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45 reviews from our car dealer reviews community
Leave a review for Specialist Cars York
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45 reviews from our car dealer reviews community

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"Passionate about job, highly organised!"
5 out of 5 stars
Dealer's knowledgeable
Vehicle cleanliness
Value for money
Resolving issues

Kristian was an absolute pleasure to deal with for my first classic car purchase. He is passionate about the job and highly organised. I very much look forward to a repeat visit and delighted that any parts can be easily ordered at trade cost. I will be sure to spread the word." Henry, Dublin Ireland.

kristan from Specialist Cars York in response to Passionate about job, highly organised!

Hi Henry, Hope your well, and happy to have been of assistance, and thanks for the nice review, please feel free to call anytime, look forward to hearing again from you soon. Best wishes from myself and the team at SC over in the UK...

"** Extremely Knowledgeable garage**"
5 out of 5 stars
Dealer's knowledgeable
Vehicle cleanliness
Value for money
Resolving issues

What this place dont know about their cars isnt worth knowing. I was impressed at the depth of knowledge this place have. Passionate isnt the word. Bought a lovely car, As described. I had a small warranty issue that was dealt with quickly and satisfactorily. Will use again and spread the word to my friends in the Club. A true specialist in the field.

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+297 Found this review helpful

kristan from Specialist Cars York in response to ** Extremely Knowledgeable garage**

Hi there, Thanks for the feedback, and happy to be of service, look forward to been of assistance again soon, we hope you enjoy your new car, best wished from myself and the team here at SC...

"Knows his stuff!"
5 out of 5 stars
Dealer's knowledgeable
Vehicle cleanliness
Value for money
Resolving issues

Bought a classic Merc from specialist cars york - described it well and certainly knows his stuff about these cars.

kristan from Specialist Cars York in response to Knows his stuff!

Hi there, thanks for the positive feedback, we hope you enjoy your new car and look forward to been of service again in the future, best wishes from me and my team.

"Great service,highly recommended!!"
5 out of 5 stars
Dealer's knowledgeable
Vehicle cleanliness
Value for money
Resolving issues

Thank you for all your help! Great knowledge, and made buying the car an easy process. I can not recommend Kristian enough, Brilliant service in every way.

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+243 Found this review helpful

Kristan from Specialist Cars York in response to Great service,highly recommended!!

Hi there, thanks for the nice review, and taking time to post one, we try our best, and hope to see you again sometime in the future.

"Superb. Thank you "
5 out of 5 stars
Dealer's knowledgeable
Vehicle cleanliness
Value for money
Resolving issues

Thank you so much. My Japanese classic Range Rover is just the best. Thrilled with it. Would not hesitate to recommend Specialist Cars York. I run a busy antiques dealership and required a reliable towing vehicle. All of the Team I dealt with could not do enough for me. Sourced it, got it road ready and delivered it to me. Any queries/questions quickly dealt with. It's driving fantastically and admired wherever I go. Thank you!

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+227 Found this review helpful

Kristan from Specialist Cars York in response to Superb. Thank you

Thanks for the positive feedback, think the car you chose will suit the job you do, look forward to been of service again.

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"Specialistcars.net importing from Japan"
1.2 out of 5 stars
Dealer's knowledgeable
Vehicle cleanliness
Value for money
Resolving issues

Hi everyone, I have had the same issues that others have voiced about Kristian at specialistcars.net at Tockwith. Do not be lulled into a false sense of security with his supposedly 'fully refundable deposit.' This is one of the least trustworthy people I can imagine handing over a deposit to - you may eventually get it back if you are lucky (and as it is clearly stated in the contract) but you will have to fight so incredibly hard to do so or end up taking him to court! So many problems with cars which are marketed as excellent condition from having spent their life in Japan but actually, when problems arise, Kristian and his supposed 'warranty' are just a completely useless farce. He has the gift of the gab but be very careful, you have been warned. AVOID. As other reviews have stated, do not be reassured by Kristian's response to these reviews - he is just further demonstrating the problems that this, and many other views have voiced about specialist cars at Marston Business Park, Tockwith.

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+11 Found this review helpful

Kristan from Specialist Cars York in response to Specialistcars.net importing from Japan

For the avoidance of any doubt, any deposit placed is refundable, simple as… and refunded in the same said way a deposit has been paid, this is fully documented and stated in writing prior placing a deposit and if the case auctioned promptly, In relation to the Japanese Imported cars we sell, anyone is welcome at no obligation to come view the cars in the flesh here, or if you are going to any of the large national cars shows throughout the UK, lots of the cars we have imported (now in the hundreds) and the satisfied owners are always there to be seen and spoken too, the cars will be easily noted as they have a branding decal on the rear rhs of the boot lid or rear panel), these guys love the cars we have supplied, please feel free to speak to any of them, they are becoming the choice of many owner club members, and seasoned car show enthusiasts. Sadly, like any good thing, the large numbers of cars we sell, at the prices we sell for them for as expected are causing friction in the motor trade with the competition. Strangely this poster states he paid a deposit on a car, cancelled, struggle to get a deposit back, but then had issues with the warranty on the car he says never bought? Please feel free to do you own research.

