Holmes Motors
Reviews and Complaints

I have purchased my car in 2021 and have been making on time payments since. I fell into a financial hardship and set up arrangements with Holmes. Since I fell behind on payments I’m paying twice the amount of the original monthly payments. Every week I make a payment them a few days later they shut the car off for something different. Insurance is always current and payments as promised. My sorry account manager won’t apply the notes in the account properly so they shut it off even though a payment was made. I was on hold for an hour and still no resolution they went home and my car was shut off again. So now I’ve lost hours from work trying to get an answer and have no way to even get to work. How can I pay my bills without a working car. They won’t tell me everything up front and just keep making more excuses to get more money out me. Worst mistake I’ve ever made was getting a car from Holmes.

Where to begin? I purchased a 2012 dodge grand caravan in March of 2020. I was told the car was in excellent shape. I didn't even have the car for 2 months and the engine went out. They put it in the shop for 3 weeks after they said it would only take a week at max. I was stranded during this time. I got the van back only for the transmission to fail. I called again and was told that the warranty they claimed I had wasn't valid to fix it because of too many miles? When I bought the car it had 65000 and I had only made it up to about 72,000 miles. In the 36 months I paid on it, I had to replace the alternator twice, the power steering pump, the serpentine belt twice, just about the whole front end, the driver side window,all the gaskets and seals, the rotors, and they shut off my car in 20 degree weather because they claimed I hadn't made payment and when I proved I had they had to turn it back on. Now I'm being told less than a month after I paid it off that the engine that they supposedly fixed is blown, again. They sold me a lemon and I will never recommend this place to anyone...they sold me a van for 10,000 when it wasn't even worth half of that.

Deposit on a vehicle from them 3 weeks ago Saturday when I called on Friday and spoke to George the sales man ager he tells me they're at which ends with it because they can't get it to pass admissions so for 3 weeks I'm thinking I'm going to get a vehicle and they told me I'm approved for a vehicle and then all of a sudden this guy George the sales manager calls me and says hey you have a bankruptcy so we can't do business but if it's not credit checking place how do you even know I had a bankruptcy are you waited 3 weeks to tell me that that's for business could have been honest from the beginning but your policy says no credit check

I purchased a vehicle in February 2022 and I have had issues since the first week I’ve spent over $1000 in maintenance and every time I call for services it was always a reason they couldn’t help, the service dept the case manager and the Sales rep knew the vehicle was in the worst condition and instead of fixing what was wrong before I purchased they just put it all on me and it was big problems oil leak, bad transmission, brakes, and you would think they would help but that wasn’t the case they old me to ask for help from family members and I thought that was weird considering I didn’t purchase a poor used vehicle from family ! I wouldn’t recommend anybody to Holmes motor it’s a step up finance and ever worst insurance policy ! What’s the point in saying they’ll help repair but really don’t ! I called every month to get service and time I didn’t pay the insurance because the truck don’t work they picked up my vehicle BUT IT WASNT RUNNING ! Why would I pay insurance on a broken down vehicle in a pandemic! Yea they should think about the customers !

Tuesday, May 3,2022 5: 25 pm

So I have had this car for a little over three years always paid my car note always paid my insurance. I get a call from the insurance verification saying that I need to send in information about my insurance. Number 1 it’s 5:25 pm and y’all department closed at 5:30 number 2 my phone is on 1% and you want me to call my insurance company to tell them to send the paperwork over saying my insurance is paid in 5 minutes and my phone on 1%. So I said no I can’t call them you call them. I go in the gas station come back out and my car is turned off. I specifically told her my insurance is paid for and do not turn my car off. She did it anyway. Did I also mention I had three kids in the car stranded with no phone and my car is off. So even though my bills are paid you still turned my car off. I have had this car for three years never have I once had this issue I will be done paying it off in September and I have always paid my insurance. So what in the hell would I not have insurance now.

