Abridge Volkswagen

Now a Lancaster dealership, I had a mixed experience here.

I got a good deal for a used car which I was happy with. So far so good.

But they were generally uncommunicative. I called them 3 times to discuss pick up of the car and the dealer didn't call me back, and no-one else at the dealership was able to help me. Frustrating!

Later I asked about buying another car and they never bothered to follow up on that either. Weird, you'd think a car dealer would jump at the chance of more business.

EDIT: The manager of this dealership saw my review, and called me personally to apologise. He bought me a tank of petrol as a 'sorry'. Fair enough! Have another star :)

Just had the most unhelpfully customer service experience. Bought my car from them, not long ago. Very happy to take my money. Not so enthusiastic to provide customer support when I needed it.

Told we needed cambelt on our 61000 perfect passat, took it in £519.00 later, drove home next morning warning lights cooling problem don't drive, here we go, why touch a perfect working car, new it would happen......

Very disappointing service, booked my recall two months in advance to ensure it would be completed first that day.
I took the car in by 8am on the day, called at 12pm for an update, received update at 2pm that the car hadn't even been touched from where I left it.
The only choice I had was to continue waiting and be unable to go to work or pick up the car.
Very annoying and a complete waste of time, safe to say I will not be buying a car from these charlatans.

Bought a second hand MK6 Golf SE "Das Walt" approved car from them almost 3 years ago, my experience is as follows:

1. The car was sold to me with a leaky shock - which they wouldn't replace under das walt as that was wear and tear - the previous owners wear and tear.

2. Car was previously a Motability car, which they failed to de-register as a disabled vehicle - 3-4 trips across the dartford bridge and tried to pay - "vehicle exempt" - great I thought - my car is so green I don't have to pay the toll crossing...

6 months later 3 fines in the post for crossing the dartford bridge 3 times after the vehicle has finally been deregistered. Fortunately dartford bridge were understanding and waved the fine.

3. When I purchased car the Golf badge said "olf" - part was ordered, went in and waited whilst they fitted it for 2 hours, instead they replaced the boot opening badge instead which never had a fault. Another trip required...

4. Car only came with 1 key - so another 2 hours waiting for the key to be encoded as Motability lost the key.

5. Took the car in for a service - "there's a nail in the inner wall" - needs a new tire, a phase which I seem to hear every time I go in the dealership. Took it to an independent tire garage - nail removed for free, drove on the tire until it was replaced.

6. The car is one of the diesel-gate cars - took it in to be fixed, and at the same time asked them to change the fog light bulb as there was a warning light - 5 hours later, 72 pounds investigation fee required. Rang a few other garages likely to be the wire is broken. Rang back VW Harlow - 5 minutes later, it's a bulb holder - we'll wave the 72 pound investigation fee.

Through grumbling a little bit they knocked the price down on some of the expenditure...

My previous experience of buying a VW was a second hand one - through Autotrader - well looked after, and had 3 years all most cost & trouble free motoring - apart from 2 broken electric windows on a MK4 golf - which thank goodness I was able to fix myself with a 35 pound kit from VW - otherwise it would have been hundreds - all because the pulley system wheels were made of plastic and designed to break after a few years. "You'll never be able to fix that yourself" was what I was told by VW Harlow (before they moved to their new HQ)

I'm not sure VW can redeem themselves here...both the parent company and this dealership.

Professional service. Good location for me.