Disappointing
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (Updated from 5 stars)
I’m leaving this updated review with genuine regret, especially after being a loyal and previously very satisfied customer of Padgetts. Over the past two years, I’ve purchased three motorcycles from them totalling over £24,000, completed multiple services, and even left a glowing 5-star review in the past praising their friendly and customer-focused service.
Unfortunately, that level of care seems to have completely disappeared.
🚨 Recent Experiences That Changed My View:
1. Bait-and-Switch on Refunds:
I ordered a front brake disc (over £250) over the phone, planning a major service before a European trip. In the meantime, I bought a different bike from them (Aprilia Tuareg). Naturally, I asked to cancel the disc order. Despite this being a remote transaction, I was told I’d be charged a 20% "handling" fee. Not only is this legally questionable, but it's also just poor customer care especially when I’d just made another significant purchase from them. I accepted the charge to maintain goodwill, but the principle still stings.
2. Lowball Part Exchange Offers:
Despite having full service history with them, their trade-in offer for my Honda was insultingly low. I ended up selling it privately for nearly double.
3. Neglected Bike Prep on Used Purchase:
I bought a second-hand 2022 Aprilia Tuareg 660 that had been sitting on their showroom floor for over a year. I explicitly asked for a thorough check-up before collection as I've been planning to go for over the Europe trip within days. Instead:
They didn't done anything to it at all. Brake fluid (for bike from 2022), oil, and chain were not serviced or even cleaned at all (chain has been just sprayed with grease on top of dirt) as by the book service it not come yet (regardless of sitting there for over a year and service by millage start within 400 mile and me planning 5k mile trip which they know about... On top of that the front tyre had gone warped from sitting causing a wobbling front end.
Only after I immediately returned it did they admit the issue, replace the tyre, and perform a basic service, but (hold on!) then asked me to pay for the service because it wasn’t “yet due by mileage.”! Really?!
4. Lack of Support Post-Sale:
Just two months later and after an amazing 5K-mile trip across Europe, on one shiny morning at home my Tuareg randomly wouldn’t start. I did all the standard checks, then called Padgetts hoping for advice and to avoid voiding the short warranty.
Here’s what I got:
* They told me that warranty is 3 months or 1,000 miles whichever comes first. (Spoiler: 1,000 miles vanishes fast on a touring bike.)
* No mechanics available it’s the middle of riding season, but they’re all on holiday.
* I’d need to arrange and pay for a tow-in by myself as their gone for Isle of Man.
* Wait time? Several weeks as they lack of mechanic at the moment (in the middle of bike season!).
* no good will of suggesting they might do a quick check to see if I didn't missed anything. Just leave your bike with us for weeks to come in the middle of bike season and wait!
All this was delivered in a “not our problem” tone, like I was no longer a valued customer.
And guess what? After a few more minutes of my own inspection, I found a loose nut on the positive starter cable. Tightened it up myself. No need for tow trucks or long waits. Just basic care, which I didn’t get from Padgetts.
🧭 Summary:
Padgetts used to be a gold-standard shop with a reputation for care and expertise. Their brand is recognised around Europe due to original owner winning multiple races. That reputation is now being eroded by poor after-sale support, lack of ownership on basic responsibilities, and a worrying attitude shift towards customers once the sale is complete.
I no longer recommend them, and with a heavy heart, I’m changing my review from 5 stars to 1.
PS: For anyone reading do your research. Good service doesn't end when you leave the showroom.
