Great bits: initial call to book appointment, communication, understanding and enthusiasm from sales person (Bilal), good range of vehicles, efficient service for part exchange and lovely purchase.... See more
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Review summary
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Good range of cars, but can't give 5 stars, as sales experience took ages when coming to collect the car. (4.5 hours with a trade in and finance, rather long!). The car was immaculate though, and... See more
Company replied
John was fantastic at leading the test drives and was clearly knowledgeable about the cars available. Other staff were also welcoming and patient and the premises were very well looked after. Will go... See more
Company replied
Excellent smooth, honest and professional service. We were helped with our purchase from Carbase by Danny Port. He was friendly, polite and very helpful. Danny guided through the whole process which... See more
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Company details
Written by the company
Established in Somerset in 2003, Carbase has grown into the South West’s largest independent used car and van supermarket. Proudly named Used Car Supermarket of the Year, we’re committed to providing an exceptional experience for every customer. With multiple locations in the South West, we offer thousands of RAC Approved vehicles, from compact hatchbacks and family SUVs to reliable vans, ensuring there’s something for everyone. In 2024, we celebrated the incredible milestone of over 100K customers now driving a Carbase car or van. Our dedication to quality and customer satisfaction is reflected in our Rated Excellent status for customer service and our Great Place to Work certification, a recognition of our fantastic team. Alongside our vehicle range, we offer expert servicing, MOTs, and repairs at our Auto Centres, ensuring your car or van stays in top condition. Visit us to explore our extensive stock and enjoy a seamless buying experience.
Contact info
Netham Road, BS5 9PJ, Bristol, United Kingdom
- 0117 405 7868
- sales@carbase.co.uk
- www.carbase.co.uk
4.3
Excellent
6K reviews
Replied to 99% of negative reviews
Typically replies within 24 hours
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ZERO STARS FOR ZERO COMMUNICATION!
Absolutely terrible experience with Carbase Bristol.
I purchased a 73 plate 10,000mile car from them on 15th March and within days it developed a serious issue with the cooling system, the car is over heating and filled with water instead of coolant! Which could possibly be contaminated coolant. Possibly leading to full engine failure. This clearly shows the vehicle was not properly checked before sale, despite being told it had undergone a “full RAC inspection.”
I was also misled about features and pushed into buying warranty which I want to cancel! I was told the car had a front camera, which it does not, and it has a chipped windscreen that was not properly addressed.
Trying to get this resolved has been even worse. Emails have been ignored and follow-up promised calls off the appropriate managers not returned. I was told to pay for diagnostics myself, which is completely unacceptable given the fault occurred immediately after purchase.
This has left me without a reliable car, affecting my ability to work and attend important medical appointments.
Very disappointing experience. would not recommend.
March 15, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
We are sorry to hear how frustrating and disruptive this situation has been for you. Your comments regarding the condition of the car, the information provided at point of sale, and the subsequent communication will be carefully reviewed so we can understand the circumstances more fully and assess how this has been handled. If you would like to discuss your experience further, please feel free to contact our team on 0117 911 5428, or via email at complaints@carbase.co.uk
The after sales experience was very disappointing
The pre-sale experience was good however having only driven the new car about 50miles driving home a fault occurred. We contacted carbase immediately but no one responded so had to call again the next day. We were told that they could not look at the car for at least 3 weeks and we would have to find somewhere else and pay for the diagnostic check and claim it back. Whilst I appreciate the car is used and has mileage on it this car should not have been sold in this state and should have been checked and driven given we were informed it had been with them for a year. I was so looking forward to getting this car but it has remained parked up until we can get it fixed. Really disappointed.
March 20, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
We are sorry to hear that your experience after purchase has been disappointing. Your comments regarding the fault, the delay in response, and the guidance provided will be reviewed so we can better understand what may have happened and how this was handled. If you would like to discuss your experience further, please feel free to contact our team on 0117 911 5428, or via email at complaints@carbase.co.uk
First time buying a car
First time buying a car! Was super nervous but Blake was a super nice guy! Got my new car that same day! It was a little busy but everything was great.
March 21, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
Thank you for sharing your experience. It is great to hear that Blake helped put you at ease during your first car purchase and made the process feel straightforward, even on a busy day. We appreciate your feedback and are pleased everything came together positively for you.
