Testimonials

Just a brief endorsement for Poplar Motors from a very satisfied customer.

I had decided to purchase a compact camper to use for short breaks and weekends away and I spotted a suitable model at Poplar Motors, Chesterfield.

By phone, the part exchange offer for my current vehicle was most favourable, and the commitment to purchase subject to mutual viewing and road tests was agreed.

In the interim I was heartened to hear that David "The proprieter" had decided to undertake some pre -sales engine work on the Toyota to alleviate a mystery water loss.

Having completed the work, the exchange was made and the van was brought home to Kent, a trip of almost 300 miles.

During the initial ownership period some small faults appeared in the habitation system, ie the diesel heater, the fridge and the internal gas piping layout.

David had offered to pay any costs to remedy all the small faults, however at the 1st attempt to sort the heater it was quite obvious this would require the diagnostic skills of an automotive electrician and it was mutually decided to deliver the van back to David for his attention.

This required coordinating our activities to meet at a half way point at Northampton.

David took the van back to his premises at Chesterfield where he could apply the necessary skills in a cost affective manner.

All faults were cured and the exchange of vehicles was again accomplished at Northampton.

Poplar Motors exceeded their obligations on their warranty and no costs were incured by myself to rectify these small faults, in fact David had also serviced the air conditioning system which got overlooked at delivery mostly because it was mid winter.

I would have no hesitation in recommending Poplar Motors (David) to any prospective purchaser looking for outstanding sales, service, and customer care in the acquisition of a camper van or any other vehicle.

Tim Curtis, purchaser of Toyota Townace A M craft European Compact Camper

We considered Japanese imports and researched Mazda Bongos and Toyota Hiaces because UK compact campers available from dealers for our £10,000 budget had high mileages and were in less than attractive condition externally. Newly converted Bongo's did have brand new interior fittings and some had the sportier turbo diesel engines, but the beds were not big. Poplar Motors™ Hiaces offered the big non-turbo diesels which I like, a large bed and a good amount of interior space.

A visit to Poplar Motors on the web and then in person got us a warm welcome by David and Debra and a chance to look at a small selection of Hiaces on the forecourt to assess layout and condition. Having been converted at some time in the past for their earlier Japanese owners, the interior specification, layout and condition varied from vehicle to vehicle. We didn't find exactly the layout we wanted on our first visit but we told David what we were after and he promised to keep us posted on what he was bringing in over the next few months. He later came up trumps with a 54,000 mile Hiace in excellent external condition. The interior was almost right and David and Debra made a couple of modifications to bring it to our requirements. We had our vehicle, to specification on time and on budget.

We have since chosen to replace the original carpet with carpet tiles and to effect some other small cosmetic refinements to the interior to our own taste, and we are delighted with the vehicle. Our Hiace offers more convenient space (and a bigger bed) than a Bongo, was cheaper, and its 2.8 litre non-turbo diesel more than holds its own on the motorway. Our advice is that you work out what you want from a vehicle, let David and Debra know, and give them time to find one that meets your specification, or is close enough that they might modify one to your requirement. Their prices are competitive, they know their business and they give you a genuinely good service.

Andy and Jan

January 2007