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40 reviews from our car dealer reviews community
Leave a review for Available Car Castle Donington
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40 reviews from our car dealer reviews community

Leave a review for Available Car Castle Donington
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"Don't use this company "
1 out of 5 stars
Dealer's knowledgeable
Vehicle cleanliness
Value for money
Resolving issues
Reviewer submitted review independently

I would strongly advise anyone considering purchasing a vehicle from Available Car, or taking finance through Black Horse, to thoroughly research both companies before proceeding. My experience was extremely disappointing from start to finish. The vehicle I purchased developed ongoing issues, but instead of my concerns being fully investigated, I felt they were repeatedly dismissed and I was consistently told there was nothing wrong with the car. The aftersales service was poor, communication was frustrating, and staff were often argumentative rather than helpful when I tried to raise legitimate concerns. What should have been a straightforward process became a lengthy and stressful dispute. As my concerns continued, I sought independent evidence regarding the condition of the vehicle. Following a detailed investigation and a complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service, my complaint was upheld. The finance agreement was terminated, the vehicle was returned, and compensation was awarded. What disappointed me most was the apparent reluctance to properly consider the evidence that was presented. Throughout the process, I felt that my concerns were not taken seriously and that resolving the matter required far more effort than should have been necessary. My advice to anyone experiencing issues with a vehicle is not to rely solely on the dealer's assessment. Obtain an independent inspection from ACE (Automotive Consulting Engineers) or another reputable specialist, and ensure any concerns are formally reported to Trading Standards where appropriate. Independent evidence can be invaluable when trying to establish the true condition of a vehicle. Buying a car should be an enjoyable and exciting experience, not a prolonged battle to have concerns acknowledged and investigated. Unfortunately, that was not my experience with Available Car at Castle Donington, and I would not choose to use them again.

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+0 Found this review helpful
"After-sales support doesn't exist"
1 out of 5 stars
Dealer's knowledgeable
Vehicle cleanliness
Value for money
Resolving issues
Reviewer purchase not verified

The after-sales support for my car purchase has been terrible. Once the sale was done, the dealership became unresponsive and unhelpful. Safety Issues with the vehicle were ignored, and getting any assistance has been frustrating. I wouldn’t recommend buying from them based on this experience.

+8 Found this review helpful
"Check MOT and policies "
1.3 out of 5 stars
Dealer's knowledgeable
Vehicle cleanliness
Value for money
Resolving issues
Reviewer purchase not verified

They do not MOT cars if they have over 6 months on and in my case never had MOT cert do check! Or even better go to a garage that has after care sales not just sell sell sell, sorry the policy says after care.

+5 Found this review helpful
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"Disgusting"
2.4 out of 5 stars
Dealer's knowledgeable
Vehicle cleanliness
Value for money
Resolving issues
Reviewer submitted review independently

I write to make a complaint about the incompetence and inconveniences we endured at your Castle Donington site. I have since got my new car no w and am happy with it however I feel I must raise to you the issues with this site. All went well initially with knowing what car I wanted (a like for like as my old one but a newer model and year due to PCP coming to an end). I had a test drive and was happy, being told that some minor marks and the lower trimming/skirting that was missing would be added. I agreed to purchase the car, albeit at a higher pecentage of finance than last time, having gone from roughly 9% to 16%, but as that's down to credit score after some convincing as it was a nice car I accepted it. I went ahead and sorted the finance out with the sales person Andy whom was incredibly helpful and knowledgable, and given a collection date. Upon arriving on the collection date with confidence it had been fully tested and ready, we noticed air conditioning was not working, only blowing hot air. Bearing in mind, I had already changed the insurance over which incurred admin and change costs, in addition to not being local, so each journey is a 30 minute, 30 mile drive, and the fuel costs. We were given an ultimatum, either take the car away faulty and return to have fixed, or leave the car to be fixed and return another time. We agreed the latter. We were informed that this would take 3-4 days and would be contacted when ready. We were called the following day by someone to inform the car is ready. We were reluctant about this and so left it another day in which we got another call saying it's ready to collect. We made the trip to the store, only to find that this was false and the issue was still there. Again, we left and had more phone calls, and a voicemail, to say the car is ready. We had to inform that the car isnt ready as its awaiting the air conditioning fix. It shouldnt be on us to inform your staff. Upon being told that it had been fixed, we arrived again and discovered it was still not fixed. At this stage, we asked to speak to Martin the manager. He did not offer any compensation for our inconveniences and was just pleased we didn't 'shout' at him, which speaks volumes as to others experiences. We even asked do you do car deliveries, to which he answered no. Further search discovered that you do deliver cars. We would have felt less annoyed if this was offered as a courtesy to avoid us making more trips. A man on the phone previously had said we will fill the tank up as a form of apology, which we were happy for. When Martin was told this, he was more concerned with finding which staff member had promised this, rather than investigating why his engineers had failed to competently test thoroughly the air conditioning fault, which we had to wait for a part for, to then find out it wasn't a physical fault but a software fault. In total, we made 3 wasted trips to the branch, incurred huge costs from the incompetence, and an additional 4th trip to finally collect the car. I am appalled that we were not offered free delivery in this circumstance. Having examined reviews for this branch online, it's clear to me that this is a failing branch, and other customers report similar delays in getting their cars in relation to incompetent engineers. Martin mentioned that there was a 4 week delay in courtesy cars, which speaks volumes again if customers are having to use these before their cars are ready, so this wasn't even an option for us. We were even called one time and asked to collect the car while we were in the branch! There seems to be no connectedness between the staff for a swift efficient experience. When we informed Martin of the insurance charges from changing the insurance from the old to the new and back again repeatedly, having in total amounted to £30, he replied with the fact that Available car don't charge for changes, completely missing our point that he has heavily inconvenienced us! Although I am pleased with my purchase, and the staff were generally very helpful, there seems to be structural and managerial issues at this branch which you should be aware of.,

