Formula One Autocentres - Brentwood Reviews 

Booked a mot here to find out when I arrive it had been cancelled without them letting me know as the mot inspector never turn up for work. So they re-booked me in for another day for the same thing to happen, no mot, no call to let me know. No customer service there response was do you want to re-book or a refund. Would never use again

I have been using the Brentwood branch for vehicle servicing for the past six years because of its convenient location near my home. Unfortunately, I have noticed a steady decline in service quality, and this year’s experience was by far the most disappointing.

I booked a full service, AC cleaning, and MOT online almost a month in advance. However, when I arrived on the scheduled day, I was informed that the MOT could not be carried out because the branch’s ramp could not accommodate my vehicle. While this was frustrating, I accepted the explanation, and the staff agreed to proceed with the full service and AC cleaning instead.

I dropped my vehicle off at 8:30 AM on Saturday and expected to receive an update later that day. By Saturday evening, I had not heard anything, so I tried calling the branch, but no one answered. I then waited until Sunday afternoon and still received no communication from the team.

When I eventually called the branch myself on Sunday to check the status, I was informed that they had been unable to carry out the service either, due to the same ramp compatibility issue. What made the situation particularly frustrating was that nobody contacted me on Saturday to let me know this. Had I been informed promptly, I could have collected my vehicle and avoided leaving it at the garage unnecessarily for the entire weekend.

The most disappointing aspect of this experience was not the technical limitation itself, but the complete lack of communication and customer care. I only learned that no work had been carried out because I chased for an update myself. This resulted in a wasted weekend, significant inconvenience, and a very poor customer experience.

After six years of loyalty to this branch, I expected a much higher standard of service and communication.

Amazing service as usual, and very fortunate to be my local tyre fitting centre. These guys are very helpful and ethical, as they always try to check your tyres carefully before replacing them. Of course, it is important to make an appointment and purchase appropriate tyre(s) just in case. My appointment went like clockwork and they advised that my tyre was ok and just needed valve replacement, as I thought it was a slow puncture. They have saved me hundreds of pound by not replacing the tyre purchased, so I would always go back and put aside the refunds for next time.

Scam artists will try and sell you stuff you don't need do not trust. Do not bother having an MOT here.

have booked for MOT on Saturday 14.02.2026 like 2 weeks before and got email confirmation for that..when arrived at the autocentre was told my booking was moved a day before at 10.30am( friday 13th feb),haven't received any calls or emails regarding that,no apologies or explanation for this..now i cant use the car for 1 week because of them..one of the worst autocentre in brentwood...AVOID

Had a time slot of 2pm to have four new tyres fitted at Brentwood, told to get there 15mins early, got there 1.40pm car taken into the workshop at 2pm. Had a look at 2.40pm and car is infront of the ramp, good i thought nearly done, nope 2.45 car was put on ramp to start the job, 45 minutes later job done. Left 3.30pm. Why give a time slot and not keep to it ? Told on the 21st Oct that the management team will investigate my complaint and get back to me within 72hours It’s now the 10th Nov and I’m still waiting for them to contact me. Won’t be holding my breath.

Appalling service – 3 failed appointments, zero help, and no accountability.

I had three separate appointments at this garage to get new tyres fitted, and every visit was a complete failure:

1st appointment (last Thursday): I arrived on time, only to be told they were short-staffed and couldn’t do the job. No prior notice, just turned me away.

2nd appointment (Saturday): Turned away again because I didn’t bring my own jack pads — something they never mentioned during booking! Could have told me on 1st appointment before sending me away but obviously they didn’t!

3rd appointment (Wednesday): I left my car thinking the tyres would finally be fitted.
Instead, I got a call 30 minutes later claiming the tyres weren’t suitable for my electric vehicle. I confirmed they were, but they refused to proceed.

This morning (Thursday), I called again hoping they’d make things right and fit me in — but no. No flexibility, no care, no responsibility. They refused to help and were completely dismissive.

So I gave up, went back to the garage, collected the tyres myself, and will now have to find another garage to finish the job.
The whole experience has been frustrating, time-wasting, and completely unprofessional. The staff showed no empathy, no knowledge, and no willingness to resolve anything. Avoid this place at all costs.

