Carbase Reviews 

6,230
TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

4.3

While we don't verify specific claims because reviewers' opinions are their own, we may label reviews as "Verified" when we can confirm a business interaction took place. Read more

To protect platform integrity, every review on our platform—verified or not—is screened by our 24/7 automated software. This technology is designed to identify and remove content that breaches our guidelines, including reviews that are not based on a genuine experience. We recognise we may not catch everything, and you can flag anything you think we may have missed. Read more

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

5-star
4-star
3-star
2-star
1-star

Asks customers to review

This company invites their customers to review, whether positive or negative

Replied to 100% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 24 hours

How this company uses Trustpilot

See how their reviews and ratings are sourced, scored, and moderated.

4.3

All reviews

(6,230)

1,188 reviews in the last 12 months

Write a review
Companies on Trustpilot aren't allowed to offer incentives or pay to hide reviews. Reviews are the opinions of individual users and not of Trustpilot. Read more

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

great transparent sales oricess

helpful and transparent sales process.alk questions answered and no heavy selling techniques.

1 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

The sales process was helpful and transparent. All of our questions were answered clearly, and there were no heavy selling techniques or pressure throughout the experience.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Tom from Weston was Friendly

Tom from Weston was Friendly, helpful and worked hard to get me a good deal.

1 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for your lovely review, we are so pleased that you enjoyed your time with Tom and the team. We wish you many happy miles in your new car.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Joe the salesman was brilliant answered…

Joe the salesman was brilliant answered all questions and kept me updated on everything very friendly and made the process really easy

4 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for your kind review. We're delighted to hear that Joe made the process straightforward and kept you informed throughout. It's great to know he was able to answer your questions and provide a friendly, helpful service. We really appreciate your feedback and hope you enjoy your new car.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

False prices and lack of responses

Further edit: After sending my complaint to the CEO, I miraculously had contact within hours. I have been told the Owners Club is indeed optional so don't believe their pressure tactics or them telling you it is mandatory.

Update: its now mid August. I have been contacted by an after sales rep who has now still ignored my response to him for 2 weeks. Weve also dicovered the car has also a fault that needs repairing.

While happy with the sales process and the sales representative, we left with a slight sour taste which has worsened after 2 weeks of trying to get hold of aftersales and being ignored.

Firstly, the car had clearly not been cleaned inside or out. We found used socks, a toy car and a travel money receipt (complete with previous owners details on!), and there was no end of spider webs and dirt inside the car. This is a fairly minor thing really, but felt it worth mentioning.

Secondly, and the biggest gripe, is the 'Owner Club' fee. Given that we found the car on AutoTrader, as I imagine a fair number of customers would, there is absolutely no mention of needing to pay £500 extra! Then upon looking at the Carbase website, it says we will 'offer you the chance to join', suggests this is optional, however we were told that this was not optional. We do not live close to the dealership so therefore will not be able to make use of the 'benefits', had no prior knowledge of this charge and had already sorted out finance based on the advertised price. I seriously would suggest the policy needs reviewing as this is falsely advertising the price of the cars and the 'chance' to join a club.

Also Carbase could probably save yourselves thousands by removing the complaints/after sales team, they don't respond to emails, calls or web form submissions anyway.

26 July 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're pleased to hear that you were happy with the sales process and your interaction with the sales team, although we're sorry that other aspects of your experience have left you feeling dissatisfied. We note your comments regarding the vehicle presentation, the Owners Club membership and the communication you have received since your purchase. As you have already tried to contact us, we will review the recent correspondence and the handling of your enquiry so we can better understand what may have happened and reach out to you. We appreciate you bringing these points to our attention, as feedback of this nature helps us identify where our processes may need further consideration.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic service

Fantastic service! I was feeling quite nervous about our first EV purchase. Mirgen Zyfi allayed my fears - he was kind, reassuring and provided the practical support I needed. I arrived at 14:30, and was out the door and on the road at 17:30, having had a test drive, got my VW charged up, and with all the necessary paperwork done by the business manager and Tara. Excellent service all round and special thanks to Mirgen!

30 July 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for taking the time to leave such a lovely review. We're delighted to hear that Mirgen helped make your first EV purchase a positive and reassuring experience, and that everything from the test drive through to the handover went smoothly. It's also great to know that Tara and the Business Manager played a part in ensuring everything was ready for you before you set off. We really appreciate your kind words and hope you enjoy many happy miles in your new Volkswagen.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

My son bought a volvo v90 off Carbase…

My son bought a volvo v90 off Carbase just over 8 weeks ago. It developed a fault after 28 days. Now the trouble has started, he's owed £450 for attempted repairs, they don't reply to emails and keep him on hold when he tries to ring to sort the problem. Very efficient in selling you a car, useless when it comes to dealing with problems. The cars fault was reported within 30 days, they haven't tried very hard to deal with its issues so it will be coming back for a full refund. From this experience I would suggest you avoid
Edit, phoned them this morning and was promised a phone call from the service manager. Still no contact from them 😕
Son spent 1 hour on hold with service, no answer and hung up. I spoke with sales reception at 2.00pm who were very apologetic and sent another email to service to ring him urgently. No phone call, so we've sent a recorded letter to initiate a ccj claim for refund.

