Auto Emporium Bristol - www.autoemporiumbristol.co.uk
Customer Service
Value For Money
Auto Emporium Bristol - www.autoemporiumbristol.co.uk
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User Reviews
Would Not Buy From This Company Again Or Recommend
would not buy from this company again or recommend to anyone to buy anything from them, i bought a BMW 3 series from them and 24 hours later ended up in a garage and found out that even though it had a full service and mot the day before i picked it up the suspension was fitted upside down and had problems with the main pullys in the engine but i had taken out the extended warranty but this was also miss sold as they did not pay out due to this garage, they also still have not sent me the wheel locking nut key and i have been waiting for this for five months so if i break down i can not change the wheel. do not buy from here no matter how good it may seem at the time.
Cowboy Traders
Please don't fall into the same trap as me, bought 04 mondeo diesel back in november, 1st 2 weeks car in garage, still have problems garage not interested. even though given 3 months warrenty.
Customer Service
Value For Money
Auto Emporium Bristol/ Moto Emporium Bristol
This company sold me a unroadworthy car in 2011. After failing to get reimbursement,I took them to court (small claims on line). Which I won and have received my money. The only way is to find out the managing directors name.( Michael Oldfield) He keeps changing the company name. Do not confuse with Auto Emporium Ltd , Hertfordshire. Please do the same and get this rouge out of business.
Customer Service
Value For Money
Shocking Company - Cowboys
THE MOST UNPROFESSIONAL BUSINESS I HAVE EVER PURCHASED ANYTHING FROM. SHOCKING CUSTOMER SERVICE - AVOID AT ALL COSTS AND BUY A CAR ELSEWHERE.
Sold me a car which did not start the next day, called them to explain and was told it was probably the battery, down to me to sort out.
I had to pay for a battery from my own money which did not fix the problem. Called them back and they had blocked my number from going through to them. Called out the RAC who told me the Starter motor was faulty. Called Motor Emporium BRISTOL on a withheld number and they picked up. Told me very busy so would call me back. Never called back so I tried again 2 hours later and was told that it was not their problem as guarantee only covers if engine blows up or the gear box fails. The fact that they sold me a dodgy car didn't bother them in the slightest. Now have to pay £80 for a new one.
Thanks for nothing you bunch of ROGUE TRADERS.
STAY AWAY FROM THESE CLOWNS!
Here is how I managed to get my money back. Please note that this is a lengthy process, hence the long message. I will try to include everything I found out. Please note that I am not from a legal background but will pass on everything I found out.
Firstly, I spoke with trading standards. They advised I write a letter stating The Sales of Goods Act 1979. They advise you on the lay out of the letter. Send it recorded delivery. Give him a decent amount of time to respond. If no contact you can then send a second letter, giving him a decent amount of time to respond. Trading standards like to think that at this stage a company will give you your money back. However, we all know that this company are not fazed by the sales of goods act and the threat of trading standards.
Next, I spoke with a legal team via my bank. If you pay an account fee for the privilege of an overdraft, or have insurance for your phone through your bank, it is likely that you have a legal helpline alongside this. I am with Barclays and the advice I got from the legal team was excellent. I couldn’t do it without them. They told me everything I need to know about the small claims process.
So, here goes…to make a small claim visit money claim online (google it) and you need to file a notice. This costs £80 but you will get this back if you win the case. Keep record of all receipts as you can claim back everything. Follow the form, be accurate. I claimed for the mail I sent recorded delivery, the additional insurance I had to pay to use someone else’s car and the car itself of course. Depending on the total you are claiming for, you get a daily percentage rate added onto your claim. For example, the percentage of my claim incurred a daily rate of 47p added to the total of my claim. The form is submitted online and it will be couriered to the company and signed for. The company then has 14 days to either 1) admit that what you are claiming for is right 2) file a defence 3) request a further 14 days. I suggest that you don’t contact the company at all, and if they contact you…you should tell them that they need to respond via the small claims court. If you have not heard anything after 14 days, you can then file for judgement. You do this via your money claim online login. This means that the company has another 14 days to respond to you otherwise it will go to court. If it goes to court, the judge will decide. If the judge decides in your favour, he will order the company to pay and send in the bailiffs if necessary. No company wants a court judgement against them so it is unlikely to get to this stage.
