Carbase Reviews 

6,234
TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

4.3

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Considering 1,231 reviews, reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company. Customers frequently praise the staff for being extremely helpful, polite, and professional, making the entire vehicle purchasing process completely smooth, easy, and stress-free. Visitors truly appreciate the welcoming environment and the detailed, patient explanations provided by representatives during the initial test drives and vehicle selections. However, some customers also noted frustrating difficulties with aftercare support, mentioning excessively long waiting times on the phone and heavily delayed responses regarding post-purchase vehicle problems. A few people also experienced unexpected mechanical issues shortly after driving away from the dealership, such as slow tyre punctures or unresolved dashboard warning lights.

What people talk about most

Staff

Customers consistently note positive experiences with staff, highlighting that team members are extremely... See more

Service

People report ambiguous experiences with service, as consumer feedback is heavily divided. On one hand,... See more

Product

Users describe ambiguous interactions with product, reflecting mixed views on vehicle quality and... See more

Customer service

Reviewers mention ambiguous feedback about customer service, highlighting stark contrasts between initial... See more

User experience

Clients share positive opinions on user experience, describing the process from initial phone inquiries to... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Will at Carbase Lympsham was really helpful. He met us immediately as we arrived and got us straight into a car. He was very helpful and even allowed us to listen to another similar car engine running... See more

Company replied

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Heith was extremely helpful and kept me fully informed about what and who I needed to do when collecting my car. Heith and the young lady (sorry forgotten her name) who dealt with the Road Tax etc we... See more

Company replied

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

I'd definitely recommend Carbase Bristol because it has loads of choice and the setup feels very professional. My only issue was the receptionist made me feel a bit like a time waster and didn't provi... See more

Company replied

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Easy no pressure car sales with good and clear advice on financing and warranties for your car / paint / wheels and tyres. Overall good experience. On my test drive the check tyre pressure indi... See more

Company replied


Company details

  1. Car Dealer

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

4.3

Excellent

TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

6K reviews

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4.3

All reviews

(6,234)

1,193 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Friendly but disappointing.

The team has been friendly and made the documentation easy and accessible, however they sold me a car that had a flat tyre and instead of replacing it they only inflated it and claimed it was normal for a tyre to go flat if sat in the car park for weeks. It was disappointing and I felt dismissed by the short term fix they offered on an expensive vehicle.

20 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for recognising the friendly approach of the team and the straightforward documentation process. We’re sorry, however, that the way your concern about the tyre was handled left you feeling disappointed and dismissed. We would like to consider the circumstances and the checks carried out on the vehicle so that we can better understand the position. 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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Carbase Lympsham were really helpful…

Carbase Lympsham were really helpful and I'd recommend them because they took the time to listen to my current situation and find a car suited to my needs.

22 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for your kind feedback. We’re pleased to hear that the team at Lympsham took the time to understand your circumstances and help you find a car suited to your needs. We really appreciate your recommendation and are glad the experience was a positive one.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I recommend.

The experience at Carbase Lympsham was fantastic because it was an easy process which was explained at every stage .

21 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for your fantastic feedback. We’re pleased to hear that everything was straightforward and that the process was clearly explained from start to finish. It’s great to know you enjoyed your experience at Carbase Lympsham.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent sales team who dotted all the…

Excellent sales team who dotted all the I's and crossed all the T's

22 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for the great feedback. It’s brilliant to hear that the sales team took care of everything and made the process straightforward. We really appreciate you choosing Carbase and sharing your experience.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Very happy with the service from start…

Very happy with the service from start to finish. Kind staff , very helpful, very knowledgeable people.
Would highly recommend Carbase /Vanbase.

22 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for your kind review. We’re pleased to hear that you were happy with the service from start to finish and found the team helpful and knowledgeable. We really appreciate your recommendation.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Very professional from all staff and

Very professional from all staff and
Very happy with the service 😀😀

22 August 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Carbase

Thank you for your positive feedback. We’re pleased to hear that you found the team professional and were happy with the service you received. It’s great to know you had such a positive experience with us.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Amazing service

Amazing service! Thanks Matt :)

24 August 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Carbase

Thank you for the lovely feedback! It’s great to hear you received amazing service, and we’ll be sure to pass your thanks on to Matt. We really appreciate you choosing Carbase and taking the time to leave a review.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Highly recommend!

Highly recommend!

