“Purchased an Audi from Arnold Clark's Leyland Branch in October 2023 after a seemingly smooth transaction with Jamie Whittington as our sales rep. The vehicle was advertised with a 'Full Service History,' a promise that quickly evaporated once our deposit was placed.
Jamie conveniently disappeared after the sale, leaving us struggling to get any support or information. Our complaints were met with disbelief and accusations of dishonesty until a video they provided clearly mentioned the service history in the glove compartment.
Post-purchase, within 500 miles, the car exhibited a strong petrol odor and engine issues. The AA diagnosed faulty injectors covered under their 60-day warranty. This makes me question if their reluctance to provide service details was to hide existing issues.
Disappointed by the lack of support, accountability, and the questionable condition of the vehicle upon arrival. Buyer beware of promises that vanish post-sale and a lack of transparency regarding vehicle history and issues."
They may have great reviews on face to face sales but be aware if you are purchasing from them on a distance sale process that’s when all the cards will come tumbling down.
There’s more to this story I just hope this helps future buyers making more of an informed purchase decision from these snakes”
“Customer service is brilliant, up until they have sold you the car. Then you will find the service department waste your time, patronise you and contradict themselves. I raised an issue with my vehicle at the Riversway branch in Preston and it took them over a month to book me in. Despite me having told them exactly what the issue was they took over 7 hours to agree that I was correct and then told me there would be nothing they could do until late January, leaving me with a defective vehicle for over 2 months. The customer service representative was extremely patronising and seemed to want to pass blame on to another member of their team, directly contradicting each other. Think seriously before using Arnold Clark, their sales team did an excellent job but the customer service is utterly shocking.”
“Purchased a nearly new car from AC a year ago, car lost power on fast lane of motorway on 27/11/23. Rang them only to be told, warranty runs out in 2 days and we can’t fit you in until mid January. Receptionist was curt and kept talking over the top of me, then my calls were ignored. What. Impounded the issue was not being supplied with owners manual, service history or warranty details.”
“Absolutely no customer service. They are not interested in providing any service.
My car has been in for repair since the end of September. I was told it would be December “worst case scenario” for it to be repaired.
I asked for an update recently and was told no timescales can be given as they have a backlog and there are cars that have been there for 6 months waiting for repairs.
When I asked what Arnold Clark were doing to address this I was told it was an internal matter and not discussed with customers.
Be very careful about using Arnold Clark. They don’t provide any customer service and if I ever get my car back I know I will never buy a car or use them for service or repairs ever again”
“Hey there Darren marsh here, got an Absolute pristine 66 plate audi A6 56k on it from CB Autos in Kirkcaldy, and Guess what my very good condition vw Passat Tech edition 2014 with 74k on which Aronld Clark offered me £4700 for Laughable I got £6650 trade in for my car just goes to show how much Arnold Clark are Robbing people on the cars they are buying and Trading in, I have bought 13 cars off Arnold Clark in a 28 year period and I am so anti Rip off Arnold Clark now will never be back please take your buisness elsewhere”
“Have phoned everyday this week and have not received a reply. New car was suppose to be here a week ago and the staff always saying he’s on the phone, has customer with him ,in the rest room will get him to call you back and I’m still waiting.
All I ask is that they reply and let me know when my new car will arrive but instead they ignorantly and arrogantly ignore you. Manager wouldn’t even take the call.
All I’m asking is to show a bit of care and compassion towards their customers and let them know there has been a delay”
“So my son's car has been taken to a main dealer to attempt to fix the numerous issues on his ford focus. He's now been without the car for some days causing issues getting to work extra expense. Arnold Clarke have made absolutely no provision for a loan car whilst his is VOR,my son is still paying his payments for car and has had to pay lump sum on his insurance. The stress 8s taking a toll on him to the point I advised him to return car ,heap of junk and get Arnold Clarke to get another one. Even if fixed, I feel it's going to be an issue of reliability and concern when next issue arises. His friends have bought card elsewhere and have had superb service. My son has sent an e mail to original sales person expressing his concerns. It's no longer a family business as they so righthously state it's a typical no care company as long as we have the money..😡”
“Well where do I start looked at 2 Audi A5,s in 2 different branches both salesman where such shysters and out right con artist liars; I am trading in a very good condition vw Passat 2014 tech edition 2.0 tdi, Arnold Clark are retailing similar models and year for £8288 but hey only offering me £4700😡😡😡 So so Greedy they win on the car they are selling to you, and Rip you right off with the car you are trading in shamefull. I have bought 13 cars off Arnold and will never buy another1 from them as they are rightly named Arnold shark, salesman that nearly had a sale at Linwood Vauxhall told me the A5 2018 I was buying with 73k on it 5 and half years old the timing belt water pump doesn’t need done til 140k laughable no way, another way out for Arnold not to put hand in pocket Arnold Clark are a disgrace and I will never buy from yous again”
“Oh how I wish I’d seen the reviews I would have steered well clear.
So I bought an Audi Q3 online from the Aberdeen store. After all, as advertised all vehicles under go a full inspection.
Before buying the car I asked when the timing belt and water pump had been replaced, they responded and confirmed a zero costed invoice was provided.
12 month MOT was conducted by Arnold Clark. I MUST, emphasise take your vehicle to an independent garage for an MOT.
I collected the vehicle and there was a missing head rest, grinding noise with the brakes, nav system was faulty.after numerous calls/emails it was evident that they were not interested in fixing the issue.
I took the car to an Audi garage and asked them to investigate the issues. I was then told the rear coil spring was broken.