Positive Overall
Great bits: initial call to book appointment, communication, understanding and enthusiasm from sales person (Bilal), good range of vehicles, efficient service for part exchange and lovely purchase. Bilal was great and took good care of us!
Less good bits: too many upsells (you name it you can add it on for £££), service felt rushed at times and staff over-stretched at some points. Delays on collection due to being super busy.
March 21, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
Thank you for your balanced feedback. It is great to hear that Bilal provided a positive and supportive experience, and that you were pleased with the range of vehicles and overall process. We also note your comments regarding the pace of service, additional options offered, and delays on collection, and these will be reviewed to ensure the experience remains comfortable and well-paced for customers, even during busy periods. We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.
really enjoyed the whole experience
really enjoyed the whole experience, neil was very professional and easy to talk to and made us feel comfortable without being to pushy, on these grounds we would definitely be using car base again
March 22, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. It is great to hear that Neil made you feel comfortable and supported throughout, while allowing you the space to make your own decisions. We appreciate your feedback and are pleased the experience left a positive impression.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Brilliant service, friendly team, smooth process, and a great van. Highly recommend.
March 21, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
Thank you for your feedback. It is great to hear that you found the team friendly and the process smooth, and that you are pleased with your van. We appreciate your recommendation and your time in sharing your experience.
Great service from the Carbase team
I was helped and assisted by Joe who was very welcoming towards me and my wife he took us through all the paperwork very efficiently and in no time we were able to drive away with a new vehicle
March 21, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
Thank you for your feedback. It is great to hear that Joe provided a welcoming and efficient experience for both you and your wife, and that everything was clearly explained throughout the process. We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and hope you enjoy your new vehicle.
Thanks to Dimitrios for handling my…
Thanks to Dimitrios for handling my purchase of a vehicle and graciously accepting that I wasnt going to purchase all the possible add-ons.
March 21, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
Thank you for your feedback. It is good to hear that Dimitrios supported you in a way that felt comfortable and respectful during your purchase, and that you were able to make decisions without feeling pressured. We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.
Generally a good experience
Generally a good experience, salesman,Mathew, very helpful.
March 17, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
Thank you for your feedback. It is great to hear that Mathew was helpful and contributed to a positive overall experience. We appreciate you taking the time to share your comments.
I would strongly advise anyone to think…
I would strongly advise anyone to think twice before purchasing a car from Carbase Bristol.
I purchased a vehicle that developed a serious fault (turbo failure) within 7 months of purchase. I even obtained an independent inspection which confirmed the issue was likely present at the point of sale. Despite this, the situation has still not been properly resolved over 6 months later.
The car has now suffered the same turbo failure twice, showing clear lack of durability, yet I am still being passed back and forth between the dealer, finance company, and repair garage. There has been no accountability and no proper resolution offered.
As a single parent, this situation has caused unnecessary stress and financial pressure. I expected a vehicle to be reliable and of good quality, but that has not been my experience at all.
Very disappointing after-sales service and I would not recommend.
October 8, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
We are sorry to hear about your experience and the ongoing concerns you have raised. The situation you describe, particularly over an extended period and involving multiple parties, is understandably concerning, and it is important that matters such as these are handled clearly and consistently. Your comments regarding the handling of the issue and the level of follow-up you have received will be reviewed so we can better understand what may have happened and whether improvements are needed. If you would like to discuss your experience further, please feel free to contact our team on 0117 911 5428, or via email at complaints@carbase.co.uk
Emily Preston is a star!
Emily in the service department is an absolute credit to Car Base, she helped me with an issue that had been ongoing for months, it was very frustrating (not car base at fault, local garage issue) and the service Emily provided both myself & the manager of the garage I was dealing with was professional, efficient and excellent.
Thank you Emily!
March 19, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
Thank you for taking the time to leave this kind feedback. We are pleased to hear that Emily was able to support you throughout, and that her communication with both yourself and the garage was clear and professional. Best wishes
Neil was good and friendly.
March 20, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
Thanks so much for visiting us and sharing your kind review! All the best
1st Class Service
Friendly, helpful and supportive staff.
