Amber and Nathan Cooper's dream honeymoon turned into a financial and emotional nightmare when the £7,000 Citroen C4 they purchased using their wedding present money failed catastrophically just two weeks after their wedding.
The couple from Wolverhampton spent their gift money on the used vehicle from Trade Centre UK, intending to drive it to Cornwall for their honeymoon in August 2025. However, as they travelled along the A30 near the Jamaica Inn on Bodmin Moor, the car lost power and began rolling backwards, leaving them stranded. Upon returning the vehicle to the dealership two weeks later, they learned it required a new engine, clutch and gearbox—repairs that would have cost thousands of pounds.
A year after the breakdown, the Coopers remain locked in a dispute with the dealership, still seeking an apology and their money back. They are among 34 customers who have reported similar experiences across Trade Centre UK branches in Coventry, Rochdale, Rotherham and Wales, according to reporting on the dispute.
Customers have described persistent mechanical failures including loud engine noises, suspension problems and clutch defects. Many report that the dealership's rejection process under the Consumer Rights Act proved complicated and lengthy, with claims frequently refused.
Amber described the emotional toll of the situation:
It's gutted us mentally, emotionally, physically, financially, I don't know what we can do apart from get this story out and have people learn from our mistake.
How has this affected the couple's finances?
The Coopers have been left in significant debt as a result of the failed purchase. They spent a year hiring and borrowing cars before eventually taking out a loan to replace the vehicle they lost. Amber explained that the situation has derailed their life plans and created ongoing financial strain.
Amber said:
People are coming to us and asking are you enjoying your wedding present? We have to say, 'No, it's sitting in the Trade Centre's car park'. We're having to apologise to people who turned up to our wedding and kindly gave us money.
Nathan's work situation has compounded their difficulties. His job in Telford requires a 60-mile round trip daily, and without reliable transport he has had to miss work on multiple occasions, resulting in lost income. The couple remains in debt while attempting to repay the replacement loan, and Amber has been unable to save towards purchasing a home or starting a family.
Amber added:
We're still in debt, trying to pay off this loan and now I can't save for a house, start a family and move on with my life.
What happened to other customers?
Connor and Danielle Johnson-Bray from Stoke-on-Trent purchased their vehicle from the Wednesbury branch in September 2024. Their car broke down within two days of purchase, and when offered a replacement, that vehicle subsequently failed three times over an eight-month period.
The couple spent £2,200 on repairs, courtesy car hire and associated costs. After the dealership refused their refund request, they pursued their case through small claims court against the finance company they had used to purchase the vehicle. The finance company agreed to settle, though the settlement meant the couple lost a significant amount of money.
Danielle explained:
We did accept that [settlement], and it meant that we did lose a lot of money as well. We didn't have any more fight left in us. It had drained us, we were very stressed, we were tired, I wasn't sleeping.
Michelle Chancellor from Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire, purchased a Vauxhall from the Wednesbury branch and heard loud engine noises shortly after buying it. Following media coverage of the dispute, the dealership contacted her and accepted her refund request. However, processing the refund took an additional two to three weeks, during which she continued to lose income as a self-employed mature student living alone.
Michelle said:
It was another two to three weeks until my refund came through and I was able to buy a new car, which meant I was still losing out on income after signing the rejection papers. I think that the financial loss will affect me for a while yet, especially as I'm a self-employed mature student that lives alone.
What is the dealership's response?
Trade Centre UK stated that it
works hard to resolve problems when they ariseand that such issues are rare. The company's statement indicated that
on these rare occasions, our teams work with customers to investigate the issue and identify an appropriate resolution, which can include repairs, replacement vehicles or, where appropriate, accepting rejection of a vehicle.
The dealership further stated that it takes concerns
very seriouslyand recognises that
problems can sometimes occur.According to additional reporting on the matter, Trade Centre UK told the media that it
strongly refutes any suggestion that we sell faulty vehicles or fail to meet our obligations to customers.
The company emphasised its 20-year operational history across the UK and claimed to have served hundreds of thousands of customers during that period. It stated:
We are committed to meeting our responsibilities to our customers and continue to invest in our vehicle preparation, aftersales and customer service operations.
What do consumer experts say?
Stuart Masson, a consumer expert, expressed concern about the pattern of disputes. He noted that it is worrying when multiple customers feel compelled to pursue formal complaints because they believe a dealership is not cooperating in good faith.
Masson explained:
It's enormously frustrating, the Consumer Rights Act has to be fair to both parties when it comes to buying used cars. It should be easy, especially within the first month. After six months it becomes more complicated. But it sounds like a lot of these problems are happening within the first few weeks.
According to earlier reporting on the used car sector, used car buying ranks among the most complained-about sectors in the UK, according to Trading Standards commentary.
What regulatory action is underway?
Sandwell Council Trading Standards has launched an investigation into the complaints against Trade Centre UK. The council is urging anyone with issues to report their concerns via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service. According to reporting on the investigation, Warwickshire Trading Standards had not taken any warnings, enforcement notices, undertakings or prosecutions against the Coventry branch at the time of earlier coverage.
What happens next?
Sandwell Council Trading Standards' investigation remains ongoing, with consumers being directed to report issues through the Citizens Advice Consumer Service. No specific hearing date or enforcement action timeline has been announced at this stage.
