Carbase Reviews 

6,225
TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

4.3

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Considering 1,231 reviews, reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company. Customers frequently praise the staff for being extremely helpful, polite, and professional, making the entire vehicle purchasing process completely smooth, easy, and stress-free. Visitors truly appreciate the welcoming environment and the detailed, patient explanations provided by representatives during the initial test drives and vehicle selections. However, some customers also noted frustrating difficulties with aftercare support, mentioning excessively long waiting times on the phone and heavily delayed responses regarding post-purchase vehicle problems. A few people also experienced unexpected mechanical issues shortly after driving away from the dealership, such as slow tyre punctures or unresolved dashboard warning lights.

What people talk about most

Staff

Customers consistently note positive experiences with staff, highlighting that team members are extremely... See more

Service

People report ambiguous experiences with service, as consumer feedback is heavily divided. On one hand,... See more

Product

Users describe ambiguous interactions with product, reflecting mixed views on vehicle quality and... See more

Customer service

Reviewers mention ambiguous feedback about customer service, highlighting stark contrasts between initial... See more

User experience

Clients share positive opinions on user experience, describing the process from initial phone inquiries to... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Will at Carbase Lympsham was really helpful. He met us immediately as we arrived and got us straight into a car. He was very helpful and even allowed us to listen to another similar car engine running... See more

Company replied

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Heith was extremely helpful and kept me fully informed about what and who I needed to do when collecting my car. Heith and the young lady (sorry forgotten her name) who dealt with the Road Tax etc we... See more

Company replied

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

I'd definitely recommend Carbase Bristol because it has loads of choice and the setup feels very professional. My only issue was the receptionist made me feel a bit like a time waster and didn't provi... See more

Company replied

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Easy no pressure car sales with good and clear advice on financing and warranties for your car / paint / wheels and tyres. Overall good experience. On my test drive the check tyre pressure indi... See more

Company replied


Company details

  1. Car dealer

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

4.3

Excellent

TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

6k reviews

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4.3

All reviews

(6,225)

1,186 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Carbase bristol review

I'd recommend Carbase Bristol to anyone because I was immediately welcomed in a friendly manner by Joe and his colleagues. Joe especially was great to deal with and made the whole process super easy :)

8 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for the recommendation! It’s lovely to hear you received such a friendly welcome from Joe and the team, and that everything felt easy from start to finish. We really appreciate you choosing Carbase Bristol and taking the time to share this :)

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

AVOID AVOID AVOID

Where to start,awful sales team,awful after sales.
I purchesed a kia sportage that doesnt have the functions that were sold to me.
33 days later and they are treating me like im non exsistant.
Countless calls,complaint via the correct process.
ENGINE MANAGEMENT LIGHT ON.
VARIOUS OTHER ISSUES.
CAS WAS SENT AWAY WITH TYRE PRESSURES ALL OVER THE PLACE.
KEY FOB BATTERIES WERE NEAR DEAD.
AVOID THEM AND DONT LOOK BACK.
IN THE HANDS OF THE FINANCE COMPANY.
STAY CLEAR AS THEY DONT CARE.
RANG THEM WITHIN 2 HOURS OF HAVING THE CAR!!!!!!
YOUR AUTO GENERATED REPLY IS INSULTING TO EVERY CUSTOMER.
YOU DONT ANSWER ANY COMPLAINTS,YOU DONT RING BACK REGUARDING COMPLAINTS.
MY CAR IS SAT ON MY DRIVE,
HOW BAD ARE YOU TO IGNORE MY ISSUES THAT YOU CREATED.
CONSUMER RIGHTS ACT 2015.
TRADING STANDARDS ARE AWARE,THE FINANCE COMPANY ARE AWARE.
X WILL NOW BE AWARE,SOCIAL MEDIA IS POWERFUL AND YOU DESERVE TO BE EXPOSED
STILL NO REPLY.
TIME TO STEP IT UP.
MY MP WILL BE GETTING MY REPORT AND I THINK NATIONAL PAPERS.
TRUST PILOT NEED TO REPORT THEM TO.

