Gates Automotive Reviews 

I went in the showroom looking to replace my car where it had continuous issues however, as soon as I sat down with Harry my mind was at ease. He was very informative and gave great advice on what car to go for (not to mention the great price on my part exchange). To top it all off, he wasn’t pushy, gave me a lot of time to think about my decision and I can’t fault this new car. I have driven it every single day so far and do not regret my decision to change to the ST. If you are looking for a car, I would highly recommend Harry and he deserves a promotion.

Aaron was extremely helpful, professional, informative and friendly.
Excellent sales person and his customer service was fantastic.
Purchased our Omoda at the end of May and we are really pleased with this vehicle.
Had an issue with wipers, which turned out to be our fault as we had hung an air freshener on the stalk...did I feel stupid, however the technician and staff were very accommodating and understanding.
Highly recommend purchasing from this great team!!

Had an amazing experience with Juhel at Waltham Cross! Super friendly, no pressure at all, and really took the time to make sure I found the right car. He answered all my questions and made the whole process way easier than I expected. If you’re looking to buy a car and want someone who actually cares and isn’t just trying to make a sale, go see him! Highly recommend!

Part exchanged my car today at Gates St Albans. Amazing service from James Callow. Very professional from start to finish. I have used This company for many years and have never had a problem. Love my new car. Thank you James 😁👍

Cameron was a really polite young man and talked us through all our options and the better deal for us. You can completely trust him.And Joe

Called gates harlow several times regarding a product recall. 1st time I was cut off then I couldn't get through and then a 2nd time I was cut off again. Useless place. I thought this was important and kinda urgent. I have to travel 300 miles today to get back home, I wanted them to look at it not necessarily do anything. Well if anything does happen I will hold ford liable for this . Not impressed at all

Decided to change my car and popped into Gates Woodford to see hat was available - server by James Hannon - had a look at a Ford Puma and thought that's the car for me!
James was very able and helped me thru the process and had an excellent 'style' about him - no real pressure and glad he assisted - many thanks, 5 Star service.

Just purchased a 69 plate focus active x 1.5 A lovely car with all the bells and whistles Collins the salesman was brilliant helped us with getting the best price for our trade in. Hand over was straight forward Collins is a credit to Gates at Stevenage

I can not thank the team enough for what they did and how they went above and beyond to help me with the situation I was in due to the recall notice and software update from hell on my Explorer. Danielle, Evette, Ben, David (and the wider team) thank you thank you thank you for showing what customer service is all about and truly putting the customer at the forefront of all you do.

An absolutely terrible company. Cannot do enough for you while selling a car. Have a problem and hear nothing at all. Avoid these cowboys.

SUCH AN EASY BUY, NO PRESSURE SALES AND DARYL WAS GENUINE, INFORMATIVE AND WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND TO SUIT OUR BUDGET!. AWESOME 👌 AMAZING highly recommend and find Daryl!

DARREN & TANYA

can't fault Lewis baldwin he even come in on his day off so I could pick car up. probably the best salesman I've delt with ever a real pleasure to deal with. after the bad experience with waltham cross branch st Albans branch put them to shame.

Over the last few years we have purchased out cars from Gates Chigwell road. Our experience we have and had with James Hanson is exemplary. As we are OAP he is aware of our capabilities with today’s technology he explains all we need to know in terms we understand. Always takes us through we need to know regarding the new purchased. Under James training Danny the new recruit will have an execellent teacher in James, we found Danny a very nice salesman too.
If only other companies had the same salesman with the same technic. THANK YOU GATES AND JAMES
BRENDA &ROBERT MOY

Just brought a ford kuga from gates woodford dealt with James hannon who made the experience so easy not at all pushy good advice many thanks

Another year of receiving a great, personalised service. Thank you James Hannon from Gates Woodford for your patience, perseverance and immense persistence in finding the car I was finally happy with. You’ve been my car dealer for several years now, always contactable and always deliver a professional satisfactory service. Fords bonus should be on its way!! Thanks again!

My wife and I recently bought a used Fiesta from Gates Woodford Green and had excellent service and advice from James Hannon throughout. I would also like to thank Danny who took us on the test drives and showed us around the cars.

DO NOT TRUST THEM, WILL RIP YOU OFF!!!


I purchased my 2019 Ford focus ST line in October 2023 for just under £18,000 with 17.300miles from Stevenage Fords-Gates. It was a fairly new car that had just been serviced and tbh Matt couldn’t have been more helpful getting everything in order for me to take the car. The only thing I didn’t get was the service history that I had asked for several times and was told it will be sent to me.

