What Car? guide to car supermarkets - Direct Cars, Sheffield

CHOICE
With up to 1000 on display, almost every mainstream maker and model was represented, including prestige brands and a good choice of 4x4s and large MPVs. Most of the cars were used, but there were some new and pre-registered ones available.

PRICES
Direct Cars had some keenly priced cars, at about 5% under trade guides.

DID IT HAVE THE CARS WE SAW ONLINE?
We found some of the cars we'd seen on the website, but due to the size and layout of the site, it could be frustrating to track down a specific car.

HIDDEN CHARGES
There are no extra fees to pay on any of Direct Cars' vehicles, other than road tax.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THINGS GO WRONG?
All cars get 30 days' cover if they don't have any manufacturer's warranty left. You can buy an extended warranty and breakdown cover. Direct Cars gives all the vehicles it sells
a pre-sales inspection.

FINANCE
Direct Cars use Black Horse Finance. We were given a quote at a flat rate of 7%, which would have made the APR over 13%.

PART-EXCHANGE
Direct Cars take part-exchanges, but our salesman wouldn't give us a part-ex figure, saying that the company prefers you to agree to buy before giving a valuation. The business manager then suggested that he could give us a figure but one wasn't forthcoming.

TEST DRIVE
Test drives were available, but we were told that Direct Cars sees it as almost the last stage of the buying process. We were unable to take a car out when we visited. The test would have been on local roads and for a short distance.

CONDITION
All cars looked clean and in good condition, and there were valeters on site re-cleaning the cars.

CUSTOMER SERVICE
After an age wandering the site unchallenged, we ventured into the showroom and had to ask a member of staff for assistance. Salesman John didn't seem that enthusiastic about helping us but the business manager was more helpful.

Overall, we felt that the good selection of cars was let down by the approach of some staff.

VERDICTSome good deals to be had, but difficulty arranging a test drive and part-ex value and poor sales staff spoiled our visit.

DIRECT CARS
Eckington Way, Nr Crystal Peaks, Sheffield S20 3FG
Web: www.directcars.co.uk
Phone: 01142 511222