Hutton Ltd, Weston-Super-Mare

If the people on this review site think that the standard of service is excellent, it could be that they have ver low standards. I work in the motor trade, in the aftersales department. I know what an excellent level of service should be. I took my Alfa Romeo reluctantly to Huttons for a replacement cambelt as there weren't any Alfa Romeo dealers in my area

I was told that they opened at 8.30a.m. and arrived slightly early, about three minutes. The building was completely in darkness. The building was finally opened at 8.35. I waited in line and was served by a young girl with no people skills whatsoever. She took a copy of my license, she should have contacted the DVLA site for the details of my license and my national insurance number. She then handed me a bunch of keys as stated its the dark blue Panda outside. I then left the garage and because of the nature of my work, had to pass Huttons, twice that morning. At 10.35 my car had not moved. At 10.55 it had still not moved. At 14.10 I received a call to say my car was ready. The jobcard sstated 3 hours for a cambelt change. My car was washed but not hoovered. I have complained to Alfa Romeo about the service and they have stated on three occasions that the Service Manager would contact me. I am still waiting

Before I start the main review, some background.

Earlier this year my company car (a Mini) was due for replacement and the Fiat Panda caught my eye.

I went into Huttons to enquire about the Panda and the sales staff were more than helpful. Even when I mentioned that it would be a company car and therefore not going to be bought through Huttons they were still incredibly helpful. In fact they gave me a test drive there and then.

Anyway coming up to date now. In May of this year my new Fiat Panda 4×4 company car was delivered ….. not from Huttons.

There were a number of problems with the car on delivery, some of which were fixed but there was an annoying brake squeal at low speed which I finally booked in to get fixed. Huttons being my closest Fiat dealer got the job.

I dropped the car off yesterday morning at 8.30 and by 10am they had called me with a summary of the problem – which was a broken brake pad retaining clip. Unfortunately the parts were not in stock but they could get them for the next day. No problem I said, I’ll come back tomorrow. Huttons were very concerned and would not release the car because it wasn’t safe. I’d been driving it for 6 months!!!!.

Anyway, Huttons said they thought the car would be repaired by 11am the next day (today), but they would call me beforehand to let me know what time it would be complete. Before 11am they called to let me know it was done!

When I went to collect, the friendly and helpful team were waiting for me. The car was cleaned and ready to go.

I cannot praise the service highly enough. The communications from Huttons is streets ahead of the 2 Mini dealers I have dealt with. Also infinitely better than the other Fiat dealers I have dealt with. I would absolutely recommend Huttons.

My old Panda developed a fault on the way to work, I dropped in and was informed that my water pump had failed.

They had no loan cars available, even though the service manager tried everything to get me one. So, he reorganised the workshop jobs so that my car could be fixed that day, got me a lift into work and made sure I knew it was ready in good time to arrange collection.

Brilliant customer service, which is the norm at Hutton's.

Thank you so much.

We have just purchased our second car from Hutton and the customer service my wife and I have received has been first class. We dealt with the sales manager with both cars but also on occasions Lorrayne sales executive who is very pleasant with excellent product knowledge. Long may this professionalism continue. Loving the Panda 4x4 stunning car.

I can honestly say, Huttons are the most professional and helpful car dealership I have ever dealt with. I have now purchased 2 used cars and 1 new car from them and on each occasion have had outstanding service from every member of staff I have met. The owner David Hoggarth has always been an absolute gentleman, at each handover thanking me for my business and making sure I knew that I was always welcome to contact him direct should I feel the need. Paul and Lorrayne who work in the showroom make me feel like I am a welcome guest fussing over me at every opportunity and speaking to other customers when my cars have been in for service I know I am not alone in being treated this way.

I purchased a faulty car from this Fiat main dealership at the end of March. It was an '05 Punto with only 2000 miles on the clock. I thought this would be a good car, but with a few days found there was a major fault. I agree that they did not know it was faulty when they sold it, but the fact remains that it was faulty and I was entitled to a total refund.

I told the dealer that I wanted to reject the vehicle under the Sale of Goods Act. The dealer asked for one chance to put it right, which I agreed to. I realise now that this was the wrong choice. The car was fine for almost three weeks and then the same problem recurred.

The DP of the dealership has been constantly arrogant and rude to me. He has been stubbornly adamant that the faults have been caused by driver error and in my opinion has managed to wheedle himself out of his obligations.

Although I have two disabled children and a business to run, I have now not had a vehicle to use for over two months. Under the sale of goods act you cannot use a vehicle which you wish to reject.

A number of letters have gone back and forth and my honesty has been questioned, I have heard accounts of him working on the police behalf, of discussions he has had with barristers and now he has offered to allow one of his mechanics to take me out and teach me how to drive the car.

Three weeks ago, on the advice of Trading Standards, I allowed this dealer to have the car in again for testing.......and low and behold, he changed the ECU. These parts cost a few hundred pounds but they are adamant that they didn't change it because the car was faulty, just to see if it would drive better with a new one. If there were no problems, how could it drive better?

The worst part is that I have recently contacted Fiat to try to get some sense into this equation and they have decided to totally back the dealer!

The moral of this story is, think very hard before you go to Huttons. This was the third car I had bought from there, but loyalty is obviously a foreign word.