Hi I purchased my car back in feb 2020.. It had 101, 000 miles on the car already. My first time buying a car used. I was told nothing was wrong with the car. I have been fixing on this car sense july. Car hasn't had no tune up on it. I have pictures of parts that are old and rusty from a 2016 year car. Mind you they won't fix anything on the car of its over the mileage. I had to replace the alternator myself. Haven't had the car a year it has transmission and catalytic converter issues. Had to change the breaks the 2 back tires. Plus I'm getting harassing phone calls for payment or if you don't have insurance they comply with your held responsible for any accidents is what the insurance lady told me. Mind you they will repo your car if you don't have insurance. When been in a pandemic most of this year. Unemployed and still trying to make payments before are car is shut off or repossessed all while fixing a car. Being harassed. I want to take them to court for all the money I have spend and the emotional strain and stress it's putting on me

BEWARE STAY FAR AWAY FROM THIS PLACE!

I went on approximately November 18th, 2019 I purchased a Ford Expedition from Holmes Motors out of Birmingham, AL location. I drove the next day all the way to there Mississippi location to pick it up. Approximately three days later the engine lights came on and wouldn't go no where. They had there repo team come get it and very nicely put me in a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica van around November 27th, 2019. I picked this up from there Montgomery, AL location. November 30th, 2019 I get an engine light on and error code P0305 (Cylinder Misfire on 5) Spark plug as well. The spark plug cost $15.00 and the Coil cost $73.00 with tax it was $86.79 and $150.00 for installation. Low and behold after 100 miles of driving the engine light comes back on and basically needs a new engine. Holmes Motors comes and tows it I get a call two days later saying it needs a new starter but they cant locate one. I drove a total of six hours and paid $270.00 for a new starter. Holmes Motors takes the van back puts in a new engine. I get the van back and stuff is looser than hell. There are bare wires showing I call them and let them know this immediately. I am told bring it down and it will have to be here two or three days. I haven't had the time due to working non-stop and finding a good time to be without a vehicle for my kids. I am bringing this van down tonight and I DONT want it back until it is SAFE for my kids. If we cant get it that way I need a SUV (I will pay the down payment difference) or my money back. I have spent a total of $506.79 not including gas running all over the place and only been refunded $223.00. I am beyond pissed with this company and I have got NO WHERE. I have talked to so many people trying to get the rest of my money back I was promised it is not even funny only to get no where.

As shown in the video below the engine shakes back and forth without it even running. Going from drive to reverse to neutral the whole van rocks back and forth. The coolant line either during changing out the engine or with the motor rocking back and forth has caused it to be bent in half in two spots.

I just need a safe and reliable vehicle for my kids and family. If this cant happen like I say I gave two other options, If we cant come to an agreement and resolve all these issues I will be taking this to my attorney. I have given ample time and patients with all these issues. I expect the van to be thoroughly checked over I will not be bringing it back any issues within 30 days after getting it back Holmes Motors will need to come get it.

Exactly one month ago I got it back from Holmes Motors. They tightened the motor mount. I now had the engine light come on over the Fourth of July leaving me stranded again. The van is shaking again and engine light is flashing giving me error code P0305 (Cylinder Misfire on 5) Spark plug as well AGAIN. I brought it down to be fix 7/7/2020 they call me 7/8/2020saying it's ready. I go back to get it get 50 miles away from dealership SAME thing happened. I go in this morning 7/09/2020 they tell me after sitting forever waiting this code reading machine is broke. They don't know what's wrong with it but it my responsibility to fix out of my pocket. This is [censored]. They had this issue three days after I bought it rebuilt the parts and now it fails again and it's MY responsibility?

Almost $10, 000 later and was in the shop more than I had it. Also engine is SUPPOSED to be under warranty. They tell me this isn't under warranty but getting the SAME error codes since three days after I got it.

