Hidsons Vauxhall, Rainham

I went there the Saturday before last to get a replacement key for my C5, only to be insulted by some small grey hair man with a chip on his shoulder who gave the impression he really didn't even want to be there. Walked off without a good bye to light up a cigarette....Went to a main dealer who were really helpful and they said they have had many many complaints concerning Hidsons in Rainham Kent. Giving them a rating of One only because there is nothing lower

I have been taking my car to this garage for five years now, and have always been treated with courtesy and respect, and most of all honesty. The service/MOT was a five year one. When I phoned to book my car in, the booking adviser told me that it was for eight years! I immediately corrected her, and told her that it was just coming up to five years old. She apologized. The day before my car went into the garage, I had to fill the screen wash bottle, so it was full on arrival at the garage. I foolishly did not mention this to the young guy who dealt with booking in my car, because I have not had to bring minor matters to their attention before, because I thought they were honest, but later, I found out to my disappointment that they are not! I received text at about 2.45pm to tell me my car was ready for collection. My husband drove me, and we arrived at the garage at about 4pm. On entering the showroom, the young man who had booked my car in, looked at my strange, so I had to tell me that I was collecting my car. I went to sit down, as I usually do, But he had not prepared my paperwork, so I was asked to sit in the waiting area for over fifteen minutes until he was ready. During our discussion of the Service and Health check, he showed my cars service record book, which had been filled in by the mechanic, but what was brought to my notice was that my fourth years service record had not been filled in. So I asked him to check why and to rectify this careless fault. He asked a senior colleague his advice. On looking through the service record book, they noticed that my fourth service record had been filled in on the page of my seventh service record. My husband and I were upset by this careless mistake, and now know why Hidsons had written down that I needed an eighth service this year. I did not check my service record book when I had collected my car last year, because I had to go and have a tyre changed, and because I always found Hidsons to be very careful with paperwork. When I came to pay my bill, I noticed that I had been charged £2 for screen wash. I brought this up with the young guy, and he spoke to the senior colleague. The senior colleague told me that their screen wash had anti-freeze in it. So I explained that I had need to fill it up the day before, and it was full to the top when I drove it to the garage. But this guy told me that it settles after filling it. My husband wasn't convinced, so went out to look at my screen wash bottle. There was hardly any screen wash to be seen in the bottom. I went back to the desk and asked to speak to the mechanic, but he wasn't available, so the senior guy, who was trying to convince us that it had been filled up came out. My husband showed him the bottle, and remarked that it was virtually empty, and asked if the mechanic had drained it out, and then filled it up with their screen wash. He asked if we wanted it filled up. We both said yes, as we have paid for it. He told me that I should have mentioned it when I brought the car in. Again, I say, I thought they were honest. Before I left the car, I asked the young guy, that if there were any queries, to please ring me. I have been waiting for the usual telephone survey, but I haven't had it yet. The car is running well, but I will be very reluctant to book it in for another service/MOT.

We bought a VXR from this garage and it developed an Aircon problem. 2 1/2 months later it's still not fixed. This garage is a joke. Please don't take a sporty car here as they don't have a clue on how to fix it.

Ordered on the phone a new remote key for my Seat Altea using the VIN number. Paid the £197.97 in advance for the key and the service charge to code. They failed to code the key and blamed the Car. Which had worked perfectly with the previously lost key but refused to refund me as the key was a special order. The fact that it didn't work didn't matter it seems. They wanted me to pay £100 per hour+VAT to diagnose the Car to find out why they could not code the new key. Kent auto locksmith managed to supply and code a new key for nearly half of Hidsons costs and strangely he didn't find any faults with the Car. Wish I had read the previous reviews on here about these sharks.

I have phoned the garage twice to find out if there are any recalls on my Citroen and twice they have promised to call back and guess what, a big fat nothing. I will not be getting my Grand C4 serviced there. I cannot recommend!

My car was serviced/MOT'd here in late August 2013 where it was stated I needed new break disks and my tyres were slightly worn (but not to worry as I'd get a good 20,000 miles out of them) I experienced an oil leak New Year's Day 2014 I took it to Hidsons as my car was a vauxhall, I'd only just come out of finance with them and always had excellent service at other vauxhall dealerships. Obviously coming out of finance and not having to give them a monthly sum anymore, they'd have to find their money elsewhere! My breather hoses were marked as green in late august but now they were red and wouldn't be safe to drive without replacing them! Apparently (according the the manager) 3 months driving is far too much wear and tear for the delicate hoses, and even if he stayed in bed for 6 months and barely moved he to would wear and tear and eventually die (odd right?!) Also my tyres and performed a New Years miricale and had GAINED tread! But of course this is because they take measurements on different areas of the tyre (but lovely Suzanne had previously stated this was a typo?!) and they would have to be replaced by the end of the month! (Legal limit is 1.6 my lowest level is 2.0) I was advised I couldn't take my car away if these weren't fixed. I stated I didn't want my tyres changed as I wanted a second opinion but they could fix the hoses and oil pressure switch. Amazingly by just having one of these recommended things done I can take my car away! I got my august report and when I queried that they had got the car reg and colour incorrect and hadn't bothered updating the mileage (mileage obviously isn't important as it isn't chargeable) Told to take my arguement elsewhere and "pay up before we let you take the car" Word of warning, although they advertise themselves as vauxhall they're actually only a franchise off them so you can't even get any help from vauxhall head office (who were actually extremely helpful and mortified) Fat man in a cheap suit trying to be a big dealer, but probably just wants to lie in bed for 6 months with your well earned money!

Really helpful staff, very informative - nothing was too much trouble and reasonable prices.