Formula One Autocentre, Maidstone

INever again !!!

My first booking with them today. Booking made over 2 weeks ago. Turned up in the morning to find out my tyres were not there. I mean they were there but superbly qualified staff gave one of them away to somebody else so they wanted to fit 2 different spec of tyres in my car. I said no way and guess what- no apology, no alternative offer. Nothing. Requested a full refund and left. In the meantime called another garage and they were nice to accommodate me without prior booking. Went there and guess what - the wheel security was not returned to me. The genuis mechanic at f1 put it in his pocket. I have not been soo embarrassed in my life. Drove back to f1 and the “manager” had it on his desk. I told him the service was appalling but yet again- long face, no mimics, no apology whatsoever. They must be rich to afford loosing new customers and reputation.

Will never book them again !!!!

I took my car in for an MOT and it was failed over the windcreen wiper spray jet and suspention issues. The car drives fine but I had them fix the issues and was asured it would pass. When picking up the car after 2 days because they ordered the wrong parts and they had no staff it failed again. I had to clean the windscreen spay system, I took it back again and it failed again, they suposedly fix the issue and I had to pay for another MOT.

Do not take your car to this place.

Avoid this place. The must have seen me coming.

Took my car in and they failed my MOT on many things. One being coils. I was told they were corroding.

There were many other issues apparently which totalled over £1000.

I was not happy so got a second opinion. The other garage (a small business) was honest with me. The coils all has stickers still on them so there was zero corrosion at all. Many of the other things should not have been on there such as an issue with my handbrake.

Pretty sure if I had been male they would not have tried this appalling behaviour with me but I can say for sure that I will NEVER use this place again.

They then had the cheek to call me to find out when I was taking my car back into get re tested!!!! Then when I said I wasn't going to he actually said "yep knew it, we had bets on it here that would happen"......SHOCKING CUSTOMER SERVICE.

STAY CLEAR PEOPLE, USE SMALL BUSINESSES.

Avoid this garage. They try to charge me for breake clippers £250ech clipper.

In euro car parts the same part cost £118 before discount but normally euro car parts offer 30-50% discount. I paid for mine one £82 whi is 3 times cheeper than price from formula1.

Never back to them again.

Took my car in for a service. I was told several times that due to tyre damage I could be fine if stop by the police. But luckily ignore them. I'm now getting my tyres done somewhere else (they were still between the legal limit) for around £200 less than quote from them.

Just found out the have broken the air box and didn't even bothered to tell me.

Never again.

Booked my MOT on line chose the date and time suitable for me and then paid. I received reminders on my phone so I did not forget. I dropped my car off and then returned when advised. The staff are friendly helpful and I felt I was being treated well as a customer. Have used this branch for many years.

Took car for MOT

Needed shocks and pads.

Told me shocks were dangerous and car should not be moved. The made it sound as if they were as rare as hens teeth but they got them by special order. Bill of over £1100.

On investigation I find they overcharged by £120 per shock absorber.

Customer services needed written quote to price match. Parts suppliers cannot do this and after weeks of arguing Formula 1 would not help..... Go anywhere else.... Not here

I took my BMW there for the brakes to be done, as they has been grinding. The gave me a quote of nearly £1000!! for front and back brakes that they said needed doing! I then took it somewhere else to see if they were any cheaper, and they quoted me £184 - and said that the front brakes didn't even need doing, they were fine! So Formula 1 would have happily charged me £800 more than I needed to spend. Probably because I'm just a useless woman who knows nothing about mechanics - I'm so glad I got a second quote! Steer clear of these if you value your money.

I have used Formula 1 Maidstone a couple of times for tyres and have been pleased with the service and reasonable prices. With this in mind I thought I would try an MOT and small service. I have owned my car from new and had it regularly serviced. Never had any problem as I look after my car. Car passed the MOT but advisory note was that I needed front brake pads, discs and wheel alignment. I was not surprised to learn that I needed brake pads but definitely not discs nor wheel alignment. I took the car away for a second opinion. To my amazement I was told by 2 independent garages that I do not need brake discs, pads can be replaced but still got mileage. As for wheel alignment, I doubt if I need that as not long had 2 new tyres and it drives ok. I went back to Maidstone branch to ask for pads to be fitted only. The arrogant chap who may have been the manager refused to fit just pads!! I told him that I have had the car checked and I don’t need discs. He tried to convince me that the discs are below the minimum requirement, rubbish, 2 independent garages can’t be wrong!! After reading the other reviews I find that some have experienced the same unnecessary repair work as I have encountered. I have since had the pads fitted by another garage with minimal cost to what Formula 1 wanted to charge me. Beware, as they offer low price MOT and servicing there is a catch as they will find fault and try to convince you that you need unnecessary repairs done.  I will never step foot in any of the Formula 1 garages so they have lost a customer. Let’s hope one day they will get what they deserve and be out of business.

went for 2 new tyres was told 45 minute wait, 2 hours later still no tyres fitted so left very disappointed.