So, in my case…I was ignored after the 2nd letter that trading standards advised. I filed for notice and then had a very polite email from the company offering me repair. I respond via recorded delivery letter saying that he must be aware that I have started a small claim and that my request if of a full refund not repair. I also requested that he respond via money claim online. I spoke with my bank for more advice. They initially said that it would look badly on me if I refuse the offer of repair; however the company still had a week to respond to the notice. I did take my car to my local garage to get a quotation for a full repair and I did send a copy to the company so they could see that I am being reasonable but in my letter I highlighted that it would be financially better for him to give me a full refund. The company didn’t respond as I requested (or advised by money claim online) within the 14 days so I filed for judgement. Within a few days of doing this I had a phone call from the company offering me a full refund. And so my nightmare was over. The money was transferred straight into my bank account.
My biggest suggestion would be to see it through, the sooner you claim the better. Remain polite throughout your correspondence and conversations with the company. Keep to the facts. Get advice from your local garage on the condition of the car. You can claim back any of these costs. It is frustrating if he doesn’t get back to you…but this actually work in your favour so be patient.
If you opt for a repair from him, I suggest that you choose the garage. The garage he uses must be gaining from this also as you will see from previous reviews some cars have been passed MOT when a second opinion has confirmed that it should of failed. My car was sold to me with no advisories, but my garage issued multiple problems and said that it only just about passed.
I hope this has helped. If you would like any more info, get in touch. Good Luck!
Customer Service
Value For Money
Their Poor Reputation Shouldn't Damage Others
As other reviewers have said please don't confuse with Auto Emporium Hertfordshire. I also bought from Auto Emporium Hertfordshire and found them an excellent company to deal with - highly professional. Their reputation should certainly not be tarnished by Auto Emporium Bristol/Moto Emporium. Auto Emporium Hertfordshire have been in business for some years now. They are well known and highly respected by the industry and their customers
Don't Confuse Auto Emporium Bristol With Auto Emporium Ltd
PLEASE DON'T CONFUSE AUTO EMPORIUM BRISTOL WITH AUTO EMPORIUM LTD, HERTS
They are two very different companies - I am very pleased with my experience with AUTO EMPORIUM LTD, HERTS when I went back to purchase a second car, which was a very classy BMW, with full service history and the car has been a dream. The person I dealt with was very professional, knew his stock and cars very well, he showed me a couple of cars and I finally settled on the BMW; we took it for a test drive and the car drove beautifully, was immaculate with low mileage and I'm very happy with it...and this is the second time I've purchased a vehicle, the first was for my daughter and I then decided to go back for myself.
AUTO EMPORIUM LTD, HERTFORDSHIRE is a family run business and in this economy it would be a sin to get this very professional company confused with any other.
Take a look at their website AUTOEMPORIUMLIMITED.CO.UK AND CALL THEM FIRST if you're looking for great car and great service...DON'T CONFUSE THEM WITH THE OTHER OUTFIT.
Auto Emporium Bristol
Please do not confuse this company with the fantastic company called Auto Emporium in Hertfordshire, Essex. They are NOT the same company, and do not have any links with each other. I purchased a car from the Essex company and they couldn't do enough for me and the guy I dealt with was excellent. I love my car and I would highly recommend the company to anyone. It is is a shame that the company in Bristol has a similar name, because they ARE NOT THE SAME COMPANY AT ALL!
Avoid At All Costs
these people sold me an unroadworthy car with anillegal MOT. They have refused to refund my money and return my trade in. They are utter pigs.
Here is how I managed to get my money back. Please note that this is a lengthy process, hence the long message. I will try to include everything I found out. Please note that I am not from a legal background but will pass on everything I found out.
Firstly, I spoke with trading standards. They advised I write a letter stating The Sales of Goods Act 1979. They advise you on the lay out of the letter. Send it recorded delivery. Give him a decent amount of time to respond. If no contact you can then send a second letter, giving him a decent amount of time to respond. Trading standards like to think that at this stage a company will give you your money back. However, we all know that this company are not fazed by the sales of goods act and the threat of trading standards.
