Bishops Guildford

[jeepstertim]

I have always been monumentally underwhelmed by Jeep dealers, lack of interest, lack of knowledge and indifference....so it was welcome a surprise to deal with Bishops who are near work for me.  An initial visit to cure leaking doors left me feeling underwhelmed with oily fingerprints on the inside of the hardtop and the carpets 'dried' by running the engine with the heater on!

 

A second visit and chatting to Mark, he was on it straight away and took my death wobble seriously, researching it and identifying 2 worn ball joints (Olds just smacked into holes and curbs to try to replicate the wobble and said there was nothing wrong) and have ordered a new steering damper as well once rectified.  Under Paulo in the workshop they spent 2 and half days fixing the leak and were able to explain to me exactly what was done (and the fact Jeep no longer claim the Wrangler is a waterproof car).  To top it all they have lent me a loan car twice (Cherokee and Fiat 500x) and waived the £100+ for my inconvenience).

 

In all I have left with the impression of a company fighting back from a poor reputation (Mark will admit this) who will actually invest time and effort in your car.  I would recommend Bishops on my experiences.

 

The kick in the teeth for me and unrelated to Bishops is that the following day, while collecting rations to drive to the Alps, the secondary belt tensioner on the engine failed so we have drive skiing in a reliable Golf hatchback....now that was a squeeze!

 

Why are Jeeps so sodding unreliable/ flimsy

[Volant165]

Did you buy it new?

[jeepstertim]

Yes, from new

[Patrick]

Sadly, my experience with Bishops has been quite poor.

 

My car was new, but imported from the USA. I took it to them for the 1st annual service, at which point they told me it had a recall, but the parts would need to come from Italy. It was almost time for its 2nd annual service, and a further recall. During the previous few months I'd gotten reminders from Jeep about the recall, plus a 2nd recall, which I forwarded to Bishops - to be told they were waiting for the parts still.  Anyway, Feb'15 I was in Canada when they called...parts had arrived and so I booked it in for the 2nd Annual service and to get the two recalls done. BUT a day after I'd dropped the jeep off, they rang to say that the parts hadn't arrived. the didn't arrive the next day, and in fact, it was the following week that the parts arrived. They didn't charge me for the use of the loan car and only charged a nominal £100 for the service by way of apology.

This year, I rang three times to book the 3rd annual service and MOT. I couldn't get through to jeep service, and despite leaving my name and number on each occasion, they never called me. So I'm using a local shop where we had our other car maintained happily for 7 years.

 

I do hope they get better. Its a huge let down for Jeep owners when their support network fails.

 

Patrick

 

[jeepstertim]

Just to 'big up' Bishops a bit more.  I got the JKU back after 31/2 weeks yesterday, the ball joints have been done (no more death wobble), the noisy engine pulley and belt done, the unfathomable horn sounding with indicators cured, a 45,000m service (less oil change) and a loan car for the duration (2000miles) and the cost??????   

 

NOTHING!

 

The difference is Mark and Paul care.  They actually took the time to work through the front end and identify the ball joints, unlike another Jeep dealer who couldn't replicate the fault and said there was nothing wrong.  The horn had them scratching their heads but it was eventually tracked down to a poor earth.  not once did I get the usual response of 'there are no faults on the computer'

 

I for one, will continue to use Bishops.  The new-ish team are good.

[Nalboon]

I wanted to get my Jeep Commander serviced by Bishops last year,

Emailed them for a booking - no response.

Called them - was told they would call me back - they didn't

Went there, Service tech was unavailable but I was told they call me back - they didn't

Called them once more - again no call back.

 

Looks like they are not interested in working on a Jeep that wasn't bought there. If so, they could at least have said so.

Now looking for an independent specialist.

[jeepstertim]

I'd give them another go, there is a new service team there.  I didn't buy my car from them.

[tgwale]

Don't even waste your time calling/visiting Bishops in Guildford. This has been from June 2016 to present.

 

I have been there one two occasions:

1st visit - when trying to buy a Jeep, the sales man said they don't deal with Wranglers and he doesn't know anything about them. They didn't recommend any other Wrangler dealers. Incredibly unhelpful.

2nd visit - after buying my Wrangler I found the soft top very difficult to close, I went mid week to ask the parts guys for some help (muscle). Once again, told by the receptionist they don't deal with Wranglers, one of the sales men said I should visit the dealership I bought it from (1 hour away). Only when a mechanic saw me struggling did he come to help, problem was sorted in 10/15 minutes.

 

Sadly I had to call them to book in my recall on airbag part (I work 5 minutes away). 7 calls I was put on hold and it hung up! On the 8th call, I spoke to a lady who was very unhelpful and passive aggressive. Said she will call me when they have the part to book my Wrangler in (it's been 6 weeks, still no telephone call or email)

 

If you are in the South East ALWAYS use Horsham Car Centre - they couldn't be more helpful.

[jeepstertim]

And Mark has been moved on (could never do enough for me).  I'll reserve comment on the new team but clock spring recall done with no bother.