10 July 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

We’re sorry to hear that you are dissatisfied with your experience following your purchase, and we will consider the points you have raised as we investigate further. Your experience is important to us and we're grateful that you shared this. If you have any further information to add, please reach out to us at complaints@carbase.co.uk. Kind regards

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

My experience at Carbase

My experience at Carbase, Lympsham was excellent, thank you to Steve and Max who helped me get a great deal on my new, amazing work.

10 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thanks so much for the lovely feedback. We’re glad Steve and Max helped make your visit to Carbase Lympsham such a positive one and that you came away happy with your deal. We’ll be sure to share your comments with them both. Enjoy your new car!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Service was very good

Service was very good . Joe who was dealing with my enquiry was very helpful & informative about my purchase.
The car was well presented & clean when I picked it up . Very pleased with the car I bought.

10 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for your kind feedback. We’re pleased to hear Joe was helpful and informative throughout your purchase, and that your car was presented to a high standard when it was time to collect. It’s great to know you’re happy with your choice. Best wishes

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

We chose car on Sunday and drove it…

We chose car on Sunday and drove it away on Monday ! Perfect for us ! The staff were brilliant from start to finish all very knowledgeable too answered all our queries in depth ..very helpful

10 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

We’re delighted that you enjoyed your experience. Thanks for choosing Carbase and for taking the time to share your lovely review. Enjoy your new car!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Bilal has been amazing in the purchase…

Bilal has been amazing in the purchase of my new car this weekend . I visited the store Saturday did a test drive on a peugeout 2008 which I had seen online. I was unsure about the car and Bilal wasn’t pushy but invited me to return on Sunday to test drive the car again which I did, unsure about a few technical items on the car Bilal very kind & patiently went through everything with me. I ended up buying the car & wanted to say a big shout out to Bilal you have been a super star , I would highly recommend Bilal

9 August 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Carbase

Thank you for taking the time to recognise Bilal and the service he provided. It’s wonderful to hear that you were given the time and space to make your decision at your own pace, with everything clearly explained along the way. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with Bilal, and we wish you many happy miles in your new Peugeot.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Joe was fantastic start to finish

Joe was fantastic start to finish, no question unanswered, showed me every bit of the car & spoke through all the products available to me

10 August 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Carbase

What a great review, thank you for sharing! It’s brilliant to know Joe kept you well informed, took the time to show you around the car and clearly explained the options available. We appreciate you sharing your experience with us.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great customer service without pushy…

Great customer service without pushy sales, making it a more enjoyable experience.

6 August 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Carbase

Thanks for the great feedback. We want buying a car to feel relaxed and enjoyable, with plenty of space to make the right decision for you, so it’s lovely to know that came across during your visit. We really appreciate your review!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I'd endorse Carbase Weston Super Mare…

I'd endorse Carbase Weston Super Mare because they're very friendly, straight to the point, explained everything clearly. After my test drive there was a problem with the reversing camera and tyre pressure monitoring system, Neil got the mechanics on the situation and I was still able to drive away within an hour. 😁

24 July 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Carbase

Thank you for recommending Carbase Weston-super-Mare. It’s great to hear you found the team friendly, clear and straightforward throughout your visit. Thanks for choosing Carbase, we hope you enjoy your new car! 😁

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great service from Steve and Max

Great service from Steve and Max. two hours and we had a test drive,bought the car, taed it for us, good deal on trade in, and two coffees. Brilliant

8 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

We’re delighted Steve and Max helped make everything straightforward, from the test drive and part exchange through to getting you on the road in your new car. Glad the coffees helped too! Thanks for the brilliant feedback and enjoy your new car.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I'd recommend Carbase Bristol to a…

I'd recommend Carbase Bristol to a friend because Mirgen ZyfiThe person working at this company is a really great guy. I believe that every employee represents the face of the company, and in this instance, it was a friendly Albanian guy. He was polite and welcoming, providing the kind of service and care that every customer deserves. I wish nothing but prosperity for both him and the company. Best regards, Alexanders

6 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for your recommendation and thoughtful comments. It’s wonderful to hear that Mirgen made you feel welcome and looked after throughout your visit. We’ll make sure your kind words are passed on to him, and we really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience with us.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

A 190-mile round trip... that ended with me buying a Suzuki.