After digging my heels in the nav system, coil springs were repaired at an Audi garage. The vehicle should not have passed its mot
The brakes are corroded and the cause of the grinding noise. They will not pay to repair the brakes because they can be cleaned. However, I was told by Nic at the Aberdeen branch they do not clean brakes because they are unreliable and temp fixes. Furthermore, other garages will not clean brakes. I brought this to the general managers attention and was invited to take my car over 100 miles to an Arnold Clark service centre, er no. I have lost two days work already taking the vehicle to get repaired. All vehicles come with a pre inspection (I did ask for a copy of what was checked) guess what, still waiting and the issues would have been picked up, had the vehicle been inspected
I took the vehicle to a MOT testing station as I had doubts to the integrity Arnold Clark staff. The car has two advisories suspension mounts perished. Again, the vehicles are inspected by their trained technicians and MOT inspector.
The car is under warranty and I made them aware the advisories on the MOT, and for them to arrange repair, no reply from them.
I have now reported them to DVSA that I was sold an unroadworthy vehicle.
I have raised a complaint with the Motor Ombudsman for them to investigate and make them pay for the repairs, compensate me for selling me a unroadworthy vehicle.
It is the only way to deal with them.”
“If I could put zero I would - looking at the reviews already here I totally agree with the great service when you buy the car but zero service when its a warranty issue. My son bought a car less than 11 months ago - we had advised them that the back springs are servery corroded and been advised that this is not covered under warranty - have advise Arnold Clark that if my son is in an accident I will be holding Arnold Clark fully responsible. To pass an MOT the bulb needed replaced advised they would charge £50 plus VAT - went to Halford who supplied and fitted for £15.5- - do not be fouled by the sales guys in Arnold Clark because if you have a warranty issues there is never any courtesy cars available. My husband car has also had a certain issue twice and has had to wait over weeks for them to repair with no courtesy car either - I would not buy a wheelie bin from them - BE AWARE OF ANY ARNOLD CLARK DEALERSHIP THEY ARE ONLY WANTING YOUR MONEY AND TRY AND CHARGE YOU FOR WARRANTY WORK ITS A JOKE AND THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED IN ONE OF THEIR CARS”
“I was hesitant to leave feedback but i best do, I bought a car in June 2023, it was bought from Garscube Glasgow branch, after sending it to my local branch in York the catalogue of faults that it had I wonder where or who they bought the car from
The car itself was not roadworthy after 20 miles of driving I heard a loud noise only to find the sensor had gone, I took it back to my local branch only for it to be held there for weeks with no call back.. I ended up calling them asking them why no call back and how much longer they are going to hold it on for they said a few more days as they “had a few technicians on holiday”
I waited till I waited no more then I just went in got the keys and drove slowly to a garage and asked them to do the work they told me the car had faulty sensors which would cost £150 and then also faulty break discs which costed another £325, there was 2 tyres also was on the verge of going another £80 each (possibly more to follow as the car could have been off the road for a long time).
This coming from a company who sells the greatest second hand cars in the country.. needless to say I got the work done paid the garage (as I couldn’t be bothered contacting Arnold clarke anymore) and told myself this was a learning curve
Now I take this car in for regular checks every 8-12 weeks and got it to somewhat roadworthy state (which it should have been in the first place) but buyers beware Arnold clarke don’t care at all about you, they charge extortionate amount of money for basic work, just buy from elsehwhere and get the car fully checked by professionals if not sure of the condition before parting with your money”
“Tried to charge me £50 to replace a headlight bulb on my Astra before admitting they could do it for £9.
Have had a constant problem with leaky tyre valves since buying the vehicle. Despite repeated complaints to Arnold Clark about this issue, they charged me £140 to investigate issue before telling me it’s out of warranty and quoting me over £200 to fix”
“I was sold a car in august after a week I rang to say something wasn’t right
The head Gasket had gone and corrosion on break pads! Luckily I noticed in my 30 day warranty.
The car clearly was not checked before it was sold to me!
They have had my car for 3 weeks and now I’m not getting any call backs or answers
Do not buy a car from Arnold Clark they are clearly not committedf to treating customers fairly!”
“I’m never buying a car from Arnold Clark again. They are just cheats.
Bought a Toyota Yaris on PCP for my fiancé on the 5th of September and it was valued at £16,348. I’m certain the value of their cars are over inflated because ONE MONTH and ONE WEEK later, I found a bigger car because this one is quite small and wanted to go for it. Apparently the car is now valued by Arnold Clark at £13,279. How is this possible? If this was after maybe 2 years then it might be believable. But after 5 weeks the car has lost that much value, so I basically have to cover £4k of my own money to settle the finance because the settlement figure with VW finance company is £17,300. The same thing happened with my own previous car from Arnold Clark and the car “lost value” of over £2k in less than a year. This is surely a scam.
Absolutely ridiculous!!”
“Wonderful friendly people who will sell you the car if your dreams. They'll be your best friend as you sign the form and drive away.
Do not under any circumstances go back. They will ruin your car. They will charge you twice for the same part, refuse your warranty claim and leave your car unlocked outside for weeks with a flat battery flat tyres and covered in leaves and bird dirt.
They'll send you sarcastic emails and customer services will simply ignore you.”
“Booked my car in to diagnose a knocking noise - they told me the front steering rack needed replacing - cost of £1,000! Had no option but to book it in to get done. On the day another mechanic took the car and can back 10 minutes later to tell me it was done- all he did was tighten 2 bolts! It’s been great ever since - even passed an MOT! Arnold Shark!😡”
“Bought a 2018 mustang from them was told it had service history. When I went to pick it up was told " oh it was on passenger seat someone must have moved it we will get it sent out to you" 1yr later after many calls and emails told we don't sell used cars with service history we only try to get it. Thst was from there Customer service team! Absoluty shocking £28.500 for a mustang with no service history they seen me coming!! Avoid at all cost any dealing with this group they really don't give a toss after you sign the papers.”