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+11 Found this review helpful
"Very disappointed indeed "
1 out of 5 stars
Dealer's knowledgeable
Vehicle cleanliness
Value for money
Resolving issues
Reviewer purchase not verified

Having spotted what we thought was a good car on line for sale with Available Cars, we drove 30 miles to Castle Donington to view it. Waited for just a little while for a salesman to become free. We were then taken to see the car (once located and brought nearer to the main building). It had a hole in the windscreen and was very grubby. We were not happy at all and were showed a different car, which was in even worse condition than the first (we are talking about a spend of £10,000+ here, not peanuts to me). Needless to say, we made no purchase that day and had only undertaken the journey on the understanding that the car we’d seen advertised was in very good condition, which turned out not to be true. Furthermore, our mobile phone bill later showed that 3 telephone calls to Available Cars had cost £9, way above the norm so, along with petrol costs, it proved to be an expensive mistake on our part to put any faith into Available Cars. (No complaints about the salesman as such, who was no doubt doing what was expected of him….very sad though having to work for a company like Available Cars).

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+5 Found this review helpful
"Awful after sales team!"
1 out of 5 stars
Dealer's knowledgeable
Vehicle cleanliness
Value for money
Resolving issues
Reviewer purchase not verified

My partner bought a car from AvailableCar Castle Donington in 2023, he noticed the heating did not work on the passenger side within days of owning the car. He contacted AvailableCar within 30 days and it has taken until April 2025 for the car to be fixed, after having to take the car in twice before but was told there were insufficient technicians and waiting for a part on back order for months. Communication has been awful and we have been left in limbo waiting for responses. When the part was finally here they had his vehicle for a month, ignoring our phone calls for updates on the car, being told they would be passing on messages. He was finally told they had broken his phone holder, he has gone to finally collect his vehicle and there is severe damage to the gear selector and drivers seat. This damage will cost hundreds of pounds at least to fix and we are still waiting to see if they will even replace the phone holder. ABSOLUTELY AVOID! I would not recommend anyone buying a car from here.

Reviewer has confirmed their email address

+3 Found this review helpful
"2018 class "
1 out of 5 stars
Dealer's knowledgeable
Vehicle cleanliness
Value for money
Resolving issues
Reviewer purchase not verified

Don’t buy from these 9 days they have had my car Told me to pick it up faulty still Asked for refund Got told no due to section55 Section 55 don’t mean anything the solicitor I spoke to earlier Want my money back for the faulty car you sold me 9 days they couldn’t find noise go to pick it up and noise was still there liars scammers managers don’t care selling faulty cars

+4 Found this review helpful
"Poor Customer Experience on Collection"
2.8 out of 5 stars
Dealer's knowledgeable
Vehicle cleanliness
Value for money
Resolving issues
Reviewer purchase not verified

Last Saturday I visited Available Car at Castle Donnington and purchased a car which I was to collect this evening. I was was given an appointment time for collection of no later than 5pm. I arrived at just prior to 5pm and was asked to wait for someone to complete the sale with me. At 5:35pm Greg came to me and we went to look at the car. I noted that there was still polish swirls on the body and polish dust over the roof and bonnet. Where coating had been applied to the black plastic this had runs and drips and looked shocking. Greg said he would get someone to attend while we did the paperwork. While doing the paperwork I was informed that they had lost the 2nd key for the car and hence would have to order one and then arrange how they would get it to me. We then went back to the car and Greggs colleague had concluded the car needed to be refinished in the valeting shop. There was then a discussion about when and Greg came back with another colleague who advised he could get a duster or I could leave the car. I chose to leave the car and let them finish the job. I arranged for someone to drive and collect me. The staff are polite and professional but the customer experience I have had is poor. I have paid £13000 for a car that I was going to collect tonight, it wasn't finished properly and 1 key is missing. There was no offer of help to get home and when I suggested that as a gesture they could fill the tank up the answer was no. They did offer a free coffee from the vending machine!! The only offer was to finish the job properly which is what I have paid for in the first place! Tomorrow I need to get myself back to collect my car at my expense. I am very disappointed with the experience and the fact that while they have acknowledge that the car is not right, the inconvenience I have suffered is not acknowledged.

