IDeal Car Centre Reviews 

This is an update to my recent review. Even though iDeal had checked the car, and I had my own mechanic check the car, neither spotted a timing chain issue. In fact, it was only spotted when iDeal offered to check why an engine management light had come on just four weeks after I collected the car.

At their recommended garage they tracked the engine management light issue but in doing so discovered the timing chain issue. iDeal were excellent: not only did they take the car to an engineering firm for the work to be done, they also spoke to the warranty company (the age of the car meant they wouldn't provide cover for a stretched belt). As a result, iDeal and the warranty company met two-thirds of the cost. I met the other third.

I can't praise iDeal enough. They took on a problem they didn't need to, dealt with it effectively and put their hands in their pocket for a problem my mechanic missed.

Excellent service.

Great experience buying a car from Paul. We traded in and the process was smooth and quick. Paul was responsive to all our questions and not pushy at all.
Would definitely come here to buy our next car.

We purchased a car which was better than described, almost unmarked so really pleased with the car. The team gave us some good advice on getting the best price for selling our car instead of trading in, so we got a good deal, thanks

From first looking at the vehicle to driving it away, an exceptional service.
We purchased a Range Rover and Paul went above and beyond to make sure everything was right with the vehicle before we drove it away. The car is fantastic, thank you!

Finally where to start was looking for a car to buy and seen these car advertised on autotrader had reached out to trader and finance company also reached out to them. Finance company asked about mot and they can have it done. Applied for finance for it approved contacted dealer wanted £1000 deposit so sent them my deposit to reserver car as i cannot view it personally as its 300miles away. After a week sent another £4000 deposit to secure the vehicle and arranged a collection. 2 days before collection called them if finance company paid out and received all my deposit they said yes and they decide to tell me that it only has 1 key and also asked if they did an MOT they said as it has 4 months left. Collected vehicle after 50miles on the motorway tire pressure light showed up on dashboard and my wife tried to move passenger car seat it wont move back. So pulled up in a service so we could check and put air on tyres. So we got home and i know that there was a safety recall on the vehicle. So had it booked after 4 days of having it. Found out that we have to repair certain parts oil leak on cam carrier, water ingress on headlight needs replacing, battery only 40% battery life need replacing before winter, black sludge on wiper reservoir costing nearly £3000. Contacted warranty team which trader gave said they cannot repair it as it is not covered. Contacted trader informed the faults they dont want to help and repair it. Called again the next day asked again the next day if what to do with it they were not happy about it and was irrate. Sent an email about the repair with health check of the vehicle. They only offered to pay for car seat seriuosly? As he quoted on his email “However, more importantly the warranty company have also advised that the suggested repair for an 'oil leak' is simply a preventative measure to stop oil leaks occurring or becoming worse as based not he evidence supplied there is nothing to suggest there is a serious oil leak at present or possibly even at all.
This is not work that would be required at this time, but would not be covered by your warranty in any event unfortunately. However it appears that Citroen are advising you to have work completed which is not currently necessary.
Similarly, your headlight is working as it should so would not need replacing simply due to some condensation unfortunately.” “There are no current faults with the vehicle other than the passenger seat not sliding backwards and forwards, which would not give grounds for you to reject a used car.”

Who do you expect to pay for the cost of those me? You must be joking. I have also contacted your warranty provider which you provided and send them additional picture that a had requested from an individual garag to have it check underneath and found out there was really and oil leak and it was spreading all over the engine. As you have said this was check by independent garage before handover to me which has not happened and no evidence of it that it was inspected prior to handing over to customer.

Is it not a car dealers responsibility to transfer V5C to those who bought cars. This they cannot also do so irresponsible.

What a load of lies do you even know what you are selling no offer of repair or apologies. arrogant dealer was also not cooperating with there broker and finance company. After more than 3 months waiting finally got my deposit back and car taken by broker and sold it to a salvage company. Finance company and broker both supported my rejection and unwind the finance agreement. What ever you say are lies. Even if you post back. Has been reported to trading standards. Oh by the way i also tried complaining to motor ombudsman and unfortunately you are not registered no wonder why they can do what ever they want even if car is faulty.