Joshua Lisenby
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My vehicle was supposed to be enable to drive Thursday and it is now Saturday and the vehicle won't start. I am current with the note. I have been stuck with three children on two days because I thought it was start the next day after we got stuck. I was told to wait 5 minutes the first time I called. The second time I called I was left on hold, just for the sales rep to return to the phone and say the payment department left. So I was left stranded for 2 hours in the rain with three kids in the car even though the car note was paid.

My 2015 Chevrolet Traverse got repossessed on February 26, 2020 and I start calling on Wednesday and the same day of the repossession they sent me a text . I have talked with 6 different people 5 of them was rude and very unprofessional Jammie was the nicest one Nichole Patrick Suzann are super rude. I know my rights and the law and by not telling me where I can go get my personal belongings is not right. Everyone keep sending me over to rude Patrick who will not tell where to go get my belongings I am in title to that y'all have the truck I just want what belongings to me I been calling since last Wednesday to today 3/5/2020 Patrick will not come to the phone Suzann smart mouth saying he busy which I know it's a lie. Guess small claims court it is. YALL ARE WRONG AND BREAKING THE LAW. All I want is my belongings

I brought a car from this car lot and I have paid my car notes on time all the time and I gets calls of saying that I haven't made payments. I have went to the office many of times tell and showing them about this. At first she told me that don't worry about that because you paid your bills on time it an auto that send before days or it just an reminder. This happen all the time she said. I keep all of my receipts of everything that I do. So got tired of these lies of trash that she was telling so I went again and this time she says, "its the auto computer that send out reminder but it don't say its not late but she goes to say this if you past due it would sent". I look at her and said have I every been late and she said no. You have paid on time and early. I ask her why you keep sending me these past due reminder. She said I don't know why it keep sending you those past reminders. This is bad business. I know it a bunch of customers said this about Holmes Motors they are slammers. Please buy a vehicle from them go somewhere else to purchase.

Hello, I am writing this to let as many people know as possible to reconsider or take a chance anywhere else, but do not go to Holmes Motors if you are loOKing for a good pre owned vehicle. We traveled a nice distance to see what they had to offer. Everything seemed so good, especially from loOKing at a boOK that puts their dealership ad in it. We did not have any problem with the salesperson, as a matter of fact, highly courteous and professional at his job. We found a vehicle that really caught our eye, and at that time we just knew we made the right decision about the drive, until we test drove it. The good thing about the situation is that I know a lot about vehicles and what price is reasonable according to the vehicle's year, the mileage driven, and overall shape, inside and out, of the vehicle.
When I began to test drive it, the vehicle cut off as I was reversing. One Bad Sign! Not thinking much on it, crank it up and proceed with test drive. As I drove it, it handled OK and I almost overloOKed the reversing issue on the lot. As I proceeded to push more on the gas, I felt that it toOK a few seconds to respond, plus it would seem to want to cut off whenever we were in park. The conclusion to that was I knew that this vehicle either had water in the gas, or a decaying fuel pump. When I got back to the dealership, I never said nothing, but I wanted to do the figuring on what they were asking in all before I gave my opinion.
Long Story short, they will hustle you by intriguing you to buy a vehicle for twice the amount that it is worth. and that bi-weekly pay is the worst thing that can put you truly in debt. They wanted us to pay over $400 a month for a vehicle that is not worth paying $250 a month, with an overall price of over$18, 000. The vehicle with all its flaws was not even worth being sold for $9, 000. It really disappointed me because we went to them thinking that this was the better place, but turned out to be the worst of them all.
I hope that if you are considering a vehicle from Holmes Motors, do not go there. It is not worth it. You willl overpay for a vehicle that is not even worth half of its total price. And for Holmes Motors, you guys need to either do better by the people with the prices and that crazy bi-weekly mess, or go find something else to do. I Thank God that we did not fall in that trap!