Next, I spoke with a legal team via my bank. If you pay an account fee for the privilege of an overdraft, or have insurance for your phone through your bank, it is likely that you have a legal helpline alongside this. I am with Barclays and the advice I got from the legal team was excellent. I couldn’t do it without them. They told me everything I need to know about the small claims process.
So, here goes…to make a small claim visit money claim online (google it) and you need to file a notice. This costs £80 but you will get this back if you win the case. Keep record of all receipts as you can claim back everything. Follow the form, be accurate. I claimed for the mail I sent recorded delivery, the additional insurance I had to pay to use someone else’s car and the car itself of course. Depending on the total you are claiming for, you get a daily percentage rate added onto your claim. For example, the percentage of my claim incurred a daily rate of 47p added to the total of my claim. The form is submitted online and it will be couriered to the company and signed for. The company then has 14 days to either 1) admit that what you are claiming for is right 2) file a defence 3) request a further 14 days. I suggest that you don’t contact the company at all, and if they contact you…you should tell them that they need to respond via the small claims court. If you have not heard anything after 14 days, you can then file for judgement. You do this via your money claim online login. This means that the company has another 14 days to respond to you otherwise it will go to court. If it goes to court, the judge will decide. If the judge decides in your favour, he will order the company to pay and send in the bailiffs if necessary. No company wants a court judgement against them so it is unlikely to get to this stage.
So, in my case…I was ignored after the 2nd letter that trading standards advised. I filed for notice and then had a very polite email from the company offering me repair. I respond via recorded delivery letter saying that he must be aware that I have started a small claim and that my request if of a full refund not repair. I also requested that he respond via money claim online. I spoke with my bank for more advice. They initially said that it would look badly on me if I refuse the offer of repair; however the company still had a week to respond to the notice. I did take my car to my local garage to get a quotation for a full repair and I did send a copy to the company so they could see that I am being reasonable but in my letter I highlighted that it would be financially better for him to give me a full refund. The company didn’t respond as I requested (or advised by money claim online) within the 14 days so I filed for judgement. Within a few days of doing this I had a phone call from the company offering me a full refund. And so my nightmare was over. The money was transferred straight into my bank account.
My biggest suggestion would be to see it through, the sooner you claim the better. Remain polite throughout your correspondence and conversations with the company. Keep to the facts. Get advice from your local garage on the condition of the car. You can claim back any of these costs. It is frustrating if he doesn’t get back to you…but this actually work in your favour so be patient.
If you opt for a repair from him, I suggest that you choose the garage. The garage he uses must be gaining from this also as you will see from previous reviews some cars have been passed MOT when a second opinion has confirmed that it should of failed. My car was sold to me with no advisories, but my garage issued multiple problems and said that it only just about passed.
I hope this has helped. If you would like any more info, get in touch. Good Luck!
Customer Service
Value For Money
Stay Away - Rogue Traders - Dangerous Car Sold
STAY AWAY – IM TAKING TO COURT – PLEASE DONT BUY FROM THIS COMPNAY
I have recently purchased a car from this company. I took it for a test drive (Sunday 5th Feb ’12) and felt that everything was ok, feeling happy I put a £200 depsoit. I was told I would have a new MOT and 12 months tax. It was agreed that I would pick the car up 3 days later (Wednesday), and that he would let me know that it went through its MOT ok.
Having not heard anything from them, I phoned Wednesday morning to ensure that it was still ok to be picked up later today (I was travelling by train). I was advised that they found a fault with the electric windows and were waiting for VW to arrive with a new switch, they were hoping it would arrive before noon. I was told they would ring me. I phoned again at about 13:00 as I would be needing to leave for my train shortly and was told that the part still hasnt arrived. I agreed to pick the car up the next day instead. They phoned me later that day to say that the switch still hadnt arrived but are confident that it will be with them the next day and would let me know if any different.
The next day, I had no phone calls and was assuming that all was ok to collect the car as planned. Instinct told me to ring to double check, and I was told that it the part still hadnt arrived. I was told that I would be called back within the hour. Two hours later, still no phone call so I phoned them and they said they would chase VW to find where the part was. I had a phone call back saying that there was no guarantee that it would be ready today and for the inconvenience they would put a tank of fuel in for me. It was agreed to collect the car on Sunday 12th Feb ’12.
