Auto100 - UK Trader in Sutton in Ashfield

[Orchardbike]

Escalations refused to get involved because I’d bought it through an independent. Lotus CC have the Lotus garage in Colchester sorting it, but it’s been there two months and they won’t give me any idea when it’ll be finished

 

[mikeee]

I recently bought a Hethel Yellow V6 Emira from Auto100 after reading about many people’s experiences and thought I would share mine.

Overall very positive.

I’ve only had the car one week and driven approx 200 miles in it.

The car had 500 miles on it and is absolutely mint inside and outside apart from one small paint blister on the door which should be covered by Lotus warranty.

I was concerned about the stories about only having one key, no test drive allowed etc.

I’m not sure where the “no test drives” thing comes from - although they didn’t offer one on first visit, on taking refundable deposit I was assured a full inspection and test drive on collection and this was indeed the case - this was conducted by a very pleasant salesman who put no pressure whatsoever and was happy to allow as much time as I needed.

When fully happy with the car, we finished the transaction.

The car did have both keys (I know some were sold with only one) and so far I’m delighted with this epic car! Early days though obviously, hoping it will be free of some of the other widely reported faults and niggles.

Only small issue was no V5 for some reason - assured this is being chased with the DVLA and should arrive shortly (next week).

I realise not everyone had a great experience there but just wanted to share mine in case anyone else was considering Auto100 as they do have a good selection of various Emiras.

 

[Beachbum]

Sounds like your experience was a lot better than mine. Whilst I have only very minor issues with the car, the service from Auto100 was pretty poor. Mine only came with the 1 key, although they did pay for me to source the 2nd key from a Lotus Dealer. Unfortunately I didnt price in the cost of the key blade, which I should have done, as its as much again as the actual electric fob.
V5 was delayed too. Its allegedly as a result of GDPR and the seller/previous owner not wanting to be known. I've since found out this is complete BS, but didnt know it at the time, to push it further. In the end V5 turned up about 3-4 weeks after I got the car.

 

[Orchardbike]

Of course absolutely not the experience I had with Auto100 who were a disaster and unpleasant to deal with from the start. I’ve documented the issues with my car earlier, so won’t repeat again, but I hope you’re lucky with yours. If you do have issues then don’t expect Auto100 to help you, they’ll deny all responsibility on the grounds that the car has a Lotus warranty. As per beachbum, I only got one key and was lied to as to the cost of replacement. As for my V5, that took more than 2 months to turn up, despite chasing constantly. Auto100 blamed the DVLA for the delay

 

[Emira-i4-uk]

You might get lucky with Auto 100... I got mine from them its flawless like new..

Did not get the 2nd key they lied about that only told me on the day I went to drive her home no 2nd key in the vehicle file pouch. But told me verbally it had a 2nd key....

V5C did not get that either took me almost 2 months to get had to apply myself Auto 100 were not interested & of no use whatsoever. You have to print the DVLA V5C replacement form out fill it in send a cheque for £25 you cannot do any of it online takes 4-6 weeks as DVLA have a massive backlog took me almost 10 weeks from buying the Emira to having the V5C!

If you do not get one would not wait it takes up to 2 months with the form just print it out apply that way by post its a very old fashioned manual process...you can only apply online if Auto 100 gave out the V5C counterpart (which they do not do....!).

Auto 100 seem to be Lotus Cars UK dumping ground for Emira which were either ex Lotus Employees, ex Lotus Driving Academy (few I have seen on YT same number plates in media around their driving academy school) or rejected customer cars or rejected pre-orders when the prices skyrocketed.

That's not to say you might not still get a good Emira you very well might...but there are several examples of people getting a car with massive problems...

Buyer beware & do not expect Auto 100 to do anything for you aftersales wise they are not interested its all on you going to Lotus Cars & finding a main dealer willing to do the warranty work (if any is required).

 

[Orchardbike]

You might get lucky with Auto 100... I got mine from them its flawless like new..

Did not get the 2nd key they lied about that only told me on the day I went to drive her home no 2nd key in the vehicle file pouch. But told me verbally it had a 2nd key....

V5C did not get that either took me almost 2 months to get had to apply myself Auto 100 were not interested & of no use whatsoever. You have to print the DVLA V5C replacement form out fill it in send a cheque for £25 you cannot do any of it online takes 4-6 weeks as DVLA have a massive backlog took me almost 10 weeks from buying the Emira to having the V5C!

If you do not get one would not wait it takes up to 2 months with the form just print it out apply that way by post its a very old fashioned manual process...you can only apply online if Auto 100 gave out the V5C counterpart (which they do not do....!).

Auto 100 seem to be Lotus Cars UK dumping ground for Emira which were either ex Lotus Employees, ex Lotus Driving Academy (few I have seen on YT same number plates in media around their driving academy school) or rejected customer cars or rejected pre-orders when the prices skyrocketed.

That's not to say you might not still get a good Emira you very well might...but there are several examples of people getting a car with massive problems...