Last Sunday I set off from Exeter with one goal: to buy a 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid from Carbase Bristol.

I'd reserved the vehicle with the £99 refundable reservation, read the advert carefully and, because Carbase is an RAC Approved Dealer, expected it to have been prepared to a very high standard. This wasn't a casual Sunday outing. I'd already arranged my finances, had the outstanding balance sitting in my bank account ready to transfer, and fully intended to drive home in the RAV4 if it matched the advert.

Unfortunately, that's not how the day unfolded.

To be fair, the RAV4 drove very nicely. The hybrid system was smooth, the engine felt healthy and mechanically it seemed perfectly respectable. The disappointment wasn't how it drove. The disappointment was how it had been presented.

The overall impression was simply... grubby.

Not "well used". Not "needs a quick wipe over". Just grubby.

It certainly didn't look like a vehicle that had been professionally valeted before being shown to a customer who had travelled nearly 100 miles to see it.

We found cracked trim inside the boot, a chunk of paint missing from the rear spoiler, fogged rear lights, a missing undertray clip, all four alloy wheels heavily scuffed, and dirt still sitting in the door shuts, seals and panel gaps.

None of those issues alone would have stopped me buying the car. Together they suggested very little attention had been paid to preparing it.

For an RAC Approved Dealer, that was the biggest disappointment. My expectations hadn't been set by wishful thinking, they'd been set by Carbase's own advertising.

The advert proudly mentioned one owner, Toyota dealer service history, an RAC Multi-Point Inspection and RAC Approved status. What it didn't mention were the cosmetic defects that became obvious within minutes. The photographs certainly knew how to pick their angles. Unfortunately, they didn't tell the whole story.

Before I'd really decided whether I wanted the car, the conversation moved onto finance, extended warranties, alloy wheel insurance and paint protection.

Ordinarily that wouldn't bother me, but considering the condition of the car, it felt rather like being offered an extended warranty on a toaster that was still covered in crumbs.

Another surprise was my part exchange. Before anyone had even looked at my Citroën C3, I was told it probably wouldn't achieve the online valuation. I completely understand an online valuation is only an estimate until the car is inspected. What seemed odd was reaching that conclusion before anyone had actually inspected it.

Ironically, Tracks Suzuki in Exeter later looked over the C3 properly, commented on how clean and well maintained it was and offered me a very fair part exchange.

When I explained why I wasn't proceeding with the Toyota, I got the impression my feedback wasn't of much interest. Meanwhile, while I was deciding whether to spend over £16,000, several members of staff were chatting about the previous evening while browsing their phones. It didn't exactly create the impression that customer experience was a priority.

To be fair, there were positives. The £99 reservation was refunded promptly, the RAV4 drove well and the staff were polite.

However, buying a used car is about more than how it drives.

Preparation matters. Presentation matters. First impressions matter. Most importantly, customers matter.

Looking back, Carbase didn't simply lose the sale of a Toyota. They lost a genuine buyer who had travelled nearly 100 miles, had the money ready to transfer that day and intended to buy the car if it had matched the advert.

One thing businesses sometimes underestimate is the power of word of mouth. When I returned to work, several colleagues asked how the trip had gone. Instead of recommending Carbase, I found myself explaining why I'd walked away. That's not the conversation I expected after visiting an RAC Approved Dealer.

The irony is that Carbase actually did me a favour.

Driving home disappointed led me to visit Tracks Suzuki in Exeter, just ten minutes from my house. A few days later I bought a 2022 Suzuki S-Cross Ultra ALLGRIP from them.

