Has anyone any feedback about this dealership, good or bad? I have been dealing with them for a few years now and find them quite frustrating at times.
Can anyone recommend a dealership in the local area that would be better?

Depends exactly where you are, there are only 4 in west yorks.
Huddersfield used to be part of JCT600 but are now Sandal. I always used to find them pretty good on the service side but not had anything done there in a few years.
Sandal Wakefield looked after me very well when I had a puncture a few weeks ago and desperatly needed a tyre with no notice whatsoever.
The other is Scotthall Leeds but I've no experience of them. I'll be using one of the Sandal dealers for my servicing.
In what way are JCT600 frustrating?

I find their customer service skills are terrible, not returning phone calls etc....also I had a lot of niggling problems with my last MINI so it was in and out of the workshop a fair bit, but sometimes they would just 'forget' to do certain jobs. I did take it to Scotthal once, but had problems there too, sO i was wondering what Sandal were like (didnt know they werent JCT any more), or maybe the Harrogate dealership.

Interesting response to JCT, I felt the same about their sales side, think I will avoid for service!

If it's service I think Harrogate should be A-OK, their sales section was appalling when I visited about 12 months ago but their service department was good, at least from what I saw.
Scotthall are a bit clueless really, I refuse to take my MINI there, Im completely put off by sales who are a bunch of utter k**bs.
To be honest, I would recommend Castle in York (they are part of inchape retail who own the "cooper" garages and Elvet in Durham, all of which are excellent.) I bought my car in York and the attention to detail was great. They put the rattle right before delivery as promised and the iPod and chrome filler were fitted without problems and they did a great job.

Brian.

Its odd that Lister Park are so bad. When Sandal Huddersfield was part of
JCT600 they were good, you hear a lot of good stuff about their other garages and they have some real top end brands so you'd expect good service but I've only ever heard negative comments about Lister Park.

I bought from Woodmans in Blackpool and the common opinion on here is that they are the best in the north but its quite a way for warranty work.

I would avoid the Huddersfield bunch, heard too many bad tales about them.

Is your MINI still under warranty? If not then I can reccomend an independant MINI/BMW specialist garage who I use :)

Hi dont go to scotthall iv had 4 minis from them. and wont be going there next time.

Thanks guys....
yes it is still under warranty otherwise I would be very interested in an independent.
I was considering scotthall, meadbar...what problems have you had with them?

Lister Park are one of the worst dealerships I've ever had the misfortune to buy a car from, would never use them again.

http://www.mini2.com/forum/dealership-feedback/82682-lister-park-story-happened.html

Well worth the drive over to see Alison at Woodmans;)

Ali's a hottie too, well worth a visit ;):Dlol

Rakey..that was a very interesting read, thanks. It doesnt surprise me at all them being like that. To be honest, I havent found them too bad on the sales side (though still appalling at returning calls), its the service side ive had most problems with. The trouble is theyre so convenient...halfway between where I live and where I work, which is quite important to me. I had hoped to hear some really positive views about the other 'local' dealers, but it seems none of them are much good....:(

Prestons in Colne used to good, and I used them for servicing when I lived up there

Wow I have had the worse ever experience in my life with these guys.

I know some of this has prob been mentioned before on the forum but I just had to write a letter and here goes (this is what was sent today):


I am writing to inform you of my recent experience and service I have had with the JCT 600 Mini Dealership on Sticker Lane in Bradford.

On the 19th of April 2009 I came to the dealership to have a look at the new models as I was thinking about upgrading my mini and wanted to test drive a few I saw in the showroom. We were in the showroom for over 20 minutes sat at the waiting desk before anybody came and spoke to us. To be fair this was an apology and he explained they area few men short and they would be with us shortly and we could help ourselves to drinks. Over an hour passed and still no sign of been served, except the odd apology as the guys passed. I could understand this and the service I was given was great – I simply thought at this point I would come back at another time when they were less busy.

However, this has now changed after a few faults that have come to light in the following days and the service I was given.

When I returned from the mini garage and got out of my car I heard a loud high pitch noise coming from the bonnet. I went back to the mini garage and after another wait I was told service is not open until Monday and I would have to call in the morning and I would be given a courtesy car whilst they had my Mini the garage. I got back into the car and I noticed the air bag light did not go off as usual and stayed on for the entire journey home.
The next day I called Mini and arranged to take it in, however when I went out to my car, the car would not start, the noise had drained my battery. I finally managed to get it to the garage later that day, only to be told I would not receive a courtesy car. The staff were rude and seemed like they could not be bothered. Which meant I could not get to work and do my daily work related activities, which resulted in loss of earnings.

