's knowledgeable
Vehicle cleanliness
Value for money
Resolving issues
Avoid Avoid been a nightmare vehicle keeps braking down. Trading standards involved slow repairs boodgy repairs you name it. Nice as pie until he gets your money and hes useless
+9 Found this review helpful
Deborah Miles in response to Shocking Dealership
I bought a car from these people. After a number of returns with the same problems recurring, they were unable to repair it. On threat of legal action, they replaced it. The replacement had exactly the same issues, which have got progressively worse. Only emails stating intent to take legal action are answered. Steer clear, people, it's not worth it.
Robert Sanders from Botley Car Centre in response to Shocking Dealership
We spent £5000 repairing this vehicle by replacing an engine with a fully reconditioned one, it is a huge job and takes time. We loaned a vehicle throughout the process. The new reconditioned turbo’s eventually went wrong after we handed the vehicle back so we have now given a full refund. I couldn’t have done any more for this customer. It is not our fault when a problem happens with a vehicle and we do everything we can to get it sorted fairly and promptly.
Lee Green in response to Shocking Dealership
This is very interesting!!! Same experience encountered!!!
Chris, January 2021
"I cannot recommend this dealership."
1 out of 5 stars
Dealer's knowledgeable
Vehicle cleanliness
Value for money
Resolving issues
I purchased a car from the Botley Car Centre and subsequently had to take them to court to recoup monies spent to make the vehicle road legal. This matter could have been resolved in a much more customer oriented and friendly fashion, which would have resulted in a totally different review. I certainly wouldn’t have the confidence to buy a car from them again given my experience.
+10 Found this review helpful
Robert Sanders from Botley Car Centre in response to I cannot recommend this dealership.
We gave permission for this customer to use a local garage due to them living 5 hours away from our dealership. The customer took it to a specialist rather than a local independent business that would charge more fairly. The vehicle needed an exhaust manifold that I offered to send down in the post costing £180 and we would also pay the labour charge. Instead the customer gave the go ahead to have the entire exhaust replaced at roughly £1400 which was not required and tried sending us the bill.
I offered the customer the following options;
1. We send the part down and pay the labour charge if he used an independent garage not an expensive specialist.
2. I collect the vehicle and fix it in- house and deliver it back
3. Full refund of the vehicle
I could not have done anymore for this customer.
CHRIS HICKLING in response to I cannot recommend this dealership.
As Buckingham Palace recently stated - recollections may vary. A full refund request was refused, subsequently two thirds of the exhaust had to be replaced due to the the catalytic converter being missing at the manifold and a sub standard item had been replaced beneath the floor. The judge was in full agreement with my case. Need I say more.
Cipri, January 2021
"Very bad experience"
1 out of 5 stars
Dealer's knowledgeable
Vehicle cleanliness
Value for money
Resolving issues
I buy a car from him, the car value is 11000 and he sell me with sensor park no working and the door sensor show me every time that its open! I went back with the car for repair and he put me a sensor that doesn’t work and at the door put glue to fix. When i show him he said that i want to put me new spares and the care is second?? Its not acceptable to do this like a dealer and to sell the car with problems and no service history! Be very careful from where you buy ! Now i need to pay the finance for a care that value 11000 and the car have problems!
+8 Found this review helpful
Robert Sanders from Botley Car Centre in response to Very bad experience
To start with this particular customer was foreign and didn’t really understand what I was saying which really didn’t help the situation to be honest. Our auto electrician was halfway through diagnosing the issue with the vehicle when the customer turned up and demanded the vehicle back. A few days later I gave the go ahead for him to take it to a local garage for the repair, the customer turned up at 4:30pm on the day it was booked in and the garage close at 5pm. He never showed up again for them. I offered to pay for all parts and labour to have the fault fixed. I think the main issue here was me not being able to communicate with the customer due to him not speaking English unfortunately.
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