The difference in vehicle preparation, attention to detail and overall customer experience was remarkable.

So, in a rather roundabout way... thank you, Carbase.

Without that disappointing Sunday in Bristol, I probably wouldn't have ended up buying the car that was actually right for me.

Sometimes the wrong dealership leads you to the right one.

2 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are sorry that the overall experience did not meet the expectations you had when making the journey to visit us. We appreciate you also recognising the positive aspects of your visit. The concerns you have raised will be reviewed with the relevant team. All the best

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Tony was great got everything and…

Tony was great got everything and answered every question I had! Not too pushy either!

7 August 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Carbase

Really pleased to hear you had such a positive experience with Tony. Having your questions answered while still being given the space to make your own decision is exactly the kind of experience we want for our customers. Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic experience with Neil today…

Fantastic experience with Neil today from start to finish best experience I’ve had from carbase! Neil made the buying of my new car the best smoothest there could be thankyou neil

7 August 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Carbase

Thank you for sharing such a lovely review. It’s great to know Neil made the whole experience feel smooth and straightforward from start to finish. We’ll be sure your kind comments are shared with him, and we hope you enjoy your new car!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent experience

Excellent experience

2 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for the great feedback. We’re really pleased you had an excellent experience with us and appreciate you taking the time to leave a review.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

I purchased a car on the 30th June,knew…

I purchased a car on the 30th June,knew it was a bit over priced but in fairness it was in great condition etc
After a week I noticed a small sound and Upton taking it to a local garage they noticed both rear tyres were out of shape!! RAC inspected ?? I done a vehicle check prior to buying which showed on both recent MOTs that an advisory on this issue was mentioned ...
Countless emails and a few calls I was promised a refund of the tyres ... 3 weeks on and nothing !! Pushy sales team,shocking after sales ... Something so simple to resolve...!! Wouldn't use these again

30 June 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback. We're sorry to hear that your ownership experience has left you feeling disappointed. We appreciate your comments regarding the concerns you have raised and your experience communicating with our aftersales team. Your feedback will be reviewed so we can better understand what happened and assess whether there are any improvements we can make to our processes. 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

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Good sales , very poor aftersales

Whilst the sales process is good and everyone is very keen and helpful, post sales is appalling with no one answering phones or following up, calling back or seemingly caring at all.

You have to judge a company by its complete service and in this respect Carbase lets itself down badly.

31 May 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for sharing your feedback. We're pleased to hear that you had a positive experience during the sales process, but we're sorry that your experience afterwards has left you feeling disappointed. We appreciate your comments regarding our aftersales communication, and we will review the points you've raised so we can better understand where improvements may be 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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Vanbase

I’d like to thank Tyler for the excellent service I received when buying my van. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and took the time to explain everything clearly, making the whole process straightforward and stress-free. Nothing was too much trouble, and I was extremely happy with both the service and the van. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Tyler to anyone looking to buy a vehicle. Thank you!

5 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We're delighted to hear that Tyler provided such excellent service and made the process of buying your van clear, straightforward, and stress-free. It's great to know you felt well looked after throughout, and we'll be sure to pass your kind words on to Tyler. We really appreciate your recommendation and hope you enjoy your new van for many miles to come.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great experience

Great experience. Customer service both over the phone and from Neil in showroom was very helpful.

2 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for your lovely feedback. We're pleased to hear you had a great experience and that both our team over the phone and Neil in the showroom were so helpful throughout your visit. We'll make sure your kind comments are shared with Neil. We appreciate you choosing Carbase and hope you enjoy your new car.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Helpful but not pushy.

Helpful but not pushy.
Great selection of cars
The whole process was easy and I never felt rushed.
The team member that sold me the car, Lee was fantastic.

3 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for taking the time to leave such a great review. We're delighted to hear that you found the process straightforward and relaxed, and that you never felt under any pressure. It's also great to know that Lee helped make your experience such a positive one, and we'll be sure to pass your kind comments along. We really appreciate your recommendation and hope you enjoy your new car.

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