Extremely poor experience with Berry Chiswick MINI – Approved Used purchase
My experience purchasing an Approved Used MINI Countryman from Berry Chiswick MINI was not only disappointing but profoundly stressful for my family and me. It fell far below the standards I would expect from the MINI brand.
On 10 October 2025, I agreed to purchase a MINI Countryman with cash. The sales manager, Neil, requested a £1,000 deposit and confirmed that the remaining balance must be paid by 16 October, the agreed collection date. I was also instructed to arrange car insurance before the collection date, which I did.
On 16 October, when I arrived at the dealership to collect the car, I was kept waiting for over two hours before being told that the vehicle could not be released due to a “minor issue.” I was not informed of this in advance, despite the issue clearly existing before my arrival. I was assured it would be resolved quickly and that I would be able to collect the car the following day.
In reality, the situation dragged on for months. The car was not declared ready for collection until 29 December. Throughout this time, the uncertainty and lack of information placed my family and me under ongoing stress, as we tried to make arrangements without knowing when or even if this ordeal would end. Communication from the dealership was poor and inconsistent, and timelines were repeatedly changed, leaving me unsure when I would receive the vehicle.
Despite having paid the full purchase price, the dealership manager, Georgina Peddle, refused to provide the ownership documents (V5S slip). Because I could not prove ownership, my insurer cancelled my policy and withheld £591. When I raised this issue with Georgina, she refused to reimburse the loss and responded dismissively, suggesting I pursue the matter legally if I wished.
Shortly before I was finally told the car was ready for collection, I received an email demanding an additional £995, allegedly outstanding from the original purchase. I provided bank statements clearly showing that the full amount had been paid. I was then told that the payment had been made via a “different link” and could not be located. This explanation is deeply concerning, as I used only the single payment link provided by the dealership at the time of purchase.
The lack of transparency, poor record-keeping, prolonged delays, and refusal to release documents after full payment resulted in significant financial loss, stress, and inconvenience. After months of conflicting information and unresolved issues, my confidence in both the dealership and the vehicle itself is extremely low. What should have been a straightforward Approved Used purchase turned into a horrible experience and the prospect of legal action.
23 January 2026
Unprompted review