Group 1 Automotive US Reviews 121

Had a firm valuation and appointment for my car and when I arrived at the dealership in Lower Dicker, Hailsham, East Sussex, no one was aware of the appointment or valuation. Complete waste of my time. Their on-line valuation service, clearly isn’t linked to their dealerships.

Would not recommend Skoda Southend-On-Sea. Reported a serious issue with my cupra formentor. On many occasions the car would Suddenly slam the breaks on. Even though not near any other vehicles. Reporting the problem to Skoda Southend they informed me the has been a previous problem. Took the car in for service and for this to be looked into. They said they can’t find a fault and it was due to my driving. They gave my car back dirty with warning lights and said they can not help really not happy with the outcome and Will be taking this matter further

I have a record of all calls and emails

I would not recommend Group 1 Ford Farnborough because I explained the importance of me coming to get the car from 2 hours away and not being able to afford to come and view the car. I explained that I wanted to make sure the car was ready to go. I've had to take time off work unpaid not to only collect the car but now go back as the cars bumper paintwork is cracking. The car was poorly presented. I did ask if the car had any marks etc. I let a few go because age of the car you expect odd little bits but cracked paint bumper. chipped windscreen. mark on alloy. multiple marks on doors and paint work. Bumper also looks like its hit something with mutiple scuffs and front bumper is coming away. Fair enough they have agreed to sort the bumper but I have had to pay out train fees, petrol. Time off work and put over 250miles uncessarily on the car which of course damages and devalues the car. I feel they have taken advantage of my situation and I would avoid buying a car from them. I had no choice as they was one of the only garages with my specialist lender but sadly from a big dearlership you wouldn't expect the car and service to be as poor.

I recently purchased a new Range Rover Sport from Group 1 Land Rover Southend and had a fantastic experience. They offer an impressive selection of cars, and I was looked after by Garry Lane, who was incredibly knowledgeable and helpful throughout the process. Highly recommend!

This big company just cares about pushing metal and making money, forget about service after the sale or completing necessary tasks such as license plates, registration, and title issuance. A lawsuit was filed over negligence, they blew it off, they blew off the hearing, and now that there is a default judgment against them, all of a sudden (go figure) they have their attys involved! Gee what a surprise! When the shoe is on the other foot meaning them- they start to care! Ridiculous! They surely proved they did not care.

Oh how I want my lease to end and then I can get away from this terrible company. Lots of calls to go for a service, so I took it. Then I got a call saying what did I want them to do? You asked me to drop it off for a service. Not required they said. When I grumbled "Not my fault!" was the response. No responsibility, no common sense, no clue on how to treat customers. Generally awful in every way. About as much fun dealing with Group1 as a trip to the dentist.

. I’m experience the worst customer service I have ever heard of by one of your franchises and your replies on the Jaguar FB are very polite but defensive and unhelpful.

My car stopped working 3 months ago. I got it to an Electric car specialist in Guildford , who diagnosed a fault with the main battery and told me to contact Jaguar as it would be covered under the 8 year Warranty. They said they might be allowed to do the work that week if they were sub-contracted, something they had done before for the Oxford garage. Jaguar told me it had to be diagnosed by one of their franchise garages so I made an appointment with Inchcape Group 1) Guildford. I had to agree to pay £702 for them to diagnose the problem. After 6 weeks they confirmed it was a battery fault under Warranty and I wouldn’t be charged the £702. I was then told that they would not fix it for another 5 months as they are short staffed.

I have no idea if they have any intension of fixing it or have even ordered the part. I have suggested they let Attono take on the work. Noone will talk to me or email me back except a young guy called Rob who’s very polite but very junior and who’s only advise has been that I go out and but an old banger for six months.

I know that someone must see how wrong this is and want to help. I have been renting and borrowing cars for 3 months now and it looks as though I’ve got at least 5 months to go.

Our BMW 3-series had a brake fluid warning light come on a few days after a service. We were able to drive the car to Group 1 Automotive Reading BMW and managed to talk to Kevin, the Aftersales Manager. He understood our predicament and quickly took charge of the situation, getting the car into the workshop as soon as possible.
With the issue fixed, we had the car back in just over an hour so very good service indeed.

I was pointed to the online web chat to sort an issue out with my car so that the right people responded to me. Over a week has passed with no response so I would not recommend using this useless facility. Why try and say this is the best way to engage with the company when it doesnt work. I would remove the service if you cannot operate it.

We bought a Volvo XC40 recently from their Chester branch and the whole experience was excellent. Staff were friendly and efficient, we were treated really well and it all went smoothly, car is in fantastic condition and was at a great price, very happy with the whole thing, will not hesitate to use them again.