I recently returned to Stevenage Ford-Gates for a service and MOT
and remembered that I never did receive the service history. I asked if they could get it to add to my paperwork.
While waiting, I showed interest in a Jeep they had on the forecourt and took it out for a test drive (Big mistake).
When we got back I asked how much I would get trade in for my focus which had 25.800miles on the clock. He said about £11k maybe £11.500 max and I said yes and then put it out for £13/14k and he looked me straight in the eye and said YES…….most probably.
I told him I would have a think only because I have problems with my back and the jeep was easier for me to get in and out of.
A couple of hours later we received a call saying that the car had passed the MOT but had a few advisories. Some amber and one red.
All the parts were in stock and do i want them to go ahead.
Apparently…………
I needed new back Brakes and discs £321.84
Three new tyres @ £119.34 each and an engine bay loom and VCTs oil contamination £1040.30 which would cost me in total £1,720.16.
Also the history had been sent through via email.
It was a ex mobility car that had had a new clutch fitted at 11.595 miles and front brakes at 13,000 miles.
If I had known this, I would never of touched the car.

We went back to speak to someone about the amount of work needed and why the history was never sent over.
We spoke to the sales manager a guy named Duncan Peacham. He had zero customer service - he had no willingness to help us or offer any support with fixing the car. He’s precise words were “what do you want us to do about it” my partner said maybe help with some of the repairs and he said and I quote “ well that ain’t gonna happen”.
We went on to speak to the operations director Ben Lucas following the rude encounter and although politer, he was still unwilling to help.
I’ve always had a Ford, my first car was a Ford Cortina and I traded in my Ford Mondeo TDCI which I had from 2007 for the Focus but I can honestly say I’ve never felt more humiliated than I did walking out of that showroom.

Since then I’ve taken my car in for a second opinion to another garage and he found no oil leak, he said the engine was pristine both above and below, Brake pads were just under half worn, nothing wrong with the disc and all I needed was two back tyres.

These large corporate car garages just want to exploit you for every penny you have. I know we all have to make a living but to rip off loyal customers and blatantly sit there and tell you to your face they are going to do it is outrageous. Maybe we expect that from a little back street car sales but I really didn’t expect that from Fords.
I tried Fords complaint line and was told all I can do is take out a private action against Ford Stevenage……

Funny how a response comes through within a couple of hours saying it’s been handed over the the appropriate manager (Like they care)
STILL not heard a thing!!

Put car in for service and MOT (14/04/25) , got into the car (16/04/25) the service light came on. Mechanic had failed to reset the service light. I reset it. (17/04/25) Lot of noise for under the bonnet, found pair of radiator pipes and small radiator vibrating. Air filter plastic clip undone, both radiators wobbly. Plastic cover over the engine wobbly. B Max is 9 years old and done 14700 miles, it sounds like a tractor now. Don't know if it's safe to drive. Tried to phone the sevice department - no reply. Been back twice told the vibrations on the pipes and radiator are normal. We did discover the two jubilee clips between the air filter and the turbu were not tightened, the guy got a screwdriver and did them up. when I got home I got an endoscope on rediator mounting and found the top housing for the rubber mount too high allowing the rubber to flex.
Made second visit to Ford, this time the pipes and top radiator mounting was removed, reseated and the vibrations stopped. Told by dealer it's an old car we concider all cars over 5 years old as old cars, and do the minimum service. I paid for a service plan approx £324 a year. I have just cancelled it.
The cam belt service is not covered in the service agreement, but there is no mention of the water pump replacement not being covered in the agreement. The comment of it being an old car even with the exceptionally low mileage does not count with Fords. The cam belt service / replacement is about or greater then £1750.
I was adviced the car failed it's MOT due to a faulty stop tail bulb and it will cost £30.00 to replace it. We checked all the lights and other things before it went in for the MOT and was surprised the bulb blew in the interceeding 30 minutes of driving the car from my garage to the service centre. I was told they can blow at any time. This I accept, it was replaced FOC as I have spare set of bulbs in the back of the car. I was also informed the wipers were smearing, they will replace them for £58.00, I said leave them. Strangley these wipers were not smearing in the rain the next day. So why have I stayed so long with the main dealer!

I dealt with James all through the purchase of my new car and he was so helpful and made everything very easy for me. Patricia S.

Great help and advice in buying our new 'used' Ford. We've dealt with James Hannon before, who made the process really easy and also totally understood what we were looking for. Thanks again James. The car is fantastic.