I bought a used vehicle from Holmes Motors in D'Iberville, MS. I put $5, 000 in cash down on the vehicle, and never had a late payment. One morning, I woke up and our vehicle was gone. I called Holmes Motors immediately and discovered that they took it because I didn't have insurance. My insurance expired one day before they took the vehicle. I called my auto insurance company and asked why I never received a renewal notice...they had sent it to a wrong address. I advised Holmes Motors of this, and was told that I would still need to pay $500 dollars in order to get my vehicle back. Furthermore, when they took my vehicle, they also took our carseats for our 2 and 3 year old. They left us with no legal way to transport our children anywhere. Buyer beware, Holmes Motors doesn't play around. They are cutthroat to the core.

Well I have to say there are always more than one side to a story. At Holmes Motors we work very hard to do the right thing in every scenario, in some cases losing money to keep our customers happy and their vehicle rolling. While there are a few people that have written these reviews...(possibly our jealous competition) we have over 50, 000 families that have done business with us over the last 20 years since we've been in business. Of the 50, 000 families there are thousands of repeat customers every year. So, I ask that anyone reading this will take that into consideration. We will work hard for each and every customer and you WILL be satisfied after doing business with us.

Unfortunately, and I cannot say I'm any different...people have a phobia about dealings with car dealers. I can attest that people walk in the door with their dukes up in the swing position. There are many times we literally go beyond the call of duty and offer vehicles or service with very small profit and still a customer doesn't believe us and walks out calling us liars and cheats. It's a very difficult fine line to walk...you just cannot win in every situation...you cannot make everyone happy. Don't let a few stories that may or may not even be true keep you away from a 20 year old successful business. Successful at making people happy and providing great service.

We have good cars, good staff, and good programs so please don't stay away from us because a small few complaints that again may or may not be true. We even see on this site where someone poses as a partner in the business and acts really cocky. That brother doesn't even know how to type much less get on the Internet and type up arrogant statements.

We look forward to hearing from you, and seeing you in our showroom for the next 20 years.

Sincerely,

Jason

My husband and I bought a 2001 Lincoln Continental from Holmes in April, 2008. My husband had already been pre-approved for a loan, but when we arrived at the lot, the salesmen didn't seem to know what we were talking about or who we were. We waited over an hour, while a salesman showed us several cars. We explained that we did not want to see any vehicles until he told us how much we were approved for on the loan, and what the downpayment would be. He still insisted on showing us other vehicles on the lot, wasting our time.

When we went back inside, we were subjected to another long wait, until we were finally able to speak with the person in charge of in-house financing, Jimmy. We were told he was the only associate working in this department. First of all, when he approached us, he had a completely unprofessional attitude: he looked like he did not want to be there, and his clothes were covered in food stains, he had food all over his mouth, and overall looked like a slob.

He showed us about eight cars, one of which was an Oldsmobile Alero which was in extremely poor condition. This car looked like it was salvaged from Hurricane Katrina! For some strange reason, we decided to test drive the car, and not surprisingly, it drove horribly. The suspension creaked and groaned, brakes barely worked, it had absolutely NO pick-up at all! And Jimmy told us all their cars had been inspected. At this point, I was suspicious, but agreed to look at other vehicles.

Jimmy then showed us the 2001 Lincoln Continental. He stated, 'You won't find anything wrong with this car, ' and told us it had been owned by an elderly man who had retired from the military, and rarely drove the car. We drove the car, took it on the interstate nearby, and it drove perfectly. At this point, we were convinced we were getting a good deal, so we signed on the deal and picked up the car the following day.

We live in Mobile, about an hour away, and as soon as we got the car over the state line, it began missing, then it cut off at the next stop light, but we managed to get it home. The rest of the week, it seemed to run okay, but a week later was when all the real trouble started. We took the car to Chattanooga, TN for my job interview. Before we'd even left Mobile, the transmission began to slip and did not want to shift properly. Remember, we'd only had this car for a week at this point! But we drove it to Chattanooga with no further problems until about halfway there, when it began missing again.