Buyer beware & do not expect Auto 100 to do anything for you aftersales wise they are not interested its all on you going to Lotus Cars & finding a main dealer willing to do the warranty work (if any is required).

Exactly my experience. Would I buy from them again? No, absolutely not. You can get Emira’s at the same price from other dealers who want to actually offer some customer service as part of the deal. The only advantage of Auto100 is the number they’ve got and therefore more choice. But, in my opinion this is far outweighed by their atrocious approach to the customer.

 

[mikeee]

I don’t disagree with any of the above. I’m sorry not everyone has had a good experience.
In terms of Lotus aftercare, I spoke to Central Lotus (Nottingham) a few days ago to chat about the car, they couldn’t have been nicer and more helpful. They let me know there were several outstanding recalls/software updates and immediately booked it in.
Also confirmed I could book the car in for its replacement door (blistering).
I didn’t feel second-rate because I hadn’t bought the car directly from them.

Anyway, my experience so far - I wish all Emira owners the best of luck with their car!

 

[Emira-i4-uk]

Exactly my experience. Would I buy from them again? No, absolutely not. You can get Emira’s at the same price from other dealers who want to actually offer some customer service as part of the deal. The only advantage of Auto100 is the number they’ve got and therefore more choice. But, in my opinion this is far outweighed by their atrocious approach to the customer.

Yep would never buy from them again wish I went to the other Lotus main dealers for brand new but at the time a few months ago none could give me a concrete delivery date on brand new stock for £90K LOL so did not want to give them a load of money then wait up to 2 months for a delivery date as Lotus are unsure where all the stock is in UK even now!

Lotus are also doing an unadvertised 0% finance deal on brand new Emira in the UK right now with no deposit if your credit is strong enough but its main dealer only & you have to walk into one its not being advertised (I suspect its to shift existing new stock before the 400bhp version arrives in the spring in UK!).

Treat me with some respect I do not mind spending my money with you...!

 

[Orchardbike]

I don’t disagree with any of the above. I’m sorry not everyone has had a good experience.
In terms of Lotus aftercare, I spoke to Central Lotus (Nottingham) a few days ago to chat about the car, they couldn’t have been nicer and more helpful. They let me know there were several outstanding recalls/software updates and immediately booked it in.
Also confirmed I could book the car in for its replacement door (blistering).
I didn’t feel second-rate because I hadn’t bought the car directly from them.

Anyway, my experience so far - I wish all Emira owners the best of luck with their car!

For me, it wasn’t about ‘feeling’ second rate, I was literally told by Lotus’s CC that because I didn’t buy the car from them, they couldn’t escalate my issues. Over two months now and still haven’t seen my car.

 

[MiamiBlue]

Why are Lotus not distributing stock to Lotus dealers? It seems very unfair of them to send stock to a third party, and then dismiss customers when they buy one and try to go back to Lotus with issues because you didn't buy from a Lotus dealer!

I've heard mixed reports about Auto100. Cars with 500 miles on and £25-30K off list is hard to ignore. If you get a 'good one' it's one hell of a bargain. But it's hard to know from a look at the car and a short test drive (if you're lucky). You also can't judge by the cars history -because there is none. They have purposely stripped the cars of any history or identification. Zero paperwork, not even a V5. Your only chance is if the numberplate has any history you can find.

 

[Emira-i4-uk]

Why are Lotus not distributing stock to Lotus dealers? It seems very unfair of them to send stock to a third party, and then dismiss customers when they buy one and try to go back to Lotus with issues because you didn't buy from a Lotus dealer!

I've heard mixed reports about Auto100. Cars with 500 miles on and £25-30K off list is hard to ignore. If you get a 'good one' it's one hell of a bargain. But it's hard to know from a look at the car and a short test drive (if you're lucky). You also can't judge by the cars history -because there is none. They have purposely stripped the cars of any history or identification. Zero paperwork, not even a V5. Your only chance is if the numberplate has any history you can find.

Yes its very weird....I mean I have seen YT videos of some of the Emira Auto 100 are selling with press & or the Lotus Driving academy using them so clearly they are ex Lotus Cars Emira. Most are fine some have severe issues though....the 2nd key missing issue is weird as is the no V5C document (which is a massive time consuming procedure to obtain takes almost 2 months!).

In UK Lotus do not appear to have a great relationship with their own dealer network...I wonder if all the Auto 100 stock are SOR as they keep getting replenished monthly it seems new Emira are always turning up.

 

[MiamiBlue]

In UK Lotus do not appear to have a great relationship with their own dealer network...I wonder if all the Auto 100 stock are SOR as they keep getting replenished monthly it seems new Emira are always turning up.

They fell out with bell and colvill, and they were like an ambassador for the brand, one of the highest regarded Lotus specialist in the country. You would think Lotus would have tried more to keep them on side. I don't know the exact reasons for the Lotus/Dealer 'issues' but I suspect selling cars direct from the factory bypassing dealers, and making warranty claims slow and painful for dealers are probably top of the list..