AWFUL!! Do not seem capable of providing the right service requested and worse than that. Took money out of my Service Plan for work not done!! Also called my car in for work that wasn’t due and had the cheek to charge me for it
Finally one major item on a service last year seems very questionable whether it was done. I can’t get a refund for this and neither 1 group, EMAC service plan or BMW UK seem to care!!
When I finally got the refund for money I was charged due to mismanagement of my account. It took constant badgering in emails, phone calls and personal visits for 27 days
MY ADVICE WOULD BE TO ANY PROSPECTIVE CUSTOMER; DON’T BUY A VEHICLE OR LET THIS SHOWER TOUCH YOURS!!

Following a very poor experience with my daughter's Audi at Jardine Hitchin, her car had its first big service undertaken at Hatfield Audi, part of Group 1. Adrian there could not have been more professional or helpful, taking time to explain the processes and options. The car was returned fully serviced, clean and good to go. I can see so many poor reviews about Group 1 here, but my experience at Hatfield Audi was great.

Purchased a Brand New Van last December from Group 1 Farnborough .

After 1,700 miles it broke down , AA diagnosed a Power Steering Fault towed to local garage in Taunton

Ford Assist unable to get be anything as it was 1:30pm Friday

I thought i would phone the Garage at Farnborough to see if they could assist as I was over 200 miles away

I was informed by the selling salesman
“ I have sold you the Van and can not help you “

So left stranded in Taunton with absolutely no help from
Ford assist or the suppling dealership

Will I buy another Van from this dearlership ????

AVOID!!!
AVOID!!!
AVOID!!!
DO YOURSELF A FAVOUR AND NEVER VISIT ANY GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE DEALERSHIP.

Dishonest. Racist. Unprofessional. Returned car with more faults than what it went in with. Did not complete agreed works. Messed me around no less than 3 times with courtesy car.

Abusive, insulting staff, specifically the manager Andrew Laudrum - I’ve actually not met anyone as blatantly dishonest, obnoxious and abhorrent as him.

Never again.

Zero for customer service. Air conditioning failed on my polo 2 years ago I was told about it, but they failed to give me a written quote. It happened shortly after a service. I have complained about the air conditioning each time I have had it serviced and last time asked for a quote - which surprise, surprise I failed to receive. Having contacted VW Head Office by husband was told I would receive help with the cost as it was a recognised fault on the Bluemotion Polo 2015, but VW want the quote that I was never given. So that’s that according to both Group 1 and VW. Needless to say I will not be returning again and would recommend that others think twice.

To add to this after reading many forums on the same issue, VW actually know about this problem, but have failed to issue any kind of recall (the reason it is too expensive to fix! Surprise Suprise again!)

Brand new top of the range Transporter - alternator has gone at less than 4k miles! VW cant repair it for nearly 2 months! Not much point in buying new for the warranty if it will sit in VW garage whilst the warranty is running out.
Loughton - six weeks before they even look at it
St Albans - 13 weeks before they look at it!
Chelmsford - dont answer!

Very good service and communication from Bobby Ahmed at group 1 bmw borehamwood

He is the image of professionalism and best practice within the automotive industry

Give that man a raise !!!

I recently paid a fully refundable deposit at Group1 BMW for a car, but unfortunately, my circumstances changed, and I had to request a refund. It's been over three weeks since I initiated the refund process, and despite numerous emails and follow-ups, I still haven't received my money back.
What should have been a straightforward process has turned into a frustrating ordeal. The lack of communication and constant delays have severely spoiled my overall experience with Group1 BMW. Now, I'm forced to chase my credit card company to recover the funds, which is an unnecessary hassle I never expected to deal with.
I expected much better service from a brand like BMW, but this experience has left me extremely disappointed. I would strongly caution anyone considering doing business with them to be aware of the potential challenges in getting their money back.

Took 17 reg BMW 218i in for map uodate. Was promised quote prior to arriving but it wasn’t sent. Have previously paid around £80 for updates. Reception told me it would be £230 to do in the workshop as on line updates no longer supported. Then I was told that there had been a number of instances where the workshop update had crashed the entire display. I said that if this happens I assume BMW will cover the cost. I was told it would cost over £1000 and I would be liable.for all the cost.
The fact that I had purchased 4 new cars from this dealership over the years didn’t sway them.
How sad to see the demise of what was once a great brand

Avoid at all costs if your BMW is over 3 years old! “Cost” being the operative word! Despite being a loyal customer of 11+ years, with fully BMW serviced cars throughout, things have gone majorly downhill in the past 2-3 years. Twice across the last 3 visits/years now I would have spent an extra and totally unnecessary nearly £5k had I actually agreed to pay! That’s 20% of the value of my car! I’d never had cause to complain to Chandlers (their previous incarnation), but it appears Group 1 immediately shut any complaints down upon receipt, and seem to believe they are above delivering any form of acceptable customer service. Hence this post. Parts replacement specialists, not engineers. Avoid unless your car is within 3 years of new, or warrantied to the hilt.