What a wonderful team there. All working together to make buying a car a smooth experience.
Max was so kind and explained everything so well. Thankyou.
March 19, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
It is great to hear your visit felt well supported and that the team created a smooth and welcoming environment. We are pleased Max was able to provide clear explanations and make things easy to follow. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
Neil @ Carbase in Weston
Bought a new car today at Carbase in Weston. I was lucky enough to be helped by Neil who was extremely helpful, very informative and overall a kind, down to earth person. Highly recommend!
March 19, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
Thank you for your recommendation and for choosing Carbase Weston. It is great to hear Neil made a positive impression and provided helpful, informative support throughout your visit. We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.
Very good salesmen not pushed into…
Very good salesmen not pushed into anything I didn't want. Time to look around.
March 15, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. It is great to hear that you felt comfortable during your visit and were able to look around at your own pace without any pressure. We wish you many happy miles in your new car.
I bought a ford transit
I bought a ford transit today, everything went very smoothly and quickly. Oscar was nice and professional and I like the way they look after their vans and all the extras after purchase such as full year recovery and all the warranty. I can live stress free. They even helped me set up road tax and everything.
March 16, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. It is great to hear that everything was smooth and efficient on the day, and that Oscar provided a professional and supportive service throughout. We are pleased that the additional cover and support options gave you added confidence in your purchase, and that the team were able to assist with the final steps before you drove away. Your feedback will be shared with him and the team, and we appreciate you choosing Carbase.
The experience with carbase was…
The experience with carbase was excellent. John Murch who we dealt with was so very helpful, very friendly throughout.
He answered any questions with confidence.
The overall experience was very good.
March 13, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback. It is great to hear that John provided such helpful and friendly support throughout your visit, and that you felt confident with the information given. We are pleased the overall experience met your expectations, and your comments will be shared with him and the team. We appreciate you choosing Carbase.
Good sales agent
My sales agent - Tendayi made the experience pleasant and easy to work with. He did talk through all the packages available such as additional warranties etc but with genuine interest not pressure. Made me feel comfortable during the process.
Able to test drive, finance element was quick.
March 15, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. It is great to hear that Tendayi made the experience feel comfortable and easy to work through while guiding you through the available options. We are pleased that you had the opportunity to test drive the vehicle and that the process, including the finance side, felt smooth and straightforward. Your comments will be shared with him and the team, and we appreciate you choosing Carbase.
Abdi was absolutely amazing from start…
Abdi was absolutely amazing from start to finish . Friendly , personable and He Pushed through a test drive even though they were busy ..
we agreed to purchase a beautiful vehicle and picked up today . upon change over he was still his wonderful charming self . Shook our hands an arrival and again pushed to get us out of there asap . Perfect salesman and gentleman
The only thing I will say is the Pushy sales tactics by the Management did damped the experience quite a bit but I cannot stress this was nothing to do with Abdi .. Abdi should open his own car sales place . Would definitely buy from him again .
Thank you
Victoria and Andrew :-)
March 15, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. It is great to hear that Abdi made such a positive impression throughout the process and that his friendly and attentive approach helped make the purchase an enjoyable one, even during a busy time in the showroom. We also note your comments regarding the wider sales environment and appreciate you raising this, as feedback like yours helps us reflect on how the experience feels from a customer perspective. Your kind words about Abdi will certainly be shared with him and the team, and we hope you enjoy your new vehicle.
Incredible service
My salesman, Jaydon, was absolutely amazing throughout the whole process. Even when there was no update on the car, he would call me every now and again to say that he’s just keeping in touch to ensure I know I’ve not been forgotten. When there was an update, he was updating me straight away. When I arrived at carbase to start the process of actually buying the car, Jaydon was super welcoming and friendly and just made the whole experience great. Carbase even managed to save me some money on my purchase. I will be returning! Thankyou Jaydon! ☺️
March 11, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
Thank you for sharing your experience. It is great to hear that Jaydon kept in touch throughout the process and made sure you felt informed while waiting for updates. A welcoming and attentive approach can make a real difference when collecting a car, so it is encouraging to know the experience left such a positive impression. Your comments will be shared with him and the team, and we appreciate you choosing Carbase.
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