AVOID
AVOID! AVOID! AVOID!
Avoid this garage at all costs.
Bittaford car sale are very friendly when selling you a car, but the customer service disappears the moment any faults arise. I was sold a vehicle with significant issues, despite the garage claiming it had passed a full health check.
Shortly after purchase, extensive corrosion was discovered, suspension components failed, and major gearbox faults left me stranded in a live lane on a dual carriageway. Rather than taking responsibility and upholding my consumer rights to repair or refund the car, they repeatedly tried to push me towards a third-party warranty with limited cover that wasn’t worth the paper it was printed on and avoided dealing with the problems themselves.
They even blocked me from contacting them when trying to come to an arrangement with them.
The whole process became a lengthy and stressful battle. I was forced to buy and insure another vehicle because the one they sold me was unsafe to drive. The only reason I recovered most of my money was through a Section 75 credit card claim. Had I paid entirely by debit card or bank transfer, I would likely have lost thousands.
An impartial and independent inspection by Automotive Consulting Engineers Limited (ACE) found that from the extent of the issues when they inspected the vehicle, the faults were present/developing at the point of sale.
This garage talks a good game when making a sale, but in my experience, they do not stand behind the vehicles they sell. I would never use them again and would strongly recommend looking elsewhere.
Update – Response to the blatant lies in your Reply
Length of Ownership
• The vehicle was purchased in late October, and all major faults arose within 3 months of purchase.
• All faults (corrosion, suspension, and gearbox) were reported to you within the first 3 months, and I was dismissed on several occasions.
• The vehicle became undrivable by the end of January.
• It is factually incorrect to state that I have owned it for “over 10 months” it hasn’t even been 8 months since the purchase.
• I spent approximately 6 weeks out of the country during the initial 3 months of ownership, meaning the vehicle was only used for around 6 weeks before becoming unusable.
MOT & Roadworthiness
• The MOT had been conducted over 6 months and 5,000 miles prior to the date of purchase, so it does not reflect the condition of the vehicle at the time of sale.
• An independent ACE inspection concluded that the faults identified were present and/or developing at the point of sale.
Payment Method
• I have successfully recovered the majority of my losses through my card provider and can provide evidence of this if required.
• You will be aware of this, as you stated to me that you would contest the claim with the bank if I pursued this route. However, when the bank attempted to contact you on two separate occasions, you failed to respond or provide any evidence to challenge my claim.
• I have no doubt that the bank will be, if they have not already been, taking steps to recover from your business the funds they reimbursed to me.
• Your policy regarding credit cards was added to your website shortly after I informed you that I intended to pursue a Section 75 claim.
Communication
• My experience of communication once faults arose was very different from the picture painted in your response.
• I was blocked on the Messenger app by your business, which was the platform used for all communication before and after the purchase.
• I retain evidence of all correspondence.
Honesty & Conduct
• My review is an honest account of my experience and is supported by independent evidence.
• Anyone wishing to verify the facts is welcome to contact me privately, and I will happily provide copies of the ACE report, repair receipts, diagnostic reports, communications between Bittaford Car Sales Ltd and myself, and other supporting documentation.