We did, however, make it to Chattanooga. When we arrived, we decided to drive up Signal Mountain, to find the school where I was to be interviewed for a job. As we made the drive back down the mountain and got onto the interstate, the car would not shift out of third gear. We crawled back to the hotel, unable to drive more than about 30 miles per hour. As soon as we got back to our hotel, all the transmission fluid was gushing out of the car onto the ground.

We had the car towed to the nearest Ford dealership, where we were told that the CV axle seals were blown and the repairs would cost around $900. We had to rent a car in the meantime. We agreed to have them repair the car, and contacted Holmes Motors to tell them what had happened. They told us that we would have to speak to Jimmy, who, as usual, was not available. They also told us that they would not pay the mechanic in Chattanooga for the repairs, nor would they rewrite the contract to include the cost of the repairs.

No matter what we said, Holmes would not compensate us for the repairs, nor the rental car. We picked up the car about five days later. The lengthy time for the repairs caused us to have to stay in Chattanooga an extra six days and my husband to miss work. As we were short on money, since we had not accounted for an extra $900 on this trip, we had to have someone wire us money to help pay for the added expenses.

When we picked up the car on that Saturday, the mechanic explained to us that they had replaced the seals and put in new fluid, but that the transmission still did not shift properly. He said we should be able to drive the car back to Mobile, but that we would probably not be able to go more than 45 mph. When we drove the car out of the repair shop and proceeded to the hotel, the car would not shift at all, and we didn't even make it halfway down the block. We therefore had to rent a U-Haul moving van and car carrier to tow the car back home. Jimmy at Holmes Motors told us that we would have to tow the car to their lot to have a used transmission installed in their in-house repair shop. We would have to pay them to install the transmission, and our notes would increase by $100 a month.

About two weeks later, we picked up the car and signed new paperwork on the rewritten contract. (The same one they would not rewrite for us earlier.) We asked how many miles were on the new transmission and were told it had about 30 thousand miles on it. We also noticed that we were told the cost of the transmission would be $1800, but when we were presented with a bill, the price was $2000. When we inquired about this, they explained to us that when they installed the new transmission, they broke the pins that hold it in place, and we were charged about $80 for new pins. Why we had to pay for what they broke, I still can't figure out!

Again, on the way back home from Holmes Motors, the car began missing, and the transmission started shuddering. We got the car to our home in Mobile. The next morning as my husband drove to work, the transmission warning light came on, and he had to return home and get another ride to work. He called Jimmy, who said he would have someone come and get the vehicle and that they would look at it. They sent a tow truck to pick up the car the same day. Later that day, my husband made several calls to Jimmy, who, yet again, was not available, to find out the status of the car. The next day, he was finally able to speak to Jimmy, who said the problem was with a cellanoid and the repairs would take a few days to complete as they had to wait on the parts to be delivered to them.

The next time my husband spoke to Jimmy, he told us the car was ready. By this point, we were both so completely fed up with Jimmy, Holmes Motors and the piece of junk they sold us, that we told them to just keep the car. This was a big financial loss to us, since we put $1800 down, put on a new set of tires and several more minor repairs, including brakes, totaling around $1000, and the nightmare with Chattanooga. In all, we spent well over $2700 and lost eight days of work with this car, before we were even due for our first payment. After we told them to keep the car, we never heard from them again, except for a few letters demanding payment for the transmission and car note.

I have read several other reports of even more severe incidents than mine involving Jimmy, Holmes Motors and their lemon cars and shady deals. I strongly advise anyone with bad credit to NEVER buy a car from these sloppy, unprofessional crooks! And this is putting it nicely! I refuse to pay any more money to these criminals. After what I've read about them from other customers, I think we got off easy, but I agree that Holmes Motors is a bunch of liars and crooks and they should be shut down for good and thrown in jail for fraud! I hope that mine and other reports on these people will finally get some action taken against them.