For Auto100 I've noticed they always have around 10 cars listed on Autotrader at any one time. When one sells another pops up in it's place. I don't know if they have a large inventory and only list a selection, or if they have some arrangement with Lotus to keep supplying them. We'll probably never know as they strip the history and paper trails from the cars. If you ask Auto100 (and I have) they tell you they're all ex Lotus management cars. Well they sure have a lot of managers driving around in Emira's!

 

[Emira-i4-uk]

They fell out with bell and colvill, and they were like an ambassador for the brand, one of the highest regarded Lotus specialist in the country. You would think Lotus would have tried more to keep them on side. I don't know the exact reasons for the Lotus/Dealer 'issues' but I suspect selling cars direct from the factory bypassing dealers, and making warranty claims slow and painful for dealers are probably top of the list..

For Auto100 I've noticed they always have around 10 cars listed on Autotrader at any one time. When one sells another pops up in it's place. I don't know if they have a large inventory and only list a selection, or if they have some arrangement with Lotus to keep supplying them. We'll probably never know as they strip the history and paper trails from the cars. If you ask Auto100 (and I have) they tell you they're all ex Lotus management cars. Well they sure have a lot of managers driving around in Emira's!

Auto 100 stock - Some are ex Lotus Driving Academy Emira I have seen the same plates on YT videos as they had for sale! Same colour Emira same interior etc etc same car for sure! They should just be more transparent about the Emira being dumped via Auto 100...many are flawless mine was only 4 months old when I got it like brand new but £30K cheaper!

Around £60K they are a bargain...£89-97K new less of a bargain! Lotus have a new 0% finance deal with no deposit on brand new in UK right now...that's also a bargain but if your looking to keep forever less so as £86-89K and not even First Edition spec anymore!

This one Auto 100 still have for sale!

 

[Orchardbike]

They fell out with bell and colvill, and they were like an ambassador for the brand, one of the highest regarded Lotus specialist in the country. You would think Lotus would have tried more to keep them on side. I don't know the exact reasons for the Lotus/Dealer 'issues' but I suspect selling cars direct from the factory bypassing dealers, and making warranty claims slow and painful for dealers are probably top of the list..

For Auto100 I've noticed they always have around 10 cars listed on Autotrader at any one time. When one sells another pops up in it's place. I don't know if they have a large inventory and only list a selection, or if they have some arrangement with Lotus to keep supplying them. We'll probably never know as they strip the history and paper trails from the cars. If you ask Auto100 (and I have) they tell you they're all ex Lotus management cars. Well they sure have a lot of managers driving around in Emira's!

When I bought mine from Auto100, they didn’t even have it in their possession. They listed it on their website, but when I enquired about it, they said it was still at Lotus and wouldn’t be available for a week. I did have a look round their facility when I was there and I saw about 10. So it seems to me that they are getting regular shipments from Lotus, rather than just buying a batch in bulk.

I was also told by Auto100 that mine was an ex Lotus management car, but when I contacted Lotus CC, they said they had no data on the car and couldn’t tell me anything about it’s 430 mile life.

 

[Beachbum]

I spoke to Lotus when I bought mine from Auto100. All they would confirm was it was an ex-Lotus owned vehicle, nothing more
Auto100 claimed it was an ex-Managers car, but from what I have heard they tell everyone one that, about every Emira they have

 

[Orchardbike]

OK, it’s now been over two months since my car disappeared into Lotus Colchester, so it’s time for an update. So grab your popcorn and strap yourself in……

What’s been removed from the car:
Battery
Tailgate
Rear clamshell
Engine
Clutch
Gearbox
Both seats
Dashboard
Carpets
Front bonnet
Front clamshell
Front fuse box
Front loom
Both doors

What’s been replaced (so far):
Front loom
Front fuse box
Clutch release bearing
Clutch plates
Flywheel

Once the engine work is completed and the installed, all other items will then be refitted to the car and the HVAC shroud and front fuse box seal are to be fitted as/when the car is rebuilt. It will then get a new battery and the software will be updated. Then the failed drivers side mirror motor will be looked at as well. The new doors will still need to be fitted, when they arrive from Lotus and then repainted.

However…..The clutch was rebuilt this week and reattached to the gearbox and the gearbox refitted to the engine. This engine assembly was then refitted into the car and fired up. Apparently there’s now “a different noise coming from the gearbox”……..so now another prior authority (PA) request has gone into Lotus for a brand new gearbox! The engine, clutch and gearbox now need to come back out of the car again!. So I’m now waiting again, for Lotus to approve the PA and then send out a new gearbox, before any further work can take place.

So the 430 mile car, that I had for just 6 days has been with Lotus for over two months and I still don’t know when I’ll get it back, but it’s not going to be anytime soon.

Every bit of loyalty/love/admiration I had for the brand has been destroyed.