"Refusal to admit any faults with car"
1 out of 5 stars
Dealer's knowledgeable
Vehicle cleanliness
Value for money
Resolving issues

I had the displeasure of distance purchasing a car from Kristian at Specialist Cars in York in Feb 2017, it looked immaculate and was described as very good in the description. Unfortunately I paid the full price by bank transfer and made arrangements to pick up the car on the following Saturday (250 mile trip to pick up) When I arrived I was disappointed with the appearance of the car, no a trace of service history to back up the mileage, a scab of rust that was about to go through on the sill (passed MOT the day before without even an advisory) The bonnet was also not closing properly as had been badly fitted after accident damage to front end I suspected. When I took the car down the road for the first time the brakes were also worryingly out of balance of the front and there was a loud ticking noise at same time under braking (classic ABS fault). I returned immediately back to Kristian registering my complaint, he then took the car for a drive with me and tried to explain that this was merely where the car had been 'sat for a while' and had some surface rust on the discs which would clear in first 30 miles of driving, we argued but he was adamant, so as I had to go somewhere further North first I said I would be back if it didn't clear. As I proceeded North I filled up with with Diesel at first opportunity, after then proceeding up the M6 for a further 20 miles the car started to loose power and I ended up on the hard shoulder with the car cut out. It would restart after a few minutes but the fault would keep re-appearing, I know these cars very well and this is due to blocked fuel filters even though car had been 'serviced' before purchase. I managed to limp the car back the 40 or so miles of limping, cutting out and re-starting etc etc during which time the ABS light came on further confirming my diagnosis of the braking. When I got back to specialist cars the heated discussions started and the upshot was I demanded a full refund of 3700 for the car so I could go home and we could put the whole experience behind us, I knew my rights and assumed this would be OK given the cars issues. There was much uncomfortable backwards and forwards discussion after which Kristian agreed to refund me 3400 in cash with the other 300 to follow in the form of a voucher for future purchase of a car or parts. Even though I had no confidence in this man I still accepted as just could not take any more of him and was worried about taking other forms of action that would have not helped my cause. As I sit and write this I am still waiting for the 300 voucher and have no confidence it will turn up. I am certain that Kristian will write a reply to this telling the whole world how he is a fair man and the car was as described blah blah blah as this is the nature of the man, he couldn't lie straight in bed.

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+15 Found this review helpful

Kristian from Specialist Cars York in response to Refusal to admit any faults with car

We as a company take these reviews very seriously, we have just read this review with massive disappointment not only for me but for the 2 guys who put much effort and pride into getting this particular car ready for the customer in question so it fitted the strict budget available to him, and exceeded the expectations he had for the money he was spending. The customer in question approached us in the market for “cheap” Mercedes W124, as many customers know we specialise in importing exceptional, very low mileage, dry climate cars from Japan, these range from £6000 to £10,000+ in the case of a W124 at present, not the cheapest ones, but as many now know light years ahead many of the normal rusted UK cars ones tends to find. As this customer had a limited budget of around £3000-3500 he was keen to buy a UK car we had taken in part exchange, as the customer was made aware the car in question was a UK car from new hence 22+ years of UK climate & winters, 6+ owners, 130k+ miles, and without any form of service history we were aware of, not a patch on one of our imported cars, albeit was circa 50% of the normal market price for similar UK cars at other UK dealers. Unlike the normal retail cars we sell, part exchange cars at trade/auction money, or less in this case are not prepared to the same degree and do not come with the 2 year after sales package and benefits we give with retail cars. As the customer was new to our garage and had reiterated he was at his maximum budget, we as a gesture of goodwill discounted the price by around £300, to cover some basic additional preparation we advised may be prudent if he wished to buy the car, the car although recently done, was given a fresh oil service, freshly MOT tested, and in addition some minor jobs carried out, this resulted in the customer paying the same total price as the car was offered at originally. In the week before collection too, as always any details in relation to the car were made freely available so an informed purchase could be made something we are a big believer in here, these included, registration number, Vin number, details of a HPI facilities, V5c registration document details on previous owners names and addresses, and details of how to access the online VOSA MOT history going back many years, and spec check the car with Mercedes, all of this so any purchase he intended to make could be thoroughly investigated and thought through prior been concluded. In the 25 yrs of been in this business we have always held a belief that whatever level a price a customer pays, they should be made to feel special, so in addition to the above the car in question was valeted, detailed, machine polished, seats and carpets shampoo cleaned, engine bay detailed, treated to Autoglym resin treatment, and wax oiled, in total some 10 1/2 hours over a full day and additional morning spent not charged for. On the Saturday in question the customer wished to collect the car he was collected from the local station, prior collection inspected the car with no complaint, some time he later returned saying he had noted a vibration on braking and was not satisfied with the bonnet gap. As the car has done barley a hundred miles (as demonstrated in the Hpi report & VOSA MOT history file we had collated for him) in the 12 mths of previous ownership, it was pointed out that the brakes had a small amount of surface rust on the brake discs which would clean off with use, in addition the right hand side bonnet resting peg was sprayed with wd40, and turned 2 revelations clockwise, this lowered the bonnet by 2mm on one side so it sat level. Later in the afternoon the customer called again this time somewhere now towards Newcastle, many miles from us, stating he had run low on diesel and the car did not feel right, we said we would be here till 7.00 pm as normal and he was welcome to bring the car back if he had any concerns, on return the car was driven by him 1st, then me, it appeared perfectly fine. I stated at this point if he had any reservations we would happily buy the car back, this we did and dropped him at the local train station. As a gesture of goodwill we also issued a voucher for £300, this could be used by him, a family member, or friend against an alternative sales car, or restorations works, parts and other services should he wish to source the car elsewhere.

