Guide · Trust
Financial adviser reviews: what should you trust?
Reviews can tell you about service experience. They cannot prove that an adviser is regulated, suitable for your problem or good value for your circumstances.
What can reviews tell you?
Patterns in communication, responsiveness, clarity and client experience can be useful. Reviews are strongest when they describe specific service experiences rather than simply saying an adviser was 'great'.
What can reviews not prove?
RegulationCheck the FCA record separately.
Specialist fitA happy retirement client does not prove expertise in business exits or defined benefit pensions.
ValueSomeone else's fee and circumstances may be completely different from yours.
Future outcomesPast satisfaction cannot guarantee investment or planning results.
Look for patterns, not one dramatic review
A single glowing or angry review can be unrepresentative. Look for repeated themes, dates, detail and whether the firm's own claims match independent regulatory information.
Use reviews after the basic checks
Start with the adviser or firm's regulatory status, then compare specialism, normal client type, fees and service. Reviews are supporting evidence, not the foundation.
Sources & further reading