I sent an email expressing my dissatisfaction in their poor customer service and outlined the financial implications to me through not having access to a car. I had a reply, apologising and agee to give me back £75 to cover my costs.
On collection, I was told that he made an error and only 6 months tax had been purchased so I also needed reimbursing for that. I settled up and drove the car home.
At home that evening, I mentioned to my boyfriends dad that it crunched in 3rd gear a few times on my way home – I put it down to me getting used to the car. He offered to take it around the block for me. This is when I came across my first problem. The central locking did not open the passenger door, and when I tried to open the passenger door with the key…the key wouldnt fit in the lock, as I pulled the key away the entire lock barrell came out of the door.
I came across my 2nd problem when I tried to access the car the next morning. The same thing happened to the drivers door. With no central locking and no keys to work either doors my only access to the car was via the boot. Clearly, this is very unsafe and very unpractible.
By this point I was losing faith in the car and the company I bought it from. Having a bad feeling about how helpful they were going to be I sought advice from trading standards who stated that I am quite within my right to request a full refund despite the offer of a repair, and that I was entitled to this under the sales of goods act. I telephoned the company, and was told that it was unfortunate the door locks had fallen out. I asked how we go about arranging a repair and explained that I was reluctant to travel back to his garage due to the distance, and the inconvenience already caused due to me not having a car. I was firstly told that it was my problem and that I should have thought of this before I bought a car so far away (60 miles).
I was then told that if I get ‘various quotes from various garages’ let him know the prices and ‘Ill decide what Im prepared to pay’. I asked for this in writing and my reply was ‘No, you might go to VW and it might cost £500. Im not going to pay that am I?’
I was told that they would not give me a refund under any circumstances, and stated that as he had offered a repair I wasnt entitled to a refund. This is not true, I clarified this again with trading standards.
A friend of mine phoned the company again for me to explain my rights and request a refund. She was told ‘Im not interested’ and he hung up.
As advised by trading standards I sent a formal letter and requested a reply by Tuesday 21st February.
I had no reply so contacted the company again. He tried to tell me that my letter allowed 14 days to respond, but this is not true. I received an email saying that I am not having a refund but that he was prepared to reimburse me any repair.
Feeling fed up, I gave my local garage a call and took the car to be assessed by them. Today, I had feedback from my garage that the car has multiple problems – passenger lock and handle doesnt belong to car, car has previously beenbroken into and repaired with filler and spray painted, the brake pipe is kinked, there is an oil leak from the gear box and it jumped out of 3rd gear on their test drive too, one of the wheels is not the same as the other wheels. My radiator water warning light is also on. My garage suspects long term problems with the gear box. The car has had extensive repair with filler.
I have decided, after reading reviews on this site, not to go through with the repair as it seems unlikely that I would get my money back. I have reported this company to watchdog and am taking him to the small claims court. I am declaring the car off the road.
My advice is to stay well away from this company.
Here is how I managed to get my money back. Please note that this is a lengthy process, hence the long message. I will try to include everything I found out. Please note that I am not from a legal background but will pass on everything I found out.
Firstly, I spoke with trading standards. They advised I write a letter stating The Sales of Goods Act 1979. They advise you on the lay out of the letter. Send it recorded delivery. Give him a decent amount of time to respond. If no contact you can then send a second letter, giving him a decent amount of time to respond. Trading standards like to think that at this stage a company will give you your money back. However, we all know that this company are not fazed by the sales of goods act and the threat of trading standards.
Next, I spoke with a legal team via my bank. If you pay an account fee for the privilege of an overdraft, or have insurance for your phone through your bank, it is likely that you have a legal helpline alongside this. I am with Barclays and the advice I got from the legal team was excellent. I couldn’t do it without them. They told me everything I need to know about the small claims process.