David Rice in response to Refusal to admit any faults with car

Expected this kind of response, the goodwill voucher has NEVER materialized, I just wish I had taken the time to check this very helpful review website before I made the purchase.

"Great Service from start to finish"
5 out of 5 stars
Dealer's knowledgeable
Vehicle cleanliness
Value for money
Resolving issues

A friend who had bought from Specialist Cars, York recommended them to me. As a woman from the city venturing to Yorkshire to purchase my first classic car was a daunting thought to say the least but my fears were soon allayed. I was offered a bespoke package from start to finish. The car I wanted was sourced from Japan for me from my 'wish list'. The whole process was explained to me and when the car did arrive it was better than I could have ever anticipated. I am delighted. I bought the car as an investment and will be buying again from them. Any queries I had were answered in plain speaking language. Cant recommend them enough if you are looking for a classic car.

David Smith in response to Great Service from start to finish

Take note that the email is not validated for this review so it cannot be regarded as genuine.

"Steven"
2.6 out of 5 stars
Dealer's knowledgeable
Vehicle cleanliness
Value for money
Resolving issues

If your thinking is that you’d rather buy from a dealer and have the peace of mind that comes with a warranty, even though you know you’re paying more than you would for a private sale, then think again. You might not want to buy from Specialistcars.net. Don’t get me wrong, I got a decent car, but it did have things wrong which needed attention. Kristian certainly knows his cars, though of course, his advice and expertise is put to the greatest use in securing a sale. My issue was that making a claim against the warranty or the ‘2-year service plan’ was incredibly difficult. It required enormous tenacity on my part, email after email and numerous difficult phone calls. I paid more for the car than I would have been likely to pay in a private sale but in the end this did not prove to be a worthwhile additional expense. The website says, “We source, acquire, stock, and supply quality Classic, Prestige & Specialist Vehicles from most manufacturers, to and from most places around the world.” However, if you need to call on the warranty, you have to return the car or post the faulty part to Kristian while he gets his guys to repair it and return it. All the while, your car is laid up at the mechanics in bits awaiting his verdict. And he doesn’t rush into doing anything once he has your money! (After paying for the car in full, it took almost 2 weeks for the car to be delivered, for example.) Living over 100 miles away and working full time, returning the car for his guys to do the work on it simply wasn’t practical. After some difficult negotiation, I got him to agree to let me get the work done by a local garage. Being a reasonable man, I even agreed that he did not have to cover the full cost – “a reasonable contribution” was my requirement. After sending the invoices to him, all I got in response was criticism of the person I’d had to do the work, accusations that work didn’t need doing at all and that he’d charged too much, assurances that he’d known this car for years and knew there was nothing wrong with it... etc. It was all very wearing and stressful. He may have known the person who previously owned the car for years, but that doesn’t mean he knew the exact state of every part on the car and the list of issues which I’ve needed to sort out confirms this. I believe this was just a tactic to get me off his back. Once I’d had the work done and sent the invoices as requested (9 Oct by email), promise after promise was made that ‘the admin girl’ would deal with it that week and send me a cheque. As each promised deadline slipped past, I chased it up and received another promise in a increasingly curt email. I was not going to let it go. I felt like there was a strategy to grind me down until I gave up. On 5 Nov, I was told it would be with me “mid-week”. Still nothing. I chased it on 13 Nov and on 14 Nov received this reply from Kristian; “A cheque and detailed breakdown went out last week, I posted it myself so defo gone. Should be with you anytime.” It arrived on 16 Nov, the envelope post marked 14 Nov giving the lie to “went out last week, I posted it myself.” It confirmed my suspicion that Kristian might not always have the greatest regard for the truth. I wouldn’t go as far as to say the warranty is not worth the paper it’s written on, but I would say it is only worth anything if you’re prepared to stand your ground and keep chipping away. Kristian has an answer for everything; he’s clearly well practised in rebuffing any request which might reduce his profits, even if that approach also means reducing the potential for repeat business. I certainly wouldn’t do business with him again. I would, at the very least, urge caution.

