What Car? guide to car supermarkets - Introduction

What Car? Guide to Car Supermarkets

What Car? sent a team of mystery shoppers to 27 car supermarkets on test over a two-week period to find out exactly what kind of service buyers can expect.

The aim was not to present a scientific analysis, but to give a real 'buyer's eye' view of each outlet.

Our investigators arrived unannounced at each outlet and posed as customers, wishing to trade in the same Ford Mondeo. We received some surprisingly different part-exchange valuations.

Our team recorded their first impressions of each supermarket, then awarded scores in 10 different categories. We marked each supermarket out of 100, and points were available in each category where outlets met certain criteria. Equally, points were deducted if supermarkets failed to provide certain services.