Harwoods Jaguar, Chichester

My F type Jag was purchased from a different dealer (caffyns Lotus) but it had a Jaguar smart repair from Harwoods Chichester. The paint repair failed due to incorrect workmanship within 7 months. Harwoods paint specialist told me it was bird droppings that caused the failure and outside influences insinuating it was my fault! I sent them a report from one of the country’s top rated car paint specialists stating the failure of the paint to adhere to the surface was from incorrect application and poor priming. Harwoods head of customer services then came back with the contract for the work done was the previous owner so they were not willing to do anything. Whilst I accept that I did not have a contract with them If that had been me I would have wanted to see the fault and understand why it occurred. It could be as simple as a faulty batch of primer so no fault of the workshop. They just did not care and just wanted to deny ant responsibility. It appears from a large amount of reviews they sell cars with inferior warranty leaving the customer to battle away on their own whilst they rub their hands together and bank the cash slamming the door behind you as you leave. I was shocked at the attitude from senior management of a supposed top dealership. Clearly a large dealership network with a small local garage mentality. They are like warranty companies. Shirkers and wrigglers of any responsibility. Shame on them for not having any shred of decency.

I first used Harwoods in Chichester in 2006 when I had an S Type Jag and could not fault their attention and efforts when having services carried out. I was absent from the Jaguar brand until January 2016 when I revisited to purchase a new XE. Once in the showroom the Service Manager recognised me (8yrs later) remembered my name, make of car and even Reg No. of my old S Type. Also a salesman who was previously on the service desk remembered similarly. Took XE for 1st service Jan 2017, loan car provided, service carried out, looked at a couple of points of concern, which were rectified, carried out outstanding software updates plus replacing rear boot rubber seal which was an outstanding action point and 4 other items listed for attention. Came away with a clean car inside/out, 2 bottles of water a a tin of mints all complimentary, plus the fact I was treated as a valued customer and not just a 'punter'.

I recently took my car in to get it fixed so i booked it in but they suggested to drop it off a few days early because there was a possiblity that they may get an early chance to have a look. so i dropped the car at Harwoods 4 days early they phoned back 1+1/2 hours later to tell me they found the problem and to tell me how much it would cost to fix they then fixed it and was ready to pick up and when i picked the car up they cleaned the inside and outside. All done on a day that it was not due to have the work and to top it off the cost was very competitive if not slightly cheaper than the local independant.