Great bits: initial call to book appointment, communication, understanding and enthusiasm from sales person (Bilal), good range of vehicles, efficient service for part exchange and lovely purchase.... See more
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Review summary
Created with AI, based on recent reviews
What people talk about most
Reviews shaping this summary
Good range of cars, but can't give 5 stars, as sales experience took ages when coming to collect the car. (4.5 hours with a trade in and finance, rather long!). The car was immaculate though, and... See more
Company replied
John was fantastic at leading the test drives and was clearly knowledgeable about the cars available. Other staff were also welcoming and patient and the premises were very well looked after. Will go... See more
Company replied
Excellent smooth, honest and professional service. We were helped with our purchase from Carbase by Danny Port. He was friendly, polite and very helpful. Danny guided through the whole process which... See more
Company replied
Company details
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
Netham Road, BS5 9PJ, Bristol, United Kingdom
- 0117 405 7868
- sales@carbase.co.uk
- www.carbase.co.uk
4.3
Excellent
6K reviews
Replied to 99% of negative reviews
Typically replies within 24 hours
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I had a great experience at Car Base
I had a great experience at Car Base, thanks to Neil. From the moment I arrived, he was friendly, approachable, and really took the time to understand what I was looking for. He was knowledgeable without being pushy, which made the whole process feel relaxed and comfortable.
Neil answered all my questions clearly and honestly, and I felt confident in the information he gave me. He went above and beyond to make sure I was happy with my choice and made the entire experience smooth from start to finish.
I would definitely recommend Car Base, especially if you get the chance to deal with Neil. Excellent customer service!
April 10, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. It is great to hear that Neil provided a friendly and informative approach, helping you feel comfortable and confident throughout the process. We appreciate your recommendation and your kind comments about the service you received.
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Good day
I spent five weeks looking for the right vehicle for myself and was finding it a bit tedious and stressful. I then came to Vanbase. Tyler and all the staff were really good and I am that pleased.
I decided to write on here.
April 4, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
Thank you for sharing your experience. It is great to hear that Tyler and the team were able to make the process feel easier after what had been a long search. We appreciate you taking the time to leave your feedback and your kind comments.
Excellent customer service
Excellent customer service! I couldn't have ask for more from their very helpful staff who exceeded my expectations
April 8, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
Thank you for your kind feedback. It is great to hear that the team were so helpful and that your experience exceeded expectations. We appreciate you taking the time to share your comments.
Joe @ Bristol carbase
For the 2nd or 3rd time I've been lucky enough to be assisted by Mr joe Ramsey, at Bristol carbase. Joe always makes the experience an enjoyable one, and he is very knowledgeable about all aspects of purchasing a car. Thanks joe
Helen phelps
April 8, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
Thank you for your continued support and for taking the time to share your experience. It is great to hear that Joe has consistently provided a knowledgeable and enjoyable experience when assisting you. We appreciate your kind comments and will ensure they are passed on.
AVOID
Twelfth review for carbase, so I was informed on the 2nd April my car was ready to collect after nine weeks being without a car. As you can imagine if you read my previous reviews I have been fighting to get my money back for this car as I’ve had numerous issues. I was left with no choice with having no car I had to collect whilst still trying to get my money back. So the car was collected on the 2nd April however whilst driving home the engine management light came on. I emailed carbase to report this when I got home and as yet still haven’t had a response. So again I’m left with a car I can’t drive as I’m unsure of it’s safe to drive. With carbase again ignoring my emails.
The MOT is out on this car next month and over the year since the last one it has only done 2k miles as it’s been off road most of that time however if the engine management light is on it’s an MOT failure
April 8, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
We recognise this has been an ongoing and complex situation, and we are sorry to hear that your experience remains unresolved. Concerns relating to recurring faults and communication are important and will be reviewed carefully so that a full understanding of the history and recent events can be established. We understand this has been a difficult process for you, and your comments will be considered as part of that review. If you would like to discuss matters further, please feel free to contact our team on 0117 911 5428, or via email at complaints@carbase.co.uk
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Great service went well beyond what I…
Great service went well beyond what I expected thank you joe for the service you provided and thanks to all the team involved
April 7, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
Thank you for your kind feedback. It is great to hear that the service exceeded your expectations and that Joe, along with the wider team, made a positive impression. We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.
Great Service
Appointment was made for Friday at 16:00. Car was test driven and bought within 2 hours, and that was on Good Friday.
April 3, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
Thank you for your feedback. It is great to hear that everything moved efficiently on the day and that you were able to complete your test drive and purchase in a short space of time, especially over a busy bank holiday period. We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.
Friendly salespeople but lengthy sales process and low trade-in price
The salesperson was friendly and knowledgeable but it took over 3 hours to go for a test drive and complete the paperwork because he was attending to more than one customer at the same time and had to wait for his Manager to sign off on certain things. Have marked down for trying to reduce the original given trade-in price by 45% simply on the basis of incomplete service history and a couple of scratches to paintwork on an otherwise clean vehicle with all paperwork and keys- seemed a bit harsh. Was told that trade-in prices are given on the basis of immaculate, "showroom ready" cars so worth checking your trade-in value before test driving so you have a more accurate idea.
April 6, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. It is good to hear that you found the salesperson friendly and knowledgeable, although we are sorry that the process took longer than expected on the day. Your comments regarding waiting times and how trade-in valuations are communicated have been noted and will be reviewed, as we understand how important clarity is when making these decisions. We appreciate your balanced feedback.