24 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for the recommendation! We really appreciate you taking the time to share your positive feedback, and we’re delighted to know you had a great experience with Carbase.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Misleading trade in quotes and poor vehicle condition

Drove four hours to Carbase Bristol today to collect a reserved Polestar 2, but the overall experience was deeply disappointing.
Before making the journey, I secured a trade in valuation over the phone and was told the figure could increase if the car presented well. My vehicle is in great condition, yet on arrival I was offered significantly less than promised. It turns out their top rate requires a single owner, full main dealer history, and zero blemishes – an almost unachievable benchmark IMO. Having explicitly warned them about my long drive during our initial chat, it feels like an inflated valuation was used purely to get me through the door.
The Polestar 2 itself fell short of expectations:
One of the charging cables was missing (though they did offer to rectify this).
Hot chocolate was spilt on the back seat, despite the vehicle having supposedly just received a full professional valet.
Three out of four alloys suffered clear kerb damage.
When I questioned the damaged wheels, the staff member dismissively suggested I should have looked closer at the online photos and claimed the car was "priced to sell."
The term car supermarket fits this business well. Customer care is lacking and preparation standards are average at best. Adjust your expectations accordingly if you plan to visit.

24 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We appreciate you travelling to visit us and are sorry to hear that your overall experience did not meet your expectations. We will review the points raised with the relevant team to better understand your experience. 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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

A well organised professional set up…

A well organised professional set up which ticked all of the boxes. Nice people who knew their job.

21 August 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Carbase

Thank you for your great feedback. We’re pleased to hear that you found the whole experience well organised and professional, and that the team made such a positive impression with their knowledge and approach. Your kind comments are greatly appreciated and will be shared with the team.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

A great and friendly service

Helpful knowledgeable staff.
Van was fully prepared.
Finance and handover was very a smooth process.
Delighted with the the van I bought.

19 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re delighted to hear that you found the team helpful and knowledgeable, and that the preparation of your van, finance arrangements and handover all went smoothly. It’s especially pleasing to know you’re delighted with your purchase, and we really appreciate you choosing Carbase.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Matt the salesman was perfect in every…

Matt the salesman was perfect in every way so was the other staff we dealt with drove away in the car within 4hrs highly recommend this company

23 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for the fantastic feedback. We’re delighted to hear that Matt and the wider team made the experience so straightforward and that you were able to drive away in your new car the same day. We really appreciate your recommendation and will pass your kind comments on to the team.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The stress free whilst looking and not…

The stress free whilst looking and not being bothered at all

21 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for sharing your feedback. It’s great to hear that you were able to look around at your own pace and found the experience relaxed and stress-free. We’re pleased that the approach from the team suited you.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Really great service from

Really great service from
Start to finish.

Didn’t feel any pressure very relaxed afternoon.

23 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for sharing your experience. We’re pleased to hear that you received great service throughout and felt relaxed and comfortable without any pressure. It’s wonderful to know you enjoyed your afternoon with us.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

We dealt with John and he explained…

We dealt with John and he explained everything and was very helpful and made our experience stress free

23 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback. We’re pleased to hear that John explained everything clearly and helped make the experience feel straightforward and stress-free. We’ll be sure to pass your kind comments on to him.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

John was very helpful and friendly

John was very helpful and friendly

23 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for your feedback. It’s lovely to hear that John was helpful and friendly throughout your experience. We’ll be sure to pass your kind comments on to him.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely brilliant

Absolutely brilliant! I swapped my car from a little Peugeot to a Vauxhall and with the amazing help from Will the Steve at Lympsham, I was managed to get it all sorted with no problems. Test drove it, took my old car away. Brilliant customer service, kind, nice, friendly, just brilliant! Want to thank them a lot for this!

23 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for such a lovely review. It’s great to hear that Will made the process of changing your car so straightforward and that you found them both friendly and helpful throughout. We really appreciate your kind words and will be sure to pass your thanks on to him.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

what part of no don't you understand…

what part of no don't you understand nothing but push for finance join the car club it's ONLY £480 no !! I wanted to turn up look at the car test drive and trade in NO CHANCE it's so simple the car we eventually looked at was absolutely filthy scratched quite badly drivers seat was wet footwell was wet where they'd tried to clean dog hairs in the boot the inner wheel arches looked like it had been driven down a muddy lane they have a no haggle policy rude sales man and another member of staff with sarcastic comments very disappointed ☹️☹️☹️

22 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

We’re sorry to hear that your visit left you feeling so disappointed. We will review the points you have raised regarding the sales process, the presentation of the vehicle and your interactions with the team, as these are important aspects of the customer experience. We appreciate you taking the time to provide detailed feedback, and we will consider it carefully with the relevant team. 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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great Customer Service from Matt

Matt was friendly, approachable and really helpful with sorting out communication issues with the garage

22 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for your feedback. It’s great to hear that Matt was friendly and approachable, and that he was able to help with the communication around your experience with the garage. We’ll make sure your comments are passed on to him.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Heith was extremely helpful

Heith was extremely helpful and kept me fully informed about what and who I needed to do when collecting my car. Heith and the young lady (sorry forgotten her name) who dealt with the Road Tax etc were able to turn around a quite unpleasant initial visit into a decent customer experience. Well done to them both

20 August 2026
Unprompted review
Carbase logo

Reply from Carbase

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. It’s good to hear that Heith kept you informed throughout the collection process and that he and his colleague were able to help make your overall experience a more positive one. We’ll be sure to pass your kind comments on to them both.

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