Testimonials

Don’t take our word for it, here’s what some of our customers had to say:

“I think we’ve used most of the services that Coles offer, from sourcing a new car to our own specification, through bodywork repairs to regular servicing. At every single stage we have felt part of a family and feel that our relationship with the Coles team is as important to them as it is to us. Trust matters to us, and in Alex and his team we trust!” 

Paul & Alison Crowe

“As a family we’ve been using Coles for many years. We have always been very happy with the service we’ve received. We are always met with happy staff both on the phone and in person. We always get an honest and helpful response with any mechanical issues we may have, both big and small. Coles go out of their way to help us keep our vehicles on the road.

So much so that I actually went to them to buy my last car!”

Katherine Lawrie – Jewellery designer/maker

“Having been a customer of Coles since the early days, I have always received excellent service. They are very reliable and highly reactive to unexpected service issues. Highly recommendable.”

Simon Green, Hayward and Green Aviation Ltd

“When we first moved to Sussex 22 years ago, Coles was one of the first places we visited on a tour of ‘people you must know about’ given by a friend.

Since then they have looked after all of our cars and vehicle needs: routine servicing, repairs to engines and bodywork, checking over potential purchases, getting them all through MOT – often far from straightforward.

Coles manage to deliver a rare combination of professional, high-tech diagnostics and kit with a slightly old-fashioned practical approach to engines and vehicles. They are very good at advising what makes sense (we have quite a stable of clapped out vehicles, which they miraculously keep going safely), so we trust them completely, particularly when it really is time to give up on one. 

A couple of times they have gone way beyond the call of duty; once lending me a courtesy van during a week of an epic house move after I had clobbered the exhaust on the largest vehicle I was using fully loaded every day (literally nothing would have been more helpful than that, which took so much stress out of the situation), and more recently re-gassing the air-con on one of our cars at very short notice in the heatwave. Not only fitting me in, but lending me a courtesy car to make it all seamless and as quick as possible. 

Dropping off and picking up is always simple and convenient, and the reminders, appointments and communications are managed in the most friendly and efficient way. 

I could not recommend Coles more highly – my only regret is when we occasionally have to have something fixed as a main-dealer-only recall or replacement, when we can’t use them.”

Christina Maude

“I have used Coles for over 20 years and have always received a first-class service. I have found them to be excellent mechanics who are prepared to spend time and effort tracking down those tricky problems, to keep my car in top condition, without spending a fortune. I have complete trust in them. In addition their customer service is second to none. They make things simple and easy and always have time to answer my questions.

I have bought two cars from them and found the process to be straightforward and, in fact, enjoyable. When my car was stolen they were really supportive and helped me find and buy a replacement vehicle.”

Karen Lang

 “Coles have been an important part of keeping my family on the road literally for over 15 years, from A-Z (Alfa – Z3) with many cars in between. A niggling noise or obvious fault is dealt with quickly & professionally. The mechanics smile, the office welcome you and know about engineering, Alex and his team care which is why they have become friends.”

Jon Lord

“I have been using Coles for many years for all my family cars. I have found them honest reliable and affordable. They have at times gone beyond the normal service model and helped in times of any vehicle crisis and advice on aspects outside their domain. Although they are busy which is a good thing, they will always fit you in. They will also give you immediate attention should you have an urgent car problem.”

Gary Pettifer

“I can highly recommend Coles. In 30 years of motoring this garage gives by far the best all-round service I have ever received. On each visit the reception staff are exceptional; so helpful, knowledgeable and friendly. The work is always carried out within the promised timescale to a very high standard and a fair price. My car often comes back cleaner than it went in! Their courtesy cars are a God send and they have always gone above and beyond to help keep my cars on the road.”

Tiffinny Myatt-Wells, Bankhouse Electric Gates

“Coles have serviced my collection of vehicles for over a decade including sports cars, family 4x4s and the SkyCar (the world’s first road-legal flying car). I have always received a friendly, professional and convenient service from the Coles team and would highly recommend them to others.”

Neil Laughton

“Coles Automotive has always provided us with a consistently high level of friendly and efficient service. Whether we go to them for routine servicing or emergency repairs, nothing is too much trouble. Their helpful approach has made all the difference: from assisting with recovering vehicles, to carrying out repairs and keeping costs and down-time to a minimum, they’ve proved invaluable in keeping our busy teams on the road. I have no hesitation in recommending them.”

Alex Collins, Sussex Wildlife Trust

“It does not seem so long ago that a visit to a commercial garage could prove to be an intimidating prospect; testosterone fuelled mechanics practising their patronising, dismissive attitudes, shadowed by their stock in trade ‘girlie’ calendars in often uninviting, grubby surroundings. This proved to be as unappealing to some males who were less than confident in their ability to identify the difference between a crankshank and cylinder head as it was to many women.
However, from its glorious location to the friendly, personal welcome from the professional, efficient staff, Coles is the antithesis to the above.

As well as having our cars serviced, MoT’d and repaired, we have recently bought, through Coles, replacement vehicles. Their research, advice and guidance has saved us a lot of time, effort and frustration.
Throughout the years of dealing with Coles, we have been more than satisfied with the help, care and expertise we have encountered. There is always and element of trust implicit in the buying, selling and maintenance of vehicles.  In the case of Coles, this is not misplaced.”

Christine Doohan

“We have been using Coles since we bought our business in 1989. They provide excellent service at a very high level, even under enormous time pressures. They manage to keep our fleet on the road and ready to deliver. They have taken the time to understand our business and our needs, providing us with a personal service that the main dealers cannot get near. In addition, they have been crucial in sourcing vehicles of excellent quality and competitive prices for us.
I always recommend Coles Automotive as the first place to go for honest advice and quality work at competitive prices.”

David Barnard, Director, Barnard Bakeries