Arnold Clark > Reviews (88)

SWIMMING WITH A SHARK

What a terrible service

I bought my first car a year ago from Arnold Clark in Aberdeen (Ford Fiesta 2004). I was told at the time of purchase that it was an excellent car, well looked after with a full service history from, you guessed it Arnold Clark. I advised the sales man that as a first time buyer i was a little wary of buying a second hand car because of any potential problems with it. He assured me again the car was in excellant condition and to prove it he would throw in two years free servicing and MOt as well as a two year auto care cover plan for all parts and labour. We agreed to buy the car on the 20th of March and they arranged for the MOT to be renewed on the 19th for us. At the time we thought all of these things were really nice gestures. We were informed the car had passed its MOt with flying colours and there were no advisory issues to be aware of.

After one year of trouble free driving, I took the car back to Arnold for my free service and MOT.

After a few hours I phoned to be given the bad news that the car had failed the MOT on no less than 5 seperate issues.

Although worried and concerned I was safe in the knowledge that my 100% Arnold Clark Autocare Cover Plan for parts and labour would be put to good use.

When I arrived to discuss the faults I was rudely informed that all 5 issues of failure were either 'wear and tear' or corrosion and that none of them were covered by the plan. Surprised by this I explained that I had the 100% cover plan and was patronised and made to feel very niave when I was told that it was for mechanical cover only. This is not what was advised at the time of purchase.

I was then presented with the bill totalling £633. the main bulk of which was for corroded brake pipes. I asked why the onset of this corrosion was not picked up on the previous MOT and I was told rudely that this had happened within the year since purchase. I then asked if it could happen within a year as they stated was there a chance that I would get another bill the following year. They humbly at this point admitted that no it would not be likely.

After complaining to the manager that all of the faults were not covered and none of them were picked up on the previous MOT he offered me 10% reduction in labour costs. He said this would be a discount of £48. Being quite quick at maths I worked out that this meant the labour alone would cost £480 of the original £633. I asked how long the work would take and I was told it would take about 3 and a half hours. Now thats expensive labour!!!!!!!

The worst part is that the lady on the phone and the lady at reception as well as the manager led me to believe that the car was unroadworthy and i would not be allowed to drive it away as it was illegal and I would have t leave the car with them until the work was done. Being new to this I believed them, luckily a friend advised me that as my previous MOt was still valid I could take my car and go elsewhere for a second opinion. When challenged the manager reluctantly confirmed this to be true.

I have since taken my car and gone elsewhere the repairs in total have cost alot less and two points of failure were not even mentioned. However, some of the corrosion was serious and had been developing for much more than a year so should definatley have been acknowledged at the previous MOT when tha car was in Arnolds hands.

What a terrible and disgustiing way to treat their customers. NEVER EVER AGAIN!!!!!