Reply:

What a load of excuses i have proof of everything. And when did i view the vehicle? I never arrange a viewing as it is 300miles away. It is only when i arrange a pick up that i viewed the vehicle. And how can i check if there was an oil leak or not if it was not checked by citroen i would have not been informed. Once i had the health check i called warranty and your office about it. Another lies about the key you informed me 2 days before and also asked for MOT and you also declined. and order form was signed when i arrive at your office you also did not do it properly and send me another order form to sign because of the wrong iformation you put. I have also consulted finance company about what you said no there was no conversation between you another lies. I also never said i change my mind, i also ask if what to do with the car and you did not offer any repair or even inspect it. Again another lies warranty declined it as it was not covered. I have all the proofs and email of it. If there was no fault i would have kept the vehicle.dont try to report post as you did and failed 😂

I would give this dealership 0 stars if that were possible.

Our experience with Ideal Car Centre has been extremely stressful and disappointing from start to finish.

On 27/11/2025 we purchased a Hyundai Santa Fe Premium SE 2.2 CRDi Auto 4WD 7-seater (PE16 LXL). We paid £6,100 upfront including deposit and warranty, with the remaining £12,789 financed through MotoNovo via Jigsaw.

The same day we drove the vehicle home, the engine management light came on and the car went into limp mode. When the vehicle was scanned with an OBD reader it showed fault code P2563, indicating a turbo actuator problem. This strongly suggests the issue may have already existed before the vehicle was sold.

Even from the very beginning our experience at the dealership was poor. When we went to view the car we were rushed through the process and told the dealer “had somewhere to go” despite the dealership still being open. We were also refused a proper test drive unless we agreed to buy the car, and the short test drive we were allowed lasted only around five minutes on local roads in slow traffic.

When we reported the fault, the dealership became extremely abrupt, sarcastic and rude. During phone calls they shouted, spoke over us and even said “I don’t care.” We have recordings of these calls. Their behaviour made us feel very intimidated. They also sent threatening emails outside of normal hours saying they would take us to court and misrepresenting the law. They even threatened to send the vehicle to auction and charge us for storage, despite us returning the vehicle and the keys.

We made it clear from the start that we did not want the car repaired and simply wished to reject it and receive a refund. However the situation dragged on for months. The complaint was raised with our finance company MotoNovo, and after the issue remained unresolved for such a long time we had to escalate the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

The complaint was ongoing from November 2025 until March 2026 before it was finally resolved. Only after the Financial Ombudsman became involved was the finance company forced to resolve the complaint, and we have now finally received our deposit refund after all that time.

This whole experience has caused significant stress to our family. We have three young children and I am currently pregnant with our fourth, and dealing with this situation while being spoken to in such an aggressive and dismissive way made the whole situation even more upsetting.

Looking back, I have learned a big lesson from this experience. We should never have trusted this dealership and should have walked away when we were rushed during the viewing.

I would strongly advise anyone considering buying a car from this dealership to avoid them and proceed with extreme caution. I am now also in the process of reporting the way we have been treated to Trading Standards.

Fantastic service from start to finish. I delt with a fantastic chap called Paul. Super helpful and made the whole process so easy and hassle free. Answering any questions I had and great communication throughout the buying process.As it a performance car I purchased, Paul had great knowledge of this car. He gave me great advice going forward. Well worth the 4 hour round trip and would happily deal with Paul again.

Thanks again Paul really happy with my car.

Small independent company. Experienced, friendly and trustworthy. No hard sales.

The whole team were patient with my questions, gave me a test drive , Paul gave me time to think and I came away with a fabulous car 🚙 I absolutely love it , it drives like a dream from an older lady who was so nervous buying a car by herself it ended up being brilliant.

Great, hassle free car purchase. Quick test drive and bank transfer with collection a couple of days later.

This is the first time I’ve dealt with a car sales company in years and if I’m been honest it was a breeze, we called to look at the car went for a test drive, liked it so we bought it.
Also it was nice to be sold a proper warranty with the car for total piece of mind.

Terrible customer service from Daniel at the IDeal Car Centre in Manchester. Went to view a vehicle which when looked at was not as described and in poor condition. Please avoid at all costs.

There are 3 drivers i just want to say thankyou to there names are tom danny & Ellis fantastic service

Paul delivered great customer service and was very professional throughout. Helped me understand what needed to be done and made the process simple and easy

Excellent service. No issues at all

Excellent service and great value for money. I will deffo be back again

Andy the salesman looked after us and did all the paperwork that was needed. Great service

Recently purchased a Landrover from these guys, Great experience and car has been fantastic. Would highly recommend. 👍 Thanks

have first hand experience dealing with a car they sold that should have basically been in a scrap yard, there no way it passed the mot was sold with ,stay clear