Gates Automotive Reviews 

Not the experience I expected. In October 2025 I went into Gates St Albans to buy a used car. I asked the sales person if I was allowed to get the AA to check it. I was told that I could but she assured me that their checks are more extensive than the AA's. I trusted that because that was the reason I was going to a main dealer, the car is only 3 years old and with a years warranty you're not going to have any problems for a year.

I didn't test drive but when I drove the car home the handbrake didn't hold until it pulled up so high that I knew it was an MOT failure. The infotainment system also said the keys needed new batteries. I went back to Gates who adjusted the handbrake and replaced the key batteries.

I hadn't realised that you don't get a full years MOT or service, so 8 months later because of the bad reviews for the service department at Gates I took the car to an independent garage for an MOT. The car passed but they highlighted that there was a mileage discrepancy. The mileage at the previous MOT was higher than the mileage now. I went back to Gates. I was told the discrepancy would just be an admin error and to contact DVSA to show them my invoice etc as evidence and they could correct it. While sorting my evidence I thought that as the previous service was done 8 months before the previous MOT that would corroborate my claim that the MOT entry was just a mistake. I asked the service department for a copy of the service details but unfortunately that also had the higher mileage so this would mean 2 seperate errors 8 months apart. I had a list of 17 times the car had been worked on so asked if I could have the actual details of the work done under each heading as this might give mileage details to corroborate the mileage discrepancy. I also questioned that there were 17 entries but 4 numbers in the sequence were missing, why would that be? The gentleman said he didn't have anymore details than the list itself and he didn't know why numbers were missing and it didn't matter. I went back into the sales side and asked about the list of work done and was told, as I'd assumed, you can go into the list of work entries and see what work was actually done. I told the salesperson that the service department's man had made this all seem suspicious. She looked at the some setting etc on the infotainment system but couldn't understand what had happened. She said she needed to speak to her manager, who was on leave so could I give her some time. I agreed.

3 weeks later I still hadn't heard from the manager. I contacted Gates asking for the managers email address to put in a formal complaint. I asked the manager to acknowledge receipt of the email but she didn't. I also requested details of all work done on the car and an explanation as to why there are 4 missing numbers in the sequence of work done.

2 weeks later I got a reply saying that, although this was too separate errors 8 months apart, that's what it was. To date I still haven't had the work done details or explanation re missing numbers.

During the wait for a response, the air conditioning was not working. I was surprised to hear the air conditioning is not covered by the warranty. The sales manager arranged for the service department to call me.

2 weeks later still no call. I contacted them and took the car in the evening before my appointment. Later I was phoned to say due to work delays could I leave the car with then for the next day. When I collected it I was told the battery had been recharged and the AC was working. Unfortunately 3 days later it had stopped working again. The service department couldn't fit me in until a week later. Dispite dropping the car off at 7.30 am I was again told it wouldn't be done until the next day. I was told I needed a new battery which is also not covered by the warranty so had to pay £257.34.

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I recently purchased my new Jaecoo and couldn’t be happier with the whole experience.

I was lucky enough to be looked after by Ajay, who genuinely went above and beyond to make sure everything was suitable for me. His communication throughout was excellent - always professional, helpful and reassuring.

As a women purchasing a car, I’ve never found the process particularly easy, but Ajay made the whole experience feel completely different. Everything was so smooth, straightforward and stress-free, which made such a difference.

I honestly can’t thank Ajay and the team enough for making what can sometimes be a daunting experience such a pleasant one. I absolutely love my new Jaecoo and would highly recommend them to anyone looking to purchase a car.

Thank you so, so much, Ajay! 😊🚗

Ajay was very helpful and goes above and beyond expectation. Gave ample time for test driving and has a very patient and friendly approach.

Ajay was a perfect customer service assistant, he helped me with purchasing a new car, giving me all the information relevant on the new car and he’s very friendly!

Ajay was brilliant, took me for a test drive talked me through the technology of the Jaecoo 7. He kept me completely updated whilst waiting for the car to arrive and was very easy to deal with. Would highly recommend

This is my first-ever brand new EV, and so far, it’s easily one of the best cars I’ve ever owned and driven. I’m absolutely delighted with it!

A huge thank you to Cameron Jennings at Gates Braintree for all his help throughout the process. He was professional, helpful, knowledgeable, and made the whole experience smooth and enjoyable. A truly great salesman!

I would happily recommend Leapmotor to anyone considering making the switch to an electric vehicle. A fantastic car and a great experience all round!