So, here goes…to make a small claim visit money claim online (google it) and you need to file a notice. This costs £80 but you will get this back if you win the case. Keep record of all receipts as you can claim back everything. Follow the form, be accurate. I claimed for the mail I sent recorded delivery, the additional insurance I had to pay to use someone else’s car and the car itself of course. Depending on the total you are claiming for, you get a daily percentage rate added onto your claim. For example, the percentage of my claim incurred a daily rate of 47p added to the total of my claim. The form is submitted online and it will be couriered to the company and signed for. The company then has 14 days to either 1) admit that what you are claiming for is right 2) file a defence 3) request a further 14 days. I suggest that you don’t contact the company at all, and if they contact you…you should tell them that they need to respond via the small claims court. If you have not heard anything after 14 days, you can then file for judgement. You do this via your money claim online login. This means that the company has another 14 days to respond to you otherwise it will go to court. If it goes to court, the judge will decide. If the judge decides in your favour, he will order the company to pay and send in the bailiffs if necessary. No company wants a court judgement against them so it is unlikely to get to this stage.
So, in my case…I was ignored after the 2nd letter that trading standards advised. I filed for notice and then had a very polite email from the company offering me repair. I respond via recorded delivery letter saying that he must be aware that I have started a small claim and that my request if of a full refund not repair. I also requested that he respond via money claim online. I spoke with my bank for more advice. They initially said that it would look badly on me if I refuse the offer of repair; however the company still had a week to respond to the notice. I did take my car to my local garage to get a quotation for a full repair and I did send a copy to the company so they could see that I am being reasonable but in my letter I highlighted that it would be financially better for him to give me a full refund. The company didn’t respond as I requested (or advised by money claim online) within the 14 days so I filed for judgement. Within a few days of doing this I had a phone call from the company offering me a full refund. And so my nightmare was over. The money was transferred straight into my bank account.
My biggest suggestion would be to see it through, the sooner you claim the better. Remain polite throughout your correspondence and conversations with the company. Keep to the facts. Get advice from your local garage on the condition of the car. You can claim back any of these costs. It is frustrating if he doesn’t get back to you…but this actually work in your favour so be patient.
If you opt for a repair from him, I suggest that you choose the garage. The garage he uses must be gaining from this also as you will see from previous reviews some cars have been passed MOT when a second opinion has confirmed that it should of failed. My car was sold to me with no advisories, but my garage issued multiple problems and said that it only just about passed.
I hope this has helped. If you would like any more info, get in touch. Good Luck!
I am also experiencing problems with this company. Would you be able to chat with me so we can exchange notes on how to deal with it.
Customer Service
Value For Money
Auto Emporium - Bristol, Uk - Poor Customer Service
My step daughter found a second hand Honda Civic Estate at a garage called Auto Emporium (www.autoemporiumbristol.co.uk) in Bristol via the internet which she liked the look of so we both went to check it out. We test drove it. It had low pressure in one tyre, very little fuel and perhaps we should have taken this as a warning but apart from these two things it drove ok. I gave it a good look around and generally it seemed in good condition for the year. Before we bought it we rang the garage that maintained it for the previous owner and they said the car had been well maintained and said that they had looked after for quite a few years. Based on this we bought it for £950 sold as seen and traded in a rather old Golf TDI for £150. Up to this point the staff at Auto Emporium were friendly and accommodating, so far, so good.
After we bought it we spotted that one window didn’t close properly which we had missed it when we looked at it but fair enough, we accepted that. A few days later the following faults occurred that were not acceptable:
• The engine management system light came on intermittently and then after a while just stayed on
• The engine started to rev erratically
• A knocking underneath started to occur especially when reversing
• An excessive amount of fuel was being used
We contacted Auto Emporium and took it in for their garage to look at. To cut a long story short, that catalytic converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. They estimated £500 to fix this fault at our cost. We checked with a garage that we used regularly and they confirmed the fault but estimated less to fix it. There was a basic 3 month warranty but this did not cover this fault. We weren’t very happy about this as it was not apparent at the time of inspection so we contacted trading standards for their advice and they said “sold as seen” is irrelevant, the car needs to be fit for purpose and we were advised to request the following from Auto Emporium:
• Rectify the significant faults using the warranty if possible and making up the difference as appropriate.
• Take the car back in exchange for another car (fit for purpose) and we will pay the difference as appropriate
• Take the car back, issue a refund and as appropriate, return the traded in Golf TDI
After a series of letters, emails, phone calls and visits I finally get to speak to the proprietor who tells us that he doesn’t care what trading standards says he is not going to do any of the above but will help us to fix it at a reasonable cost via a garage they know. He says that he will get them to call us. This never happened even though we phone and email many times.
