Steve B

Potluck Used Cars

Buying a used car from Rowes Honda is a bit like 'Russian Roulette.' You never know what you're gonna get. And they don't care two hoots. Better off buying from a private seller. Save yourself some money. Very disappointed with the level of customer service at Rowes Honda Truro. Bought a used car from their 'Cars too good to trade'. I trusted them to have corrected any problems before selling me a car. Even a £4,000 used car. But my trust was misplaced. According to their service manager I was lucky to get an oil change before I bought it. "Some used cars we sell don't even get that." He admitted. I bought the car wondering why the clutch biting point was low. After mentioning it they admitted it was a problem and tried to fix it with a clutch fluid change. (I now know that only works if there is air in the system, not for low biting point). I discover from an independent mechanic that a low biting point is caused by clutch cover plate wearing out. Rowes Honda now admit that's the problem, but want me to pay for it. In the test drive I didn't try the radio so didn't realise the speakers were not functional on one side of the vehicle. Now they want me to pay for new speaker. Air conditioning didn't demist the windows so I took the vehicle back and they couldn't find the fault. I thought I'd check the cabin pollen filter myself and it was totally choked with dust, leaves and dead insects. I fixed the problem myself with a new filter. When they looked at it they said there wasn't a problem! Because of that I checked the engine air filter. It was black and hadn't been changed by Rowes Honda prior to selling me the vehicle. The 12 volt accessory socket was dangling loose, which I hadn't noticed on the test drive. After complaining about it they glued it in the console with epoxy resin rather than fixing it properly with a plastic fixing. So now, if there is ever a fault with the accessory socket I can't replace it. I hear a knocking noise at each rear wheel, plus the tyres are worn badly on the inner edge. Other independent mechanics tell me this is most likely due to the suspension bushes wearing out. Rowes Honda told me there isn't a problem and weren't prepared to do anything about it. Be forewarned!