Booked an MOT at the Brentwood branch for 2:30pm on 19th August. I asked if my partner could bring the car at 2:45 instead and was told bluntly, “nah, he needs to be here at 2:30.” When I asked if there were other times available, the response was again just “nah.”

The attitude was dismissive, unhelpful and frankly rude. I cancelled and booked elsewhere. Poor customer service - won’t be contacting again.

Also raised it with the Customer Care Team via their contact form but never received a reply.

Booked and paid for a mot for my range rover on line. Turned up with days left before it expired.
Told that the brentwood branch doesn't have the correct equipment to test the brakes on my car and they couldn't do it.
No apology just shrugged shoulders. Why wasn't this identified at time of booking you knew what car I had then.
I have only a few days to find and book an alternative test.

I took my car into Formula One as the suspension on one side was creaking. They kept the car for an entire day and called me half an hour before closing and quoted me £1200 and said the whole suspension needed fixing both sides plus additional work. That didn’t seem right to me given how minor the creaking was so I went elsewhere and was told it was fine on the right side and it was only the left side that needed fixing. Ended up paying £340 at another garage in Brentwood and the car is good as new. Compared to the £1200 that I was quoted by formula one for work that didn’t even need doing. Wouldn’t recommend this garage at all.

This place is an absolute joke. Refuse to do any work of any kind on my classic Porsche. Delay booked in appointments so routinely I now expect it. Today's debacle is an unknown delay, but at least two days, to fit tyres I paid for and booked in last week, after they delayed my original appointment from two days ago. Didn't bother to tell me until I turned up to drop the car off. Complete disregard for customer service. Wish I could give them 0 stars.

Just attended my appointment to have 2 tyres fitted which I ordered on line last week to be told they haven’t turned up, then no sorry we have 1 but the other will not be here until after Xmas. I was sent an appointment reminder so why doesn’t somebody check so I don’t waste my time? But great news a voice from the office suggested I try “Nicks Tyres” which I did they were very helpful ordered a pair which I will be having fitted in the morning so i can get off on my journey. No prizes as to where i will be going in future. I rang up internet sales and were told my refund would be 3-5 days

Just wanted to say how lovely everyone was as formula one Brentwood especially mel they all made me feel so comfortable and at ease I would definitely recommend and will definitely be back thank you xxx

I am using this garage for more than 10 years for my two cars, one in Woodford branch and the last 5 years in Brentwood branch for my BMW and Mercedes but this time rest of the things like MOT and Full service was done fine, but I requested Adam the Manager to check the battery as I know it needs replacement as it was showing message in my mercedes car the battery is critically very low, despite leavng the car at 8:30 am on dot in the garage I never got a call for the battery status until I phoned up around 4:00 pm and asked and they didn't got the battery price for the like for like battery of VARTA then during the call I was quoted a figure of £570 which includes VARTA AGM Battery+VAT of £90 and fitting for £60 which I said is way too high as compared to other garages are charging only £30 for fitting. The disussion ended up that the supplier is giving a 5 year warranty on the battery , as when I got to collect the car the paperwork does not mention the 5 year warranty of the battery and the battery serial / model number for which I have argument as you charged price for 5 year warranty for this battery and are not giving me a written proof of evidence for me which they did not do for which I am being conned by this garage behaviour . even other garages shows the VARTA AGM compatible battery with a £230 to £375 price range with fitting included with a 4 years warranty. The problem I faced was if I don't change the battery from formula1 brentwood on that day, so I won't be able to use my vehicle after I reach home because the old battery wont start as it was just jump started. The garage this time has let me down on this high pricing of the battery issue which I am not happy with. Maybe they will loose a genuine customer next year.

Mel & Alex couldn’t be more accommodating! I had a flat tyre and was panicking as I was on my lunch break. In less than 20mins Alex had my car had fitted my new tyre! Both were so friendly, and poor Alex was also due to go on his lunch break! Can’t thank them both enough for fitting me in straight away!! I have been to this garage before and each time the customer service is second to none! Thank you again for all of your help!

We've had such trouble from another garage trying to rip us off and we came here and they were absolutely brilliant. Mel especially at the front desk, so helpful and understanding and did everything she could to help us out. Mechanics were brilliant as well. Could not recommend enough.

Lovely staff and really helpful would highly recommend
5 star

Everyone was welcoming and friendly. I only went in for some advice as my exhaust hadn’t been fitted properly elsewhere. They were more than happy to have a