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After a great deal of thought, I’ve decided to leave an honest and balanced review based solely on my own personal experience.

I purchased my first car, a MINI Cooper, from Balham Cars Ltd. Unfortunately, the vehicle developed several faults almost immediately after collection, including issues that ultimately led me to exercise my legal right to reject the vehicle. To the dealership’s credit, they accepted the rejection and offered me a replacement vehicle, a Citroën C3, which I collected on 9th June. I genuinely enjoy driving my Citroën and I’m pleased with the replacement vehicle itself.

However, the journey to get to that point was one of the most stressful customer experiences I have ever had.

Communication was one of my biggest concerns. Throughout the process, I repeatedly had to chase for updates because I rarely received proactive communication. I sent numerous emails, many of which went unanswered (still unanswered), meaning I often had no option but to telephone the dealership myself. On one occasion, after giving my name over the phone, I could hear members of staff discussing me in the background before returning to the call. As a customer, that left me feeling extremely uncomfortable and embarrassed.

As a first-time car buyer and someone who is neurodivergent, I explained from the beginning that I sometimes need clear explanations and written communication. Unfortunately, I often felt rushed rather than supported.

The most upsetting part of my experience involved dealing with Vai. During one conversation, I was left in tears after what I felt was an unnecessarily confrontational and dismissive interaction. What has stayed with me the most is that, during our conversation, he told me that he would not deal with my issues and could simply leave my MINI at the back of the garage and deal with it when he wanted because he did not like something I had said. That comment left me feeling powerless and extremely distressed. From that point onwards, I refused to deal with him again.

Sadly, I also felt that the same lack of respect extended to members of my family. My mother and uncle, who were simply trying to help me as a first-time buyer, were spoken to in a manner that I personally found dismissive and disrespectful. They did not deserve to be treated that way.

In complete contrast, Charlie was exceptional.

Charlie consistently treated me with kindness, patience and professionalism. He listened, explained everything clearly, kept me informed and genuinely made me feel like a valued customer. He is an absolute credit to Balham Cars Ltd, and I sincerely wish him all the very best in his career because he truly understands what excellent customer service looks like.

Although I am happy with my Citroën C3, I have had to return with a couple of issues during my three-month dealership warranty. I completely understand that used cars are machines and that faults can occur. My disappointment is not that the car needed attention, but how I was made to feel for bringing it back.

Each time I returned, I increasingly felt as though my visits were being treated as an inconvenience rather than as a customer exercising my rights under the warranty provided by the dealership. During my most recent visit, I was told that the garage were becoming frustrated with me and that I should not come back. Hearing that while I am still within my warranty period made me feel unwelcome and reluctant to return should I need further assistance. No customer should be made to feel that they are a burden for asking a dealership to honour the warranty that was provided with their purchase.

Overall, my advice is simple.

If you choose to buy a car from Balham Cars Ltd, I strongly recommend asking to deal with Charlie from beginning to end. In my experience, he was professional, patient, knowledgeable and genuinely cared about providing good customer service.

Unfortunately, based on my own experience, I cannot say the same about the overall customer journey. Whilst I am grateful that the dealership ultimately provided me with a replacement vehicle that I genuinely enjoy, I would not describe the process as smooth, supportive or customer-focused. It is an experience that I hope no first-time buyer has to go through.

Sold me a car with various issues in January. I reported these issues within 10 days and they’re still not fixed 7 months later despite AA mediation. Avoid at all costs.

I purchased a 2014 Audi A3 from this dealer in October. Individually, many of the issues I’ve experienced could be considered normal wear-and-tear on a used vehicle, and I understand that used cars will occasionally require maintenance. However, the sheer number of problems that have arisen in a relatively short period has left me feeling that the vehicle was not maintained or prepared to the standard I expected from a dealer sale.

Since purchase, I have encountered the following issues:

* Small chip in the windscreen, noticed on arrival home.
* Worn front and rear wiper blades.
* Rear windscreen washer leaking due to a corroded and blocked nozzle.
* Front windscreen washer jets misaligned.
* Replacement of all four tyres.
* Battery replacement.
* Electric window regulator failure.
* Radiator found not to be properly secured, resulting in damage to an air-conditioning hose.
* An intermittent CAN bus communication fault causing multiple warning lights and loss of power, which is still being investigated.

Some of these items were visible on the forecourt and some developed afterwards, but taken together they suggest a car that had not been particularly well maintained prior to sale.

I was also disappointed with the handover experience. The car was supplied with virtually no fuel, no washer fluid, and the tyre pressures had not been checked. These may seem like small details, but they are basic courtesies and contribute to a customer’s impression of the care taken in preparing a vehicle.

My concern is not any single fault, but the cumulative effect of so many issues arising within months of purchase. Based on my experience, I would encourage prospective buyers to carry out a very thorough inspection and budget for remedial work that may not be immediately apparent.

I booked my Lexus in for an 8am inspection of the underside of the car after bottoming it on a very high speed bump. Immediately I arrived it was ramped and inspected to show no damage done. When I offered payment it was gracefully refused as it had only taken a few minutes to inspect. Very rare kindness and exceptional service. I will use Balham Motors whenever I need servicing in future or even if I want to buy another car.

★☆☆☆☆
Avoid – No Accountability After Sale (Parchmore Road Garage) Balham autos

I purchased a reconditioned engine for my red Chevrolet Orlando (LO12 BDE) from this garage on Parchmore Road, following assurances that it came with a guarantee.

Since the purchase, I’ve had to pay out of pocket for both a new battery and starter motor—costs I should not have been hit with so soon after supposedly receiving a reconditioned engine.

I contacted the seller (Irfan) via WhatsApp on 18 August and followed up with a formal written request for clarity on the guarantee, whether these faults were covered, and how they proposed to resolve things. They did not even bother to reply.

The lack of basic courtesy, customer service, and accountability is unacceptable—especially when you’re dealing with vulnerable consumers who rely on their vehicles. If a business can’t be bothered to honour or even explain its guarantees, what does that say?

There are plenty of garages out there—choose one that actually stands behind what it sells. and make sure it is RAC approved. too many cowboys in this field

I recently bought a Toyota avensis from them they kindly delivered it to Nottingham. Apart from the ac not blowing cold that cost me69 quid to fix the car was immaculate. Fantastic. I am on palliative care. I use to work on the production line at burnaston Derbyshire making the cars, well thanks to balham i now drive and own one. This probably will be the last car i have. Its made my year not month. When it was first delivered to me i codnt walk past it and look at it. Well. I have one now. Thanks balham it means everything to me.now i have the car.. Only 4 stars because of ac but I would buy from them again

I left a negative review because I was angry & upset due to a car that was purchased has had several problems & as yet no resolution, however I have now been in touch with Balham's Danny who has assured me that this issue will be resolved, he has kindly arranged for car to be collected & issues addressed I could not ask anymore I will update this review as soon as this has been resolved

Worst place to buy a car car was sold with warranty multiple issues . Multiple breakdowns staff of rude and unhelpful . Stay clear of this Garage . Typical backstreet Garage

Do not use this garage i brought a bmw one series at the end of august 2 weeks out of my warranty the engine blew up. They then charged me to fix it since then ive had nothing but problems ive now had thr car 7 months and its been back in the garage 4 times at my expense i have paid out nearly 1000 on a new engine cabs and hire cars . I am a nurse who needs my car for work. This company are cow boys ive seen alot of otyer reviews stating the exact same problem now the turbo has gone since they have changed the engine. I will be presuing legal action against this firm and strongly advise you avoid at all costs!!