Updated 13/11/2007: After Richard from tigerapex called me and threatened (and I quote) to "take you for every penny you've got", amongst other threats, I contacted a solicitor who recommended some small changes to this page. The facts remain, unchanged, but some opinions that I hold regarding the integrity of Tigerapex and it's directors have been removed.

In January of this year, I bought a Renault Laguna from Tigerapex in Birmingham. In my past, I have had some bad credit history due to my first attempt at starting my own business. I had previously visited "Yes car finance" and found that they were trying to sell me cars with vastly overinflated prices and huge interest rates, and mainstream car dealerships had problems finding me credit.

Against what should have been my better judgement, I decided to buy the car with all the toys but higher mileage, instead of a more sensible car with lower mileage. I also fell for the "it's all motorway miles" line. I ended up buying the top-of-the-line renault Laguna (the Initiale) from Mark Smith at Tigerapex. At first, I thought I'd made a really good buy. Cosmetically, the car was great, and had all the features I could possibly want.

However, this turned out to be the worst move I could possibly have made. I'm currently having to hire a courtesy car from the garage I have ended up taking the car to be investigated at. During the first 6 months (and 6,000 miles) of having the car, the following things have gone wrong :

• Water Temperature Sensor
• Air conditioning compressor
• Gearbox
• Clutch
• Rear Bushes
• Tie Rods

The warranty only covers the first £500 of the faults. I fixed the first two faults, but the last four are going to cost me over £3000. Since the time I bought the car, I have attempted to contact Tigerapex on the occasions of the first two faults. During this time Tigerapex have :

• Called me a liar
• Accused me of threatening them
• Not answered my calls
• Not responded to my emails
• Refused to contribute to the cost of any of the faults

I've learned a couple of lessons from this. It really is a good idea to avoid small car dealers unless you have lots of good personal recommendations about them. The likelihood of you getting screwed over is high. Also, never buy high mileage under the impression that a car has done "motorway miles only" or that a warranty will protect you from any problems with the car - dealers probably see people who buy these lines as easy marks, which, admittedly, I was.

I've put this article up in the hope that anyone thinking about buying a vehicle from Tigerapex who searches for their name will find it. I'd like to make sure that anyone considering purchasing a car from them has the benefit of my experience.