Brayleys Cars - Brayley Hyundai St Albans Reviews 

Feedback on Brayleys Cars St Albans

This feedback is intended as a heads-up to customers considering servicing or repairs at Brayleys Cars in St Albans. It is based on my own experiences and a recent experience shared by a friend. My objective is not to seek a response from the dealership, but simply to encourage customers to review their service plans carefully and obtain a second opinion before authorising repairs or replacements.
Experience 1: Tyre Replacement Recommendation

A friend recently took her Hyundai Kona to Brayleys St Albans for a service. During the visit, she was advised that one of her tyres was damaged and needed replacing. According to her, the seriousness of the issue was strongly emphasised, to the point where she was told that if she were the advisor's wife, he would not allow her to drive the vehicle in that condition.

Fortunately, due to other commitments, she was unable to have the tyre replaced that day. Instead, she sought a second opinion from a local independent garage. The technician there examined the tyre and determined that it was a minor puncture that could be repaired safely and legally. The repair was completed quickly, and she has experienced no issues since.

The cost of the puncture repair was significantly lower than the price quoted for a replacement tyre. This experience reinforced the value of obtaining a second opinion before agreeing to potentially expensive work.

Experience 2: Battery Failure and Warranty Confusion

My second example is a personal experience.

I had a full service completed at Brayleys St Albans, and at the time no issues were identified with the vehicle. However, shortly afterwards, the standard 12-volt auxiliary battery failed.

I contacted the dealership and spoke with Michelle, who was extremely helpful. She advised me that the battery appeared to be covered under warranty and recommended that I visit Hyundai's service centre in Welwyn Garden City.

Because the battery issue was already affecting the vehicle's charging capability, I was concerned about driving the additional distance. Nevertheless, I followed the advice provided.

Upon arrival, I spoke to the technicians before switching the vehicle off. They advised that they could replace the battery immediately but quoted a charge of more than £100. When I explained that I had been informed the battery was under warranty, I was told that the warranty information was incorrect and that the battery replacement would need to be paid for by me.

Had I switched the vehicle off before speaking to the technicians, I may have been left with no practical option other than replacing the battery there and then. Instead, I left and visited a local garage, where the battery was replaced for £54.

My main concern was not simply the conflicting information regarding warranty coverage, but the fact that I had been advised to drive more than 15 miles with a battery issue and limited charging capability. The experience left me feeling frustrated and concerned about the advice I had been given.

Experience 3: Repeated MOT Charging Errors

My most recent experience occurred during my MOT appointment.

I booked the MOT in August and, based on previous experiences, specifically checked the cost beforehand. Initially, I was quoted a charge for the MOT. I explained that my service plan includes MOT cover and therefore there should be no additional charge. Following a review of the system, the charge was removed and an apology was provided.

Later, when the appointment was reconfirmed, I again received information indicating that I would be charged for the MOT. Once again, I had to explain that the MOT was included within my service plan.

Today, after the MOT was completed successfully, I was presented with an invoice for the MOT for a third time. I reminded the service advisor that the MOT was included within my plan. The explanation provided was that the information had not been noted correctly in my file.

While I appreciate that mistakes can happen, this issue occurred on three separate occasions. Given that staff have access to customer records and service-plan information, I would have expected these details to be verified before quotations and invoices were issued.

Based on these experiences, my advice to anyone visiting Brayleys St Albans would be:

Review your service plan carefully and understand exactly what is included.
Check any quotations against your service-plan benefits.
Do not be afraid to seek a second opinion before authorising repairs or replacements.
Ask questions if recommended work appears urgent or costly.

I am not looking for a response from the dealership. I simply hope that sharing these experiences helps other customers make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary expense.

very well organised
Liesa was very good and organised
i chated with Frank about a future purchase of a santa fe

It very good

I received excellent customer service from dropping my car off to collection.

Polite efficient service from booking to completion. Spotless waiting area.

Had a great experience when taking my son’s car for its service. Kept informed of the progress via the link and received a text to confirm when the work had been completed. Checking in the car was very prompt and efficient.

Everything went exactly as planned for my vehicle service, was contacted prior to the visit, all paperwork was prepared on arrival and I was informed as soon as the work was complete

Car goes in for mot and service and 2 days later turn fan on to demist windscreen and it's making a racket phone to get it looked at and given a date 3 months away it was perfectly fine before. The service has gone down hill since it became brayleys from coopers the place is too big and it services 2 showrooms so always massive waits for appointments. Very disappointed

Prompt attention from Liesa on the Service Reception desk when I arrived and work done well within the expected time frame while I waited. All staff polite, professional and friendly.
Only one, small negative - the coffee machine wasn't working!

The speed of the service was very good , had to wait with car as refused to pay £30 for a curtesy car as Hyundai garage that was on my doorstep closed and closest is now St Albans . Day of work for this. When arrived no space to park car as Garage forecourt is packed with new cars even the customer spaces which are not many. Booked in and the lady at desk did say she would try and get done ASAP as waiting for it. And she did manage that for me so.a big thank you for that. However coffees machine was broken and was never asked if I would like a drink or shown an alternative. Looked around all cars in show room and the 2 that I was particularly interested in. Not 1 salesman approached me.

On the whole an efficient service. As usual, the staff were very helpful and accommodating. Very disappointed to be charged over and above my service plan, for new spark plugs on a major service. I did question this at checkout and was advised that new spark plugs were removed from the service plan 2 years ago as it was costing too much money!

Welcoming and caring reception, excellent MOT & car service. I could collect my 7 year old i10 before the estimated collection time. Happy to extend my service plan to have a peace of mind.

The company and its staff are very communicative and I felt confident with the service I was getting. From the first booking (over the phone) to the reception staff when I took the car in. Everything was thoroughly explained and double checked through me. When I collected the car after its inspection and MoT the process was again very smooth.

Friendly welcoming staff wasn't worried at all quick easy pick up of the car. John who was helping me was lovely and when I picked the car up he got me to drive it around the block and explained all the different stuff to me very helpful

I had a really positive experience buying my new car. The sales assistant was kind, patient and informative, explaining everything clearly without ever making me feel pressured. He really put me at ease and made the whole process feel straightforward and enjoyable. A genuinely great sales assistant and a credit to the dealership.

First annual service £311 for kicking the tyres?! Changed me £30 for a dirty courtesy car that had active warning lights on the dash and did not clean my vehicle… I even had to return to get the book stamped as they hadn’t done it. Previous car was a Toyota and their servicing was far better deployed with video footage of the service itself and a thorough valet. Won’t be going here again!

I felt that the whole package surrounding the service was cursory. No warmth to the welcome, an environment that is empty and sterile, paying significantly for the servicing of an electric car that requires very little servicing and while the rate may be appropriate, the benefit of having the car cleaned - even that didn't happen. The car is till fine - no problems there but the transition to a new business owner appears to be very negative from the perspective of the client.

Great customer service and vehicle service completed on time