(View 23,046 vehicles in group)
Arnold Clark Click & Collect Colchester
Colchester
Arnold Clark Click & Collect Colchester
Colchester
(View 23,046 vehicles in group)
On 1 March 2026, we purchased a 2020 Jeep Compass from an Arnold Clark branch for £11,000 in cash, together with a £3,000 part-exchange of our Fiat. Before purchasing, we reviewed the vehicle's documentation. The MOT, completed in December 2025, showed no advisories, and the vehicle had been serviced just four days before collection with no issues identified. We therefore had every reason to believe it was safe and roadworthy. Just 14 days later, on Mother's Day, the vehicle suffered a complete brake failure while we were travelling with our family. We were left with virtually no braking capability and narrowly avoided a serious road traffic collision. A few days later, National Tyres inspected the vehicle, replaced the front brakes after finding them in an unacceptable condition, and advised that the brake servo required replacement by Arnold Clark. The vehicle was returned to Arnold Clark on 25 March 2026 and remained there until 1 July 2026. The selling branch provided a hire car from 28 March while repairs were attempted. Around eight weeks later, we were informed that Jeep had discontinued the brake servo and the replacement part was on back order. As the initial 30-day right to reject under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 had expired, we followed our solicitors' advice and allowed Arnold Clark a further reasonable opportunity to repair the vehicle, setting a final deadline of 8 June 2026. That deadline passed without the vehicle being repaired or any communication from Arnold Clark. Throughout the process, we received almost no proactive updates and had to chase every progress report ourselves. After taking further legal advice, we notified Arnold Clark that legal proceedings would begin if the vehicle was not repaired by the deadline. When we contacted them on 8 June, we were told the replacement part remained on back order in Italy and there had been no progress for around five weeks. This was particularly disappointing because we had carried out every reasonable check before purchasing the vehicle. Although the 2024 MOT recorded an advisory that the front brakes should be monitored, the subsequent 2025 MOT contained no brake advisories, and the pre-sale service also identified no faults. It was therefore entirely reasonable to believe any earlier concerns had been resolved. The complete brake failure just two weeks after purchase raises serious questions about the inspections carried out before the vehicle was sold. It is difficult to understand how such a critical safety defect could have gone undetected if the MOT and service had been completed to the required standard. After only two weeks of ownership, we then spent the next 17 weeks relying on a hire car while waiting for a resolution. This was wholly unreasonable and caused significant distress and inconvenience to our family. Although Arnold Clark fully refunded us in full on 1 July 2026, we never received a formal apology. The refund does not undo the distress, inconvenience and safety concerns we experienced, and we have completely lost confidence in Arnold Clark.
Reviews provided by dealership customers who were invited to provide feedback on their sales experience using TrustPilot.
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