9:52 am, September 28, 2026
Trade Centre UK says it is ‘committed to meeting its responsibilities to customers’ after it was accused of selling ‘faulty cars’ in a BBC report.
A recent investigation by the broadcaster found that 34 customers from across the UK are currently battling the used car supermarket group.
Buyers in Coventry, Rochdale, Rotherham and Wales told the BBC they had experienced problems including engine, suspension and clutch failures.
Some said they had rejected their cars under the Consumer Rights Act but faced lengthy or complicated processes when trying to get their money back.
The latest report is the second BBC investigation into the practices of Trade Centre UK in the last three months, after a similar article was published in July
Among the customers to raise complaints are Amber and Nathan Cooper, who spent £7,000 of their wedding present money on a Citroen C4, which broke down just a fortnight later.
Experts found the car needed a new engine, clutch and gearbox but a year on, the couple are yet to receive their money back.
‘It’s gutted us mentally, emotionally, physically, financially,’ Amber told the BBC.
‘We’re still in debt, trying to pay off this loan and now can’t save for a house, start a family and move on with our lives,’ she said.
Elsewhere, Gavin Oliver said the car he bought developed faults from the first day and that it took five months to receive a refund.
Meanwhile, Connor and Danielle Johnson-Bray, from Stoke-on-Trent, said their first car from the Wednesbury branch broke down within two days.
They were offered another vehicle, but that also broke down three times in eight months. The couple said they spent £2,200 on repairs, courtesy cars and getting the vehicle back on the road.
After being refused a refund, they took their case to the small claims court against the finance company through which they had bought the car. The finance company agreed to settle.
With the situation continuing to escalate, a number of disgruntled customers have now held protests were held outside several Trade Centre UK branches, including in Wednesbury.
Sandwell Council Trading Standards has also confirmed it is investigating the complaints and has urged customers with concerns to report them through the Citizens Advice Consumer Service.
Trade Centre UK said it takes customer concerns ‘very seriously’ but conceded that problems can sometimes occur.
A spokesman for the company said: ‘On these rare occasions, our teams work with customers to investigate the issue and identify an appropriate resolution, which can include repairs, replacement vehicles or, where appropriate, accepting rejection of a vehicle.
‘We are committed to meeting our responsibilities to our customers and continue to invest in our vehicle preparation, aftersales and customer service operations.
‘We are proud to have been in operation across the UK for over 20 years and to have served hundreds of thousands of customers during that time.’
The scrutiny comes after Trade Centre Group reported a sharp turnaround in its financial performance.