A Star Motors LTD
165c Boston Rd, London W7 3QJ, United Kingdom
2.8
17 reviews
8 comments
GM38+QJ London, United Kingdom
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Monday: 9–19
Tuesday: 9–19
Wedneasday: 9–19
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Saturday: 10–17
Sunday: 12–17
Tuesday: 9–19
Wedneasday: 9–19
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Saturday: 10–17
Sunday: 12–17
I purchased a Vauxhall Zafira from Adam at A Star Motors on 29 November 2020. The car came with a warranty with an insurance company called Handler Protect. On agreeing to purchase the car, A Star Motors agreed to replace the front disc and pads that had come up on the previous MOT as an advisory and get a new MOT and service. They also agreed to order another set of keys as the car only had one key and wash the car and deliver it to me (a distance of around 15 miles).
The car was put through it’s MOT the next day and the new discs and pads were fitted and surprisingly they delivered the car to me the same evening, although the car was not washed and the spare keys were not ordered (something about their usual supplier was not available). They did charge me £120 less for not arranging the spare keys.
A few days later, I noticed the engine management light staying on. I took it into a local garage who diagnosed it with a P0171 error (Fuel Trim System Lean) but could not pinpoint it to the actual faulty part. It could have been a number of things with the fuel system.
Over the next few days I called and texted A Star Motors and eventually managed to speak to Antony. He advised me to contact the insurance company as they don’t receive the cars back to resolve any problems and list everything that could have been wrong with the car. Unfortunately in order to submit a claim to the warranty company, they required a detailed diagnosis of the fault and why it had failed (as well as a lot of other paperwork I had to collate). Local independent garages could not generate that report, so in the end I took it to a Vauxhall dealer on 15 December and paid for a diagnosis report (£100). That showed that the Fuel Tank Vent Valve was faulty and stuck open. Additionally, the report showed that the rear brake pads were 100% worn with less than 1mm left remaining. This car had passed it’s MOT at Grays Tyres Services 162-168 Uxbridge Road, Hanwell, London, W7 3TB on 30 November 2020 in that condition.
On 21st December Handler Protect declined my claim: “we will not pay for repairing or replacing any parts that we specifically state are NOT Covered or any parts that are NOT Listed on pages 4 & 5 of the Warranty Cover Document.”
I tried again to contact A Star Motors to seek advice, but they did not answer my phone calls or texts.
Eventually, I bought new brake pads and the new valve direct from Vauxhall and paid a local garage to fit, bringing the total cost (including diagnostic) to around £300. Less than a month after purchasing the car from A Star Motors.
I updated Antony of these developments by text on 23 December and asked if he had any response.
To date (6 January 2021) I have not heard anything back.
More than happy for A Star Motors to comment back on any of these details.
**Update following response from A Star Motors**
Thanks for your response to my review received only hours after I posted it.
My main complaints were
1. No one returned my calls and texts, where I was trying to inform you of the problems
2. Having to spend out money on a newly purchased car. I understand that dealers still have some responsibility for the quality of the car sold and can't put it all on the warranty company
3. I think the value of the warranty is questionable
Other than that, I am actually quite happy with the car.
There were numerous problems with the car. My partner was driving one day and the exhaust fell off the car, we went to Halfords who said that it looked like someone had done a temporary fix and very poorly welded on an already rusted exhaust. My partner contacted A Star Motors and was met by a very angry man down the phone who was very rude to her, this is not the first time they were rude to her.
Suddenly when I phoned up, they were apologetic and changed their tune. I’m not claiming sexism, but it’s funny how they thought it was okay to talk down to my partner and apologised to me and not her.
After I contacted A Star Motors. They agreed to partially cover the costs of repairs. However, I have phoned almost daily and have left 6 or 7 voicemails to no response, I’ve emailed about 10 times with no response and have messaged on WhatsApp, but they keep opening my messages and reading them but have not responded.
This has been a long process spanning a month and a half. I’m still not getting any response to this day. AVOID THIS PLACE LIKE THE PLAGUE!