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+5 Found this review helpful
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"Shocking"
1.4 out of 5 stars
Dealer's knowledgeable
Vehicle cleanliness
Value for money
Resolving issues
Reviewer submitted review independently

I went to see a Citoren C1 on Saturday. My daughter test drove it and the clutch was high. We were interested if they helped to resolve the issue. The salesman argued with us, tried to force us into a sale with quite a strong demeanor. Im still waiting for my £98 reserve fee and I paid £2000 more for a better car but the service at Arnold Clark was second to none. No pressure and the salesman was lovely. Your company has lost a £10000 dale due to nastiness and bullying tactics. I could name the salesman and the colour team but doubt that would help.

Reviewer has confirmed their email address

+4 Found this review helpful
"Awful service "
1 out of 5 stars
Dealer's knowledgeable
Vehicle cleanliness
Value for money
Resolving issues
Reviewer purchase not verified

1st visit 24th June 2024 - enquired about a DS7 crossback we had seen online. Shocking service from start to finish, we viewed a car before the “prep” stage we discussed with the sales team there was no rush for the car to be completed however they assured us it would of been checked over and valeted within a week. During purchase of the car wrong address was documented on our warranty, tyre cover, finance and receipt from available car. I informed the sales team and this was rectified however what they actually did was change it on all the documents they sent to us but did not inform the companies our warranty, tyre cover or finance was through and this I have had to separately. 2nd visit 30th June 2024 On arrival to pick up our car, the inside was dirty and carpets not cleaned, told it had a full service, there was smears all over the car, scratches, a crack down the drivers window and a smashed indicator light to the wing mirror this was pointed out an appointment made to bring the car back we drove away happy that the faults would be amended. During the wait for the repairs we noticed the service book had not been stamped also we voiced our concerns face to face this being our 3rd visit in July 2024 4th visit - 30th July 2024 The car went in for faults/repairs to be rectified and we discussed the concerns regarding the service, on collection of the car faults not all rectified We discussed our concerns that the cars repairs had not been completed and we was assured that everything would be completed on the next visit … 5th Visit - 7th October on we was told parts needed to be ordered in. And a new service done as they had no documentation to say the service had been completed in the first place. Finally on the 6th visit!! 18th November 2024 everything was completed finally we was satisfied until January 2025 when on the dashboard an electronic message came up saying that a service was due, also February 2025 the back brake lights are also filling up with water. 7th Visit 12th February 2025, I was greeted by a dismissive man at the desk who kindly before even finding out my concerns told me available car would not be able to help, I asked to speak to someone he took a brief note and told me to sit down. Another man came over to me who listened to my concerns, understood my frustration and got his manager to discuss with me. The third man who I spoke with I can only describe as clearly not wanting to help, being dismissive, trying to correct me and making me feel like I was stupid. He told me the service light will be an electrical fault due to the water in the brake lights even though I told him in writing it came up as “service due” this was ignored. He told me warranty doesn’t cover lights or water damage … but told me it was a manufacturing fault on the car make. He told me ahhh we get a lot of DS7s in that I have to send away we always check for water with the lights and it’s a problem most have … but then he told me this is not something we would check on the car before selling. When I questioned him on his multiple contradictions he could not answer me but instead told me to contact DS and he would “reset” the service light, clearly not being confident in what he was doing he comes out with a paper diagram of how to reset the service light, when I asked who to complain to about the service we have received from available car he questioned why I needed to complain. Multiple phone calls to DS dealerships later and trading standards advice we was told available car should take responsibility for the fault as they sold the car without informing us of this issue or checking the see if the recall fault on this make and model needed rectifying before selling. My partner rang later on to check to see if available car would offer a contribution to repairs or even some advice/help and we was greeted with the same manager who was constantly correcting my partner when my partner had listed off the amount of times we have visited the branch he interrupted and informed him it hasn’t been that many times and continued to offer no support. We now have to cover an over £1000 repair due to available car.

+3 Found this review helpful
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Dealership Information

Available Car Castle Donington is an Franchise dealership that is based in Derby. If you’re the owner or employee of this business, please send us a little bit of information about your dealership and why customers should come and visit.

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Manufacturers: Sells a variety of makes and models
Franchise Dealership

Services available
Car Hire
Car Leasing
Car Repairs
Car Sourcing
Finance
GAP Insurance
Motorbike Sales
New Car Sales
Part Exchange
Sell Your Car
Servicing
Used Car Sales
Van Sales
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Ratings
40 reviews1.7 out of 5 stars — Rated Poor
Excellent
3
Very Good
1
Average
8
Poor
7
Terrible
21

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    Address

    Available Car Castle Donington
    Station Road
    Derby
    DE74 2NL

    Get in touch

    0800 996 1280
    https://www.availablecar.com/FindUs/CastleDonington

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    Dealership Statistics

    7%
    Would recommend this dealer to family and friends
    0%
    Percent of reviews responded to by this dealer

    Additional Information About Available Car Castle Donington

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    Directors: XXXXXXXXXX
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