This a follow up from my last review had an response within 24 hrs stating my complaint had been past over to gates of St Albans but as I expected after two weeks not a sausage buy look at other reviews it seem you get a response quick but little else is this a way to do business 😟😟

Gates braintree have had my peugeot for over 5 weeks had a fault need repair come up toke to local garage and said need to replace coil pack and plugs will be £450 but decided to take back home and into gates were i bought and get regular service after check and get told miss fire on cylinder 2 and plug wet needs to do checks will cost £1.250 then they said found some sludging so bill now will be £1.750 and said this still mite not fix prob peugeot tec service said its coil pack or injector have asked 5 times if they have checked coil pack and they always go around the answer have gone in and asked them to email me a list of checks they have done and herd nothing at 72 and rely on my car its realy affecting me have now gone to peugeot customer care with this

Amazing service from Tamzin @ Gates Woodford, absolute credit to the team there, first class service from the first telephone call to handing me the keys to our new car. Even after sales, already have had to call for some advice and information regarding the car's do and don'ts etc.

Neil Watts, Gates Braintree Essex, this gentleman deserves to be salesperson of the year, he is the most pleasant, accommodating, helpful, straightforward and honest salesperson I have ever encountered, no tricks or deception, all questions answered without hesitation, nothing is to much trouble with him, , the Peugeot 3008 is sublime and a dream to drive.
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We were looked after by Harry Cordery as soon as we arrived - nothing pushy, just helpful throughout. There was a good deal done (for both parties….) and everything went through smoothly. Thankyou again.

Just purchased a Ford puma from gates at Harlow John booth was the salesman very easy to talk to and answered all my questions and made his business to find out answers very nice gentleman to do business with will definitely buy from them again and taking it back for service when need all the way from Norwich regards Nigel Folkard ps keep up the good work John

Had a minor service on my electric 2008 for £199 not bad but being electric not much to do ! Staff pleasant helpful and job done in a reasonable time. They were unable to offer an extended warranty for when mine expires. Disappointed that car not cleaned was told that not done in case it was scratched plus not something that main dealers offer which is strange as my other car’s are cleaned when at a main dealer

I booked my Omoda 9 in for its first service at Gates, St Albans and was quoted £241.69 for the service. We dropped our car off at 1000am and then collected it at 5pm. No fuss, no issues, no problems. Staff were not exactly the most enthusiastic or giving information on what was done etc. In fact I was told to contact Omeda UK directly if I had any questions as the dealer network was not being informed on anything from the manufacturer.
We need Omoda to help the dealer network or Tey will lose all credibility as a reliable seller providing a decent level of Customer Care tat will lead to future sales. however, if Omoda do not provide Customer Care to both dealers and customers they will see sales fall and dealers will kick them into touch! Wake Up Omoda or my Omoda 9 will be part exchanged for a company that Care about their customers. Ivegiven 5 stars for te tram at Gates who helped me when I purchased the car back in March 26. Lovely car, great service but there are a lot of questionable 'what if & where does my RAC coverage actually cover me for in Europe etc etc.

I would like to extend a huge thanks to Kam whilst helping me purchase my new car. He was knowledgeable, attentive and extremely helpful ( even answering queries I had at 11pm at night!!) in what was quite an emotional time for me, he dealt with the transition in a very kind and caring manner. Kam is a huge credit to the St.Albans branch, would wholeheartedly recommend paying him a visit!!

Dealt with Kam on the purchase and trade in on 2 cars.

Good service and nice promt deal.

I’m not often driven to write reviews however I felt compelled to recommend Anthony McGrath, he was brilliant from start to finish. On point knowledge, not pushy and just the right amount of contact to make the buying process a pleasurable and rewarding one. Top man. Thanks and well done, always a pleasure to deal with someone at the top of their game.

I bought a used car from Gates Wlatham Cross, dealing with Chelsea. She was very helpful, putting forward our options with no pressure and explaining everything clearly. She arranged for a vehicle to be delivered to the showroom so I could test drive it, and then once I had decided to buy it she arranged for some minor blemishes to be machined our prior to pick up. A very positive experience.

Booked in for a basic service and left feeling completely taken advantage of.

Paid around £300 for what should have been straightforward, then hit with a “recommendation list” of 13 extra items all labelled as urgent. When I got it home and went through it properly with my husband (who knows cars), none of it checked out as urgent at all. It felt like a pressure list designed to push unnecessary work rather than anything genuinely needed.

At the desk it was constant upselling – wipers, tyres, brake discs, washer jets, the lot. I went from a basic service to being told I “needed” nearly £1,900 + VAT of additional work.

It honestly felt like a sales operation more than a service centre. I won’t be returning, and I’d strongly advise anyone who does go to double-check every “recommendation” independently and keep everything documented before agreeing to anything.

I dealt with Chelsea from Gates/Geely and the service was excellent. She was professional, attentive, and always prompt in returning my calls and emails. She went above and beyond to make sure I got the car I wanted at the best possible price. I would highly recommend Gates/Geely.