W Livingstone Ltd - Glasgow

Theresa Porter

I would like to share my extremely bad customer experience with W Livingstone Ltd. I first contacted the dealership in March this year requesting a test drive for an Ibiza. When I arrived on the agreed date for the test I was advised they did not have a car. I received no telephone call to alert me to this fact. I decided to overlook this error and went ahead to buy an Ibiza to be told on the day I arrived to take possession of it, it had not arrived. Again no telephone call to alert me to this circumstance. On both occasions I wasted time and petrol money attending at the dealership.

On Saturday just passed (21.9.22) I attended at the dealership for a test drive of my new Ibiza just under six months old as I had detected a burning smell during the week and the car had been labouring slightly. I met with Sandy Cochran, the Service Manager. He lifted the bonnet and said he could detect a burning smell. We both went out on a very short test drive and he advised he could feel an issue with the clutch. I am not sure if he said the clutch was slipping but he definitely said he could detect an issue. He then advised it was due to my driving skills. I disputed this and advised I intended to get a independent report. He confirmed the report would have to carried out by a SEAT dealer. I drove off but returned shortly afterward and spoke to Gary Ross, the Sales Manager who I had dealt with when buying the car. Mr Ross did point out he was in sales and added very little to what had been said by Sandy Cochran except to say the report can be done by an independent garage ie my own garage, contradicting the information Sandy Cochrane gave.

Today Monday 23rd March I have been extremely stressed trying to sort this issue out and my job was disrupted immensely. I rang SEAT customer services who advised an independent report had to be carried out by an SEAT dealer, contrary to what Gary Ross advised. I had to ring round the dealers to try to get a suitable appointment. I eventually got an appointment albeit it meant I would have to take a day off work. I was told the report would cost around £144. I asked the girl I spoke to if this report would determine who was at fault for the faulty clutch (me or a manufacturing) and she confirmed yes this was the case. By chance I had to ring back and the Service Manager answered the phone. I asked him to confirm the report at £144 would determine who was at fault and to my utter shock he said no this was an initial investigation and the gearbox would have to be removed at a cost of £576 to determine fault. I am not sure how much a gearbox would cost but my feeling was it would be in this region. I felt it was pointless trying to pursue an independent report from SEAT and had no support whatsoever from SEAT.

I rang my own very reputable garage who told me to bring the car in after work and they will look at it. We took the car for a test drive and I was shocked to be told there was absolutely nothing wrong with the clutch.

The above facts are true account of the events that took place and I really hope Mr Robin Livingstone does not reply stating otherwise. I have had a very bad customer experience with W Livingstone causing me extreme stress and felt compelled to share this experience.

Cy Chambers

Excellent service from the team, for my car servicing! Its not a local garage for me but as a Seat owner this isn't my closest option but I'm really pleased with my experience.

From my train station pick up and drop off to the friendly welcome, it makes a difference. Thank you.

Alistair Kerr

Excellent service
Very helpful and friendly.
Honest information and options on finance.
Made buying a car an enjoyable experience, looking forward to my next visit...
What will I buy next

niamh macleod

Bought my first car, Kieran helped me and was amazing ! Would highly recommend. Kept me updated without being too pushy. Love my wee ibiza.

Marc Welsh

My Seat Leon was in for a service today and managed to get a courtesy car too. The lady at the service desk did an excellent job explaining everything and helped deal with my query about my clutch. I've had a great experience and will definitely be back.

Craig W

My Seat Leon developed a fault where the glow plug light would flash, the car went into limp home mode and a message was displayed stating to take to a garage. Would clear after re-start.

Booked it in, had to agree up front to an £80 "diagnostic fee" after being told they were not interested in dealing with my warranty company.

Got a call later to tell me they could not find any fault, no stored error codes and no known problems. £80 for nothing.

Fault appeared the very next day, took it back, same story. Claimed there were no fault codes stored and they had spoken to Seat UK who said likewise.

Guy then tried to "only" charge me half the fee this time. Told him no chance and he waived this fee for nothing.

Frustrated I drove my car straight from this place to a local independent garage and watched the mechanic there access the fault code in seconds before my eyes. Faulty oil pressure sensor. £7 part, I changed it myself and it has been fine ever since. This mechanic never charged a penny.

Robin then asked for me to email him and tried to tell me this fault would not produce a flashing glow plug light and insisted there were no codes stored when they saw the car twice. Refused to refund my £80.

I have since checked online and found forums littered with this exact fault, causing this error light.

Typical main dealer like service and rip-off charges. Clueless mechanics with no interest or ability to diagnose faults.

I will never use this mob again and advise others likewise.

The reply from this owner says it all. They still maintain no fault code was stored, which is ridiculous, and not true. I saw my local mechanic find said stored code and explain that it was accessed via a different menu than the normal location. There is no way such an error does not store a fault code, obviously.

Rip-off main dealer who doesn't care.

I have uploaded the picture from my local garage clearly showing fault code P164B00. I literally drove from this "main dealer" to my local garage. No error messages were displayed from one garage to the other. This fault code was already stored.

Kristelle Barnes

This was my first purchase through W Livingstone having been recommended them by my brother. Excellent customer service and communication throughout the whole process. I dealt with Owen, who was polite, chatty and very patient taking me through all the paperwork and features of the car on collection day. All aspects of the sale were followed up on promptly and Owen checked in to make sure everything had been completed satisfactorily and that I was happy with my new car - Highly recommend!

Chloe Morrison

Fantastic service provided to myself and husband from Owen at W Livingstone. He made the whole process so simple for us. Made sure the car was suited to our needs. When the car was ready for collection he showed us how to work the technical side and was just a pleasure to deal with.
Definitely recommend and will use again in the future.