Recommendations - Bristol area
Discussion
My niece moved to Bristol last year. Unfortunately she was recently in a no-fault accident and she's just heard that her car will be a write-off. She currently has a replacement car from the insurance but they've told her that she has to return it within 48 hours of their pay-out, which will probably happen quite soon.
She doesn't know the area very well - and I'm not even in the UK - so I'm looking for recommendations for trustworthy garages in the Bristol area. She has a budget of around £5000 but I'll top this up if that's not enough to get something reliable.
Given that Bristol isn't exactly car-friendly and she does mostly short journeys I'm thinking petrol rather than diesel.
Grateful for any suggestions.
She doesn't know the area very well - and I'm not even in the UK - so I'm looking for recommendations for trustworthy garages in the Bristol area. She has a budget of around £5000 but I'll top this up if that's not enough to get something reliable.
Given that Bristol isn't exactly car-friendly and she does mostly short journeys I'm thinking petrol rather than diesel.
Grateful for any suggestions.
Oh yikes, £5k and good in Bristol,
There is a carbase, they deal with volume and prep things well, but at 5k there won't be a lot. Car shop had just changed to Sytner Select, no idea what the difference is. Again, 5k, difficult. The Ford garage at Ashton Gate is pretty good for second hand and non Ford stuff, talk to Tyler, young and surprisingly eager to help. There are a shed load of places along Fishponds Road who have cars they've bought for £1200 at BCA up at 5k, but you never know, and at the back of Temple Meads train station (close to carbase) there are a few worth a look. I'd try and auto trader search first then get a feel for where might be worth half a day or less of looking around when you've (she's) seen anything of interest. There is a lot of stock movement that's for sure, esp at the lower end still. Gumtree also shows up a lot of small traders avoid anything on the A420/ Lawrence Hill area, genuinely stabby, plenty of DIY paint shops trying to polish turds.
There is a carbase, they deal with volume and prep things well, but at 5k there won't be a lot. Car shop had just changed to Sytner Select, no idea what the difference is. Again, 5k, difficult. The Ford garage at Ashton Gate is pretty good for second hand and non Ford stuff, talk to Tyler, young and surprisingly eager to help. There are a shed load of places along Fishponds Road who have cars they've bought for £1200 at BCA up at 5k, but you never know, and at the back of Temple Meads train station (close to carbase) there are a few worth a look. I'd try and auto trader search first then get a feel for where might be worth half a day or less of looking around when you've (she's) seen anything of interest. There is a lot of stock movement that's for sure, esp at the lower end still. Gumtree also shows up a lot of small traders avoid anything on the A420/ Lawrence Hill area, genuinely stabby, plenty of DIY paint shops trying to polish turds.
Edited by macron on Wednesday 26th June 22:37
She's seen a BMW 1 series (2014 116i)) with a year's MOT at a dealer. I know nothing about BMW. Anything specific to look out for on this model?
I appreciate it's a difficult question to answer, but what are the thoughts about a "safe" level to pay for second-hand car in the UK? (I don't mind subsidising her but I've been out of the UK since the '90's).
I appreciate it's a difficult question to answer, but what are the thoughts about a "safe" level to pay for second-hand car in the UK? (I don't mind subsidising her but I've been out of the UK since the '90's).
Edited by sunbeam alpine on Friday 23 August 14:29
My mum has bought her last two cars here. Only a couple close to your budget but the times I have been there the stock has looked pretty tidy
No affiliation other than as above
https://www.colinludwellcars.co.uk/
No affiliation other than as above
https://www.colinludwellcars.co.uk/
If she has a car currently form the insurance could be worth an hours drive to Trade Center Wales north of Cardiff (The Abercynon branch not Neath) it's M4 and A470 all the way essentially.
I have never bought a car there or know anyone that has personally but you see their sticker on a lot of cars around South Wales - they have a lot of radio advertising and have a jingle that is stuck in my memory from many years ha.
They have also been going for donkey's years so can't be truly terrible, but it is a car supermarket to set expectations accordingly etc.
A quick glance shows a lot of kit at about the £5-6K mark?
https://www.thetradecentrewales.co.uk/
In Cardiff more centrally all the car dealers are on 2 adjacent roads (Penarth Road and Hadfield road) as well (apart from VW) so could do some intensive shopping of all the brands in one hit if Trade Center doesn't have anything - although I feel like the budget may limit you in the franchise dealers, but there is Dacia, Mini, MG, Toyota, Ford all within a few hundred yards of one another that could be worth a glance maybe.
Not sure if Bristol has similar set up with garages I don't know it that well apart from picking up a car from the BCA site previously so not sure if the Cardiff option is any good.
I have never bought a car there or know anyone that has personally but you see their sticker on a lot of cars around South Wales - they have a lot of radio advertising and have a jingle that is stuck in my memory from many years ha.
They have also been going for donkey's years so can't be truly terrible, but it is a car supermarket to set expectations accordingly etc.
A quick glance shows a lot of kit at about the £5-6K mark?
https://www.thetradecentrewales.co.uk/
In Cardiff more centrally all the car dealers are on 2 adjacent roads (Penarth Road and Hadfield road) as well (apart from VW) so could do some intensive shopping of all the brands in one hit if Trade Center doesn't have anything - although I feel like the budget may limit you in the franchise dealers, but there is Dacia, Mini, MG, Toyota, Ford all within a few hundred yards of one another that could be worth a glance maybe.
Not sure if Bristol has similar set up with garages I don't know it that well apart from picking up a car from the BCA site previously so not sure if the Cardiff option is any good.
LastPoster said:
My mum has bought her last two cars here. Only a couple close to your budget but the times I have been there the stock has looked pretty tidy
No affiliation other than as above
https://www.colinludwellcars.co.uk/
A few neighbours have bought some very nice cars from there. I'd avoid Carshop though.No affiliation other than as above
https://www.colinludwellcars.co.uk/
These guys are certainly worth a look at:
https://www.benedictsofbristol.co.uk/
I almost bought a Landcruiser from them (I decided in the end to engine my Disco4). They were really helpful and all of their cars were beautifully prepared, fully serviced etc.
When I'm looking again, I shall certainly be having a look at what they have in stock:
https://www.benedictsofbristol.co.uk/
I almost bought a Landcruiser from them (I decided in the end to engine my Disco4). They were really helpful and all of their cars were beautifully prepared, fully serviced etc.
When I'm looking again, I shall certainly be having a look at what they have in stock:
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