By now this is taking up quite a bit of time, we are not making much progress and to pursue it further would turn it into a saga that would take up even more time with no guarantee of a successful outcome and is one we will have to put down to experience but it seems fair to make known our experience.
Suffice to say, they will not be getting any more business from us.
So the main points when dealing with Auto Emporium were:
• They were friendly whilst making the sale (to be honest they were never unfriendly) and delivered the car in clean condition with a tax disc they obtained but which naturally we paid for.
• With the benefit of hindsight they appear to value a customer in line with the value of the car they are selling at the time.
• If anything goes wrong post sale they will stall and hope you go away.
• The proprietor will seldom answer emails, messages left on the phone or with other members of staff. They will try to go to ground.
• And as the garage they said would ring us never did, it’s possible they simply lied to us but we cannot know for sure.
Here is how I managed to get my money back. Please note that this is a lengthy process, hence the long message. I will try to include everything I found out. Please note that I am not from a legal background but will pass on everything I found out.
Firstly, I spoke with trading standards. They advised I write a letter stating The Sales of Goods Act 1979. They advise you on the lay out of the letter. Send it recorded delivery. Give him a decent amount of time to respond. If no contact you can then send a second letter, giving him a decent amount of time to respond. Trading standards like to think that at this stage a company will give you your money back. However, we all know that this company are not fazed by the sales of goods act and the threat of trading standards.
Next, I spoke with a legal team via my bank. If you pay an account fee for the privilege of an overdraft, or have insurance for your phone through your bank, it is likely that you have a legal helpline alongside this. I am with Barclays and the advice I got from the legal team was excellent. I couldn’t do it without them. They told me everything I need to know about the small claims process.
So, here goes…to make a small claim visit money claim online (google it) and you need to file a notice. This costs £80 but you will get this back if you win the case. Keep record of all receipts as you can claim back everything. Follow the form, be accurate. I claimed for the mail I sent recorded delivery, the additional insurance I had to pay to use someone else’s car and the car itself of course. Depending on the total you are claiming for, you get a daily percentage rate added onto your claim. For example, the percentage of my claim incurred a daily rate of 47p added to the total of my claim. The form is submitted online and it will be couriered to the company and signed for. The company then has 14 days to either 1) admit that what you are claiming for is right 2) file a defence 3) request a further 14 days. I suggest that you don’t contact the company at all, and if they contact you…you should tell them that they need to respond via the small claims court. If you have not heard anything after 14 days, you can then file for judgement. You do this via your money claim online login. This means that the company has another 14 days to respond to you otherwise it will go to court. If it goes to court, the judge will decide. If the judge decides in your favour, he will order the company to pay and send in the bailiffs if necessary. No company wants a court judgement against them so it is unlikely to get to this stage.
So, in my case…I was ignored after the 2nd letter that trading standards advised. I filed for notice and then had a very polite email from the company offering me repair. I respond via recorded delivery letter saying that he must be aware that I have started a small claim and that my request if of a full refund not repair. I also requested that he respond via money claim online. I spoke with my bank for more advice. They initially said that it would look badly on me if I refuse the offer of repair; however the company still had a week to respond to the notice. I did take my car to my local garage to get a quotation for a full repair and I did send a copy to the company so they could see that I am being reasonable but in my letter I highlighted that it would be financially better for him to give me a full refund. The company didn’t respond as I requested (or advised by money claim online) within the 14 days so I filed for judgement. Within a few days of doing this I had a phone call from the company offering me a full refund. And so my nightmare was over. The money was transferred straight into my bank account.
My biggest suggestion would be to see it through, the sooner you claim the better. Remain polite throughout your correspondence and conversations with the company. Keep to the facts. Get advice from your local garage on the condition of the car. You can claim back any of these costs. It is frustrating if he doesn’t get back to you…but this actually work in your favour so be patient.
If you opt for a repair from him, I suggest that you choose the garage. The garage he uses must be gaining from this also as you will see from previous reviews some cars have been passed MOT when a second opinion has confirmed that it should of failed. My car was sold to me with no advisories, but my garage issued multiple problems and said that it only just about passed.
I hope this has helped. If you would like any more info, get in touch. Good Luck!
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