Anonymous

Mixed experience, disappointed

I purchased a BMW 3 Series from Marling but it hadn’t been properly prepared by the seller, it had no fuel when I collected it and so I couldn’t test drive but we had negotiated a price based on the Autotrader advert and it had full BMW history. Upon inspecting the car I enquired about the front brake pads (advisory item on MOT) and I was told these had been done, I enquired as to whether the newly fitted tyres were run flats and I was told they were. By the next day I found the steering was off and it was dangerous to drive (steering at speed was not controlled) and there were several noises coming from the steering column, this was diagnosed by BMW as a faulty steering rod which was replaced. Further diagnosis showed the motor was also faulty, and so a new steering rack was required. The seller paid for the repairs and was really good about dealing with the issue/cost, I did however have to deal with the warranty company and had to take it to an independent garage for the steering rack, it was a month of constant back and forth to garages and being without a car. About 1,000 miles into ownership the front brake warning came on and the pads and discs needed changing (£400), despite asking Marling when buying the car and being told these had been done. Also I unfortunately suffered a flat tyre 2 months later and found Marling had fitted incorrect tyres and they were not run flats at all and so I had no recovery. The tyres have had to be replaced with the ones suitable for the car (£540 run flats) All in all a mixed experience from Marling, feels like it was just “a flip” to them and no pride was taken in preparing the vehicle (not inspected, no fuel, alloys corroded, rear badge vandalised, incorrect tyres fitted and MOT advisory items not addressed).