3 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

We're sorry to hear that your son has been left feeling dissatisfied with his experience. We appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback and we will review the matter, including the recent correspondence and the handling of the case, so we can better understand what has happened. 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

Really good service by John

We have been seen by John and he was great..explained everything to us and it was a fantastic experience.

2 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for your wonderful review. We're delighted to hear that John made your experience such a positive one by taking the time to explain everything clearly. Your kind feedback is greatly appreciated, and we hope you enjoy your new car.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Our primary contact was Ray Cox

Our primary contact was Ray Cox. Extremely helpful and informative and not pushy.

30 July 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for your lovely review. We're delighted to hear that Ray was so helpful and informative, and that you felt comfortable throughout your visit without any pressure. We really appreciate your kind feedback and hope you enjoy your new car.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

A good place to buy a car

Carbase staff members are extremely helpful, professional and friendly.

29 July 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for your kind review. We're delighted to hear that you found our team helpful, professional and friendly. We really appreciate your feedback and hope you enjoy your new car.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I'd suggest Vanbase Bristol to a friend…

I'd suggest Vanbase Bristol to a friend because I received excellent customer service from both Ella and Jon. I would 100% recommend this company

31 July 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for your fantastic review and recommendation. We're delighted to hear that Ella and Jon provided you with excellent customer service and helped make your experience such a positive one. Your kind words and recommendation mean a great deal to us, and we hope you enjoy your new vehicle.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Car Purchase

The staff at Carbase Bristol were good because the showroom was clean, the car was well presented, the sales executive was kind and helpful, test drive was promptly arranged, the dealing was handled without any pressure, and the whole process was quick and easy.

1 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for your fantastic review. We're delighted to hear that you had such a positive experience at Carbase Bristol and that you found the whole process straightforward and efficient. It's great to know the presentation of the showroom and vehicle, along with the helpful approach of the team and the relaxed atmosphere, all contributed to making your visit an enjoyable one. We really appreciate your feedback and hope you enjoy your new car.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Simple and easy process

Simple and easy process

1 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for your review. We're pleased to hear you found the process simple and easy. We appreciate your feedback and hope you enjoy your new car.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic Experience at Carbase Lympsham

The service was excellent from start to finish, and all of the staff were friendly, welcoming, and professional. They were extremely helpful in arranging the finance for my car and took the time to explain everything clearly, making sure I understood all the details about the car and the purchase process. Nothing was too much trouble, and I never felt under any pressure. I would highly recommend Carbase Lympsham to anyone looking for great customer service, and I will definitely be recommending them to my family and friends. Really pleased with my new car!

31 July 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for taking the time to leave such a wonderful review. We're delighted to hear that you had such a positive experience from start to finish and that the team made the process clear, straightforward and pressure free. It's especially pleasing to know you felt well supported throughout your purchase and would recommend Carbase Lympsham to your family and friends. We really appreciate your kind words and hope you enjoy every mile in your new car.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

First class service all round

First class service all round. From first viewing the car to buying it, you couldn’t ask for a better team to take you through the seamless process and explain everything in detail. I can’t recommend them enough.

1 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed such a positive experience from your first visit through to collecting your car. It's great to know the team made the process straightforward and took the time to explain everything clearly along the way. Your recommendation is greatly appreciated, and we hope you enjoy your new car. Thank you for choosing Carbase.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Looked after from start to finish

Looked after from start to finish
Very busy carbase look ing after other customers as well
Your staff are very helpful in all ways
Felt we were so important at time of sales with both cars
Thankyou

25 July 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for your kind feedback. We’re pleased to hear that you felt well looked after throughout both purchases and that the team remained helpful and attentive, even during a busy period. It means a great deal to know you felt valued at each stage, and we appreciate you choosing Carbase for both cars.

The Trustpilot Experience

Anyone can write a Trustpilot review. People who write reviews have ownership to edit or delete them at any time, and they’ll be displayed as long as an account is active.

We use dedicated people and clever technology to safeguard our platform. Find out how we combat fake reviews.

Learn about Trustpilot’s review process.

Here are 8 tips for writing great reviews.

Verification can help ensure real people are writing the reviews you read on Trustpilot.

Offering incentives for reviews or asking for them selectively can bias the TrustScore, which goes against our guidelines.

Take a closer look