Specialist Cars from Specialist Cars York in response to Steven

Car in question (800 hour+, nut and bolt restored heritage shell MGB GT was sold in perfect condition, - please feel free to contact me and I will very happily e-mail pics to anyone showing how good this beautiful car was, "decent car" does not even start to describe the condition!, (this guy was 1st viewer, 4 hour detailed inspection, and test driven by customer prior purchase with no complaint at all, also after looking at many cars on market. He bought there and then), following purchase, 2 unauthorised repairs carried out, the customer sent 2 very vague invoices for these, invoice No 1, detailing starter motor replacement @ £182.50 (remember this is a MGB, a starter motor is circa £50, and takes 1 hr to fit), Invoice No 2, detailing mainly su carb work @ £548.13, on further scrutiny transpired invoice 2, mostly for an electronic ignition upgrade, car would have been collected and both jobs (starter & carbs adjustment) would have been done free under warranty if required, if we had been given the opportunity too, electronic ignition upgrade, would be not covered under any warranty, when we asked to see evidence of parts replaced, old parts mysteriously thrown in skip by his garage, skip as you would expect gone too!, no delivery notes for replacement parts available either, regardless £275 sent to customer as gesture of good will (twice the cost we would have incurred doing the same work if required detailed on his garage invoices, (had we been given the opportunity to assist), re delivery (done free of charge), customer specified dry day so no rain went on car, sadly we can not control the UK weather in November.

Steven in response to Steven

Just read Kristian's response. There are so many misrepresentations in here I don't have the energy to respond. But this is typical Kristian - like I said above, he has all the answers. It's like talking to a wall. So pleased he's illustrated this so clearly here.

"Anthony"
5 out of 5 stars
Dealer's knowledgeable
Vehicle cleanliness
Value for money
Resolving issues

I have just collected an immaculate, classic 1980's Mercedes-Benz from Kristian. A not unreasonable amount was offered for my high mileage Mercedes in part exchange. I found Kristian to be very knowledgeable, helpful and went 'the extra mile' in preparing the vehicle-he even arranged, foc, to have fitted some structural accessories that were mailed to his workshops. It is fair to say I would buy from him again and would not hesitate to recommend his services to friends and family.

kristan from Specialist Cars York in response to Anthony

Hi Tony, Hope your well, and enjoying the w123 we sourced and sold you, thank you also for the 3 referrals so far to date too, much appreciated.

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Dealership Information

We source, acquire, stock, and supply quality Classic, Prestige & Specialist Vehicles from most manufacturers, to and from most places around the world. We also stock a number of Motorcycles and interesting Cherished Registration Plates.

If you don't see what you want or have something interesting for sale please drop us an e-mail or give us a call. We have a network of clients and contacts worldwide from circa 25+ years in the business! Full in house shipping and logistics department - special low fare deals for UK, IRL, European, and Worldwide shipping of vehicles available - click on our Vehicle Delivery section for more information on latest low rates
and rapid vehicle shipping packages.

Manufacturers: Sells a variety of makes and models
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45 reviews3.9 out of 5 stars — Rated Very Good
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  • Contact Information

    Address

    Specialist Cars York
    Marston Moor Business Park
    York
    North Yorkshire
    YO26 7QF

    Get in touch

    01423 358686
    http://www.specialistcars.net

    Opening times
    Mon 10.00 - 17:00
    Tue 10.00 - 17:00
    Wed 10.00 - 17:00
    Thu 10.00 - 17:00
    Fri 10.00 - 17:00
    Sat CLOSED
    Sun CLOSED

    Dealership Statistics

    71%
    Would recommend this dealer to family and friends
    84%
    Percent of reviews responded to by this dealer

    Additional Information About Specialist Cars York

    Company Formed: XXXXXXXXXX
    Company Registration: XXXXXXXXXX
    Dealer Group: XXXXXXXXXX
    Directors: XXXXXXXXXX
    FCA Ref: XXXXXXXXXX
    FCAStatus: XXXXXXXXXX
    Premises Type: XXXXXXXXXX
    Registered Name: XXXXXXXXXX
    VAT Number: XXXXXXXXXX


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