Joe was really helpful
Joe was really helpful, and friendly and made the process easy
April 3, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
Thank you for your feedback. It is great to hear that Joe made the process feel straightforward and that you found him friendly and helpful throughout. We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.
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How buying a car should be done
From start to finish the whole experience of purchasing a car was easy,well structured, you are kept up to date so it's clear how the process works and where you are within it. They are very proffesional throughout the buying process,not pushy at all but informative and are there to help you achieve you purchase. I would definitely use them again and recommend them.
April 6, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
Thank you for sharing your experience. It is great to hear that the process felt clear and well organised from start to finish, and that the team provided helpful support without pressure. We appreciate your recommendation and your kind comments.
Bought a car today Neil dealt with us…
Bought a car today Neil dealt with us he made the process of buying the car very easy. He was very professional extremely helpful easy to talk to and nice personality
April 6, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. It is great to hear that Neil made the process feel straightforward and approachable, and that you found him helpful and professional throughout. We appreciate your kind comments.
I love the car i bought but,staff are…
I love the car i bought but,staff are good and they are there too sale.
I advise on checking the RAC insurance they sale like wheels and paint. Not worth it I was conned,simple as that.
Their repair service needs looking at, I have the warranty and I've been waiting for a repair for two week's and then they say this can be done on kia warranty and can't be done for 6 weeks.
I have put a complaint in twice and had nothing back so, now I have to get in touch with the ombudsman.
February 1, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
We are sorry to hear that your experience after purchase has been frustrating, particularly around the repair timescales and the lack of response to your complaint. Concerns regarding communication, warranty processes, and how additional products are explained are important, and your comments will be reviewed so we can better understand what may have happened here. 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
Booking a test drive sped up process
The first time we went to Carbase we just looked around the cars trying to find which ones we liked and were happy with not being approached by staff trying to sell us something. The next weekend we attended after booking a test drive and the sales representative wasn't pushy but explained about the car before we went out. Once back and we had agreed to buy the car, the sales representative spoke quite fast and it was quite loud in there so we did feel a bit rushed but it was a Saturday. We had to speak to someone different about the payment/finance and unfortunately they could not take payment from a card/credit card so we had to move savings and do a bank transfer which I was not expecting at the time which was slightly irritating. They do try to sell you lots of add ons, a scratch resistant paint policy, inside spills/damage policy and a 6 month warranty. But we managed to drive away within 3 hours of the test drive with a new car. Overall a good experience.
March 28, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. It is wonderful to hear that you felt comfortable during your visits and that the approach taken allowed you to make your decision without undue pressure. We note your comments regarding the pace and environment during the purchase stage, as well as the payment process and additional products discussed, and these will be considered as part of ongoing review. We are pleased the overall experience was a good one and that you were able to drive away the same day.
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Purchased a Mercedes EQC
Purchased a Mercedes EQC
Mirgel our sales manager was absolutely great from start to finish we were over an hour late due to motorway traffic but he said no issues then stayed late with us after closing to complete the deal
He then found us a plug in charger and made sure the car was valeted and ready to to pick up in about 24 hours
Great Service would highly recommend the team at Bristol
April 4, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
Thank you for sharing your experience. It is great to hear that Mirgen provided supportive and flexible assistance, particularly with the change in timing, and ensured everything was ready for collection in a short timeframe. We appreciate your recommendation and your kind comments about the team.
Jaydon was fantastic
Jaydon was fantastic. Professional, but also very personable. He made us feel at ease throughout the whole process. The process was seamless.
April 3, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. It is great to hear that Jaydon struck the right balance of professionalism and approachability, helping you feel comfortable throughout. We are pleased the process felt smooth from start to finish and appreciate your kind comments.
Avoid Avoid Avoid.
April 4, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
We are sorry to see this feedback and that your experience left you feeling this way. We would welcome the opportunity to better understand what may have led to this impression and to review it internally. 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
Neil was great today and very helpful
Neil was great today and very helpful! Would highly recommend!
April 4, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
Thank you for your kind feedback. It is great to hear that Neil was able to assist you in a helpful way during your visit. We appreciate your recommendation and you taking the time to share your experience.
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Tony was brilliant
Tony was brilliant.
Prices very fair. Quick easy and hassle free
April 4, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
Thank you for your feedback. It is great to hear that Tony made the process feel quick, straightforward and easy, and that you were pleased with the pricing. We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.
Poor service
Poor service, was advised I would get free drive Away insurance and on the day I was then advised I had to pay extra warranty to get the insurance, overall service was just not great and not what you’d expect when you go and buy your daughter‘s first car
April 3, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
We are sorry to hear that your experience did not meet expectations, particularly around the information provided regarding drive away insurance. We understand how important clarity is when making arrangements for a first car, and your comments will be reviewed to better understand how this was communicated. 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
Helpful, polite and professional staff
Availability of staff and cars to check out. Test drive 2, bought one. Part exchanged mine. Helpful, polite and professional staff. Mirgen was particularly helpful and patient with me!
March 21, 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Carbase
Thank you for sharing your experience. It is great to hear that you were able to take the time to explore your options and that the process, including your part exchange, felt smooth and well supported. We are pleased that Mirgen made a positive impression and provided patient and helpful assistance throughout.
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