Warning: Ben Stephen Thomas - Fraudster Exposed

P. V. Z. - April 2025

Ben Thomas is a thief a liar and a conman! I had a written agreement with Ben Thomas to sell me a car last year. He provided a full written agreement and took a deposit then claimed that the car was unserviceable and refused to return my deposit. I took this charlatan to court and won (he did not even show up) any honest people should avoid this scam artist at all costs.

Philipp N. - March 2024

This is a copy of an email I had to send. Do not buy a car from here unless you get a full inspection. I only wish I had read the reviews beforehand..... Ben, As you know, there have been multiple and ongoing issues with the car you sold me on the 18th December 2023 for £14,990 I am still waiting for the sale invoice despite sending you the details, in advance, on 14th December After collecting the car on the 18th Dec, the steering felt unusually heavy at slow speeds and the tracking was out between 65-75mph. I called my mechanic and booked it in for January to have an inspection. These are 13/14 year old cars so I took a relaxed approach and knew the inspection would give some answers. January 31st I sent you the report from CG Motortech which highlighted many issues and an estimate to resolve costing £2702.13 I said to you most of the items are fine but could you send me the stop start button and power steering pump. On Feb 1st I gave you the address. On Feb 9th I chased again. No response On Feb 12th I chased again, spoke to you and you said you would send the parts. On Feb 14th I chased again and got no response On Feb 23rd I called you again, this time not only to chase the parts but because there was now further issues with the injectors. You said you had covid and, to quote, “come hell or high water, so will get your parts out then” Still nothing has arrived… In the meantime I have spent almost £1900 sorting stuff because I can’t keep waiting and it is clear your service levels are non existent On March 12th I sent you a video of more issues with this time either timing chains or snout coupler. During our call I explained my unhappiness with you, your service, the car you sold me and offered you to collect the car and refund me or we could let the lawyers resolve it as you have shown zero willingness to help simply breaking promises as detailed above.

James Ross (in response): Hi Philipp, unfortunately I didn’t see your review before I purchased the vehicle. Ben the so called ‘salesperson’ failed to fulfill the sales agreement and has done nothing to resolve the issue. I assume you emailed AutoTrader? (if it was purchased from the website)

Tom G.

I bought a Range Rover L322 from Ben that was described as immaculate and priced accordingly. I stupidly took him at his word and didn't go to see the car. When it turned up on a trailer it had a dead battery, was running on fumes, the rear wiper didn't work, one of the headlights is completely knackered, it has a transmission fault because of a faulty locking diff, rusty rear arches and sills that someone had just coated in waxoyl, duct tape holding the headlights in, the front bumper hanging off, a destroyed fuel tank guard, the windscreen cowl hanging off, snapped lower tailgate strap, multiple trim pieces hanging off on door and window seals, rear window seal broken and hanging off, the parking sensors don't work, the rearview camera doesn't work, incorrect wheel bolts in both rear wheels, no rear parcel shelf and a missing towhook. Ben also said it had recently had a new reconditioned gearbox installed but one look at it will tell you that's not true and it was supposed to be serviced before delivery, which also wasn't done. Ben has an Instagram where he posts well taken pictures of seemingly nice cars (including mine) and seems to talk the talk over txt but the reality is that he's like any other car dealer passing rubbish off as good quality. There are at least 3 faults listed here that are MOT failures and it turned up with a fresh MOT so I guess he has a MOT accomplice too. He refused to refund me so I took him to small claims court where he defaulted and lost. He was told by the courts to pay me back in full but instead dissolved his LTD company to avoid having to pay. I don't know what name he's trading under now but I would advise to just absolutely avoid like the plague. I'll chalk up my experience as a tuition payment in the school of life.

James Ross (in response): Hi Tom, I’m responding to your review because I too have been stung by Mr Ben Thomas c/o V8 Vault. I bought a L322 from this ‘chancer’ the vehicle had a dead battery which I had to replace and no parcel shelf. His response was meaningless and just words, mostly BS. It’s a real pity we can’t hold individuals like this to account.