When I returned home a friend called me and explained he had a similar problem and told me to look on the Internet at the great mini2 forum and told me about a Watchdog programme he saw in February. The website had many articles and topics on the problems I seemed to be experiencing. To my surprise I read about the recall on the wiring loom for the passenger side airbag in the US along with recent news regarding the steering wheel which even included links to the BBC watchdog website I was told about.
Later that day I received a phone call from MINI JCT 600 saying I would be charged nearly £900 for the repairs where they stated it was for the wiring loom and a power steering fault. They were not willing to listen to any of the information I read or answer any questions I had. At one point they even said 'do you want us to fix it or are you coming to get the car?'. How safe is it to drive the car without steering? Very safe?

It was not until I got advice from a personal contact at another BMW garage (Stratstone BMW Harrogate) I actually got them to listen. After a lot of what I felt as been ‘fobbed off’ I finally had to call MINI UK myself and get them to contact the garage. Even after I had done this they would not contact MINI UK. After a lot of arguing they finally contacted MINI UK but I was told I would not receive anything so they "don’t know why they are bothering". The next day they called and said they would offer 50% towards the part. I am still not happy with this as many of the people I know were given the full 100% as well as the labour costs. However, I could not afford to argue my case as each day I was losing money by not being able to work.
I am writing today to simply ask you a few questions.

1. Why did the wiring loom get recalled in the US and not in the UK? Also with this been a common problem why are you charging for this as it is a safety hazard in the motor vehicle?

2. If so many steering faults are occurring why is this not recalled? I was told on the telephone my Mini was one produced with this fault so why should I be charged for a fault in the design with the car? Also why are some receiving a full cost whilst others are not? Surly the problem is the same and therefore each customer should be given the same.

3. However, the biggest question I have now is why should I even consider buying a new Mini when I am being charged for common faults with the design and the service I have been shown by mini since I began to have problems has been horrendous. It seemed like the only time I did get acceptable service was when I was looking to buy a new car, but even then I was messed around. What is after-sales going to be like if you treat potential new customers like that?

Could I please ask you to look into these matters and I look forward to receiving your reply. Otherwise, we may have to look elsewhere when upgrading my car.


I will keep you guys posted.

Sorry to hear of your experiences, StuartA. Its no more or less than I'd expect from JCT's
Recently the rear suspension on my MINI One started getting noisy, so , against my better judgement I took it to JCT and they said the rear anti-roll bar bushes needed replacement (under warranty). I booked it in, merely because they are so convenient for where I live and work, and I thought with such a straightforward job what could go wrong.
Well, the day they were supposed to pick it up from my work they didnt do, because the service manager had made an error when making the booking. After some messing about they said theyd take it in the following day, which they did, and they duly did the job. When I went to pick up the car I noticed straightaway that there was paint chipped off the drivers door, as if it had been opened into a wall. I know it wasnt there before, and I think that their driver had done this when they picked up the car. They said they would look into it, but I've never heard anything more. Its only a small amount of damage, but thats not the point. It is just a reflection of how little they care about their customers.
The service manager there, in particular, just doesnt seem to know what he's doing, and can be quite rude to you at times.
:angry:

Hi,
My wifes Mini Cooper,2004 came from Lister Park and my Golf,2007 from JCT Bradford.Yes, I have quite a few moments with this franchise and the main problem is we are all small fish in their eyes.The good news is you can take your buisness else where .I have just had the coolant and brake fluid changed for £67 at my local garage (Claytons,Stanningley,nr Pudsey).Great friendly service and recommended.

I can only add my tale of woes about Lister Park in Bradford.
My experience has been of being totally and repeatedly misinformed about my coverage under the TLC package. Not offered the TLC XL extension when I should have been.
The Service Manager admitted that he was not aware that the TLC XL was an option for my car and then quoted the wrong (higher) price for it. Basic lack of knowledge and total lack of attention to detail - didn't stamp service book, couldn't type correct date and registration in a letter even - dread to think what the quality of my poor Mini's servicing has been like!
The attitude seemed arrogant - very reluctant to offer me an appropriate goodwill discount. 2 days to respond to my email and only then after 3 chase up phone calls to the dealer and one to MINI customer services!
It's a shame that although MINI collect dealership data they won't disclose it - a published league table would surely improve service levels.
I'm going to try Stratstone in Harrogate....I'll let you know
Judi

Lister Park / JCT should be ashamed. Their service is truly terrible. I know people who've been refused a test drive despite meeting age requirements etc, and they've been all but friendly to me. Mini in Harrogate used to be excellent, the service receptionist has changed, but if you ask for David he's alright and will sort you out;) Rachel at Colne is pretty good too - give either of them a try;) I'd avoid bradford like the plague - right bunch of t*@ts

The Service Manager (Roger) is the main problem with that dealership. Most of my complaints centre around his incompetency and on various occasions his staff have had to apologise to me because of his mistakes. When I first went there he was a service advisor...god knows how he got the promotion, but if they had any sense they'd replace him with someone who knows what they are doing.
I recently had one of the sales team calling me asking if I was going to be replacing my MINI. I just told him to go through to the service department, shake Roger's hand, and thank him for losing them a nice slice of commission.
They just don't seem to care.