I bought my car of Balham Auto Centre about 3 years ago. It was the first time I had bought off a dealer and I must say never again if any of the other dealers are anything like these guys.
The main chap who seemed to be running the show told me whatever he thought I wanted to hear at all times. We made him write down on our agreement that he would forward us a spare set of keys (including remote control thingy) and the stereo face off plate which he couldn't find at the time (but he said he had). To cut a long story short, he never sent us the keys or face off plate. Firstly he just said that he hadn't sent it when I called the first few times and that he would get onto it right away. I told him he had to send them special delivery so we could track the parcel in case in went missing. Next time I called some weeks later he said he had posted it after we spoke last, but, surprise surprise, said he hadn't sent it recorded delivery and that royal mail must have lost it - at this point I didn't believe him as he had already several times promised things that hadn't happened. So I explained that we agreed that a condition of purchasing the car was that he produced spare keys and a face plate. He kept promising to get a mate to make a spare set of keys and send me up another stereo but every time I called he was "just about to do it" - to a point where he just started ignoring my calls (one time I heard him in the background telling one of his colleagues who picked up the phone that he wasn't in). This was over three months. I eventually claimed the money for the spare keys and face plate from my credit card company as we had bought the car on the card.
The car has been great though!
Based on my experience (which is only one experience, others might have had good experiences) I would not in any way recommend putting your faith in these guys unless the management has changed since. read more