Paula R

AVOID THIS COMPANY AT ALL COST!!

**AVOID AFFORDABLE CARS OF KENT at All Costs: A Cautionary Tale** 1 star is too much If you’re in the market for a used car, consider this your warning: steer clear of this dealership. My experience, which began in March 2025, has been nothing short of a nightmare, and it’s one I believe others should be spared from enduring. When I first dealt with George at the dealership, I was misled from the start. After paying a non-refundable deposit—under the impression that the vehicle was roadworthy—I was assured that repairs were being handled alongside a full MOT. I left with peace of mind, but that quickly evaporated upon collecting my new Peugeot 3008 2016 plate . The car, as we recorded on video during the collection, emitted concerning sounds from under the hood, which my husband and I promptly pointed out. The mechanic, Dan, dismissed our concerns, claiming it was typical for a larger vehicle with a smaller engine. Less than 24 hours after driving the car home, I took it to my trusted mechanic and then another independant mechanic . His diagnosis was alarming: a faulty flywheel clutch kit that would set me back approximately £1,800 to fix. Reluctantly, I returned to the dealership for repairs, hoping for resolution. Instead, I encountered rudeness and arrogance from their staff, which left me in tears. With four frustrating trips back and forth to the dealership, they flatly refused to offer a refund—even after the repairs, the car started vibrating again within just ten days. The situation deteriorated further when the vehicle broke down entirely due to a failed engine belt and crankshaft pulley, incurring potential repair costs of hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds, bearing in mind I had driven the car for a total of 8 times since purchasing and the car was mostly back at their showroom than it was with me. Their so-called warranty was worthless at this point, and Neil, the manager, continued to show a shocking lack of empathy or support, insisting that my car was sold as second hand and this is wear and tear, despite its evident faults. To make matters worse, I never received the V5C form, reinforcing the notion that I was solely at their mercy. Despite following my bank’s advice and formally refusing the vehicle via email, the dealership dragged their feet in retrieving the car. I was forced to pay for towing, while my bank tirelessly fought for my refund from May through September, facing resistance from the dealership at every turn—including pre-arbitration and arbitration chargeback cases. Throughout this ordeal, not once did I feel any compassion or understanding from this company. As a mother of disabled children, I faced increased hardships because of their negligence, spending time biking to work instead of focusing on caring for my family. Their communication was painfully slow and dismissive; the moment they had my money, all customer service vanished. Please, do your research before considering a purchase from this dealership. While there may be a few satisfied customers who managed to escape with a functioning vehicle, many others, like myself, have been left frustrated and disillusioned. Companies like this tarnish the reputation of honest dealerships, perpetuating distrust in an industry that should prioritize customer satisfaction. I encourage potential buyers to keep thorough records of all communications and seek independent diagnostic reports. If you find yourself in a similar situation, reach out for assistance from industry watchdogs like the AA—although, disappointingly, they can only offer limited recourse since they don’t vet dealers. Neil said this is what we are doing and if I don't like it take it to court, which I was willing to do because I knew justice would prevail eventually, we are in a country were customer rights are protected. In summary, your hard-earned money deserves better than this deceitful establishment. Protect yourself by heeding this warning and choose a dealership that values its customers and stands behind the vehicles they sell. I'm pretty sure and true to form the company will dismiss my claims which have been very well documented and rebut with some ridiculous claims that it was wear and tear for the year of the car, I was been difficult (which I wasn't, I directed all my eneials and messages on the directions of AA team, bank and other professionals) or some other ridiculous claim as I have seen them do with son many other customers. Their positive reviews most are decades old and as I've mentioned not every car they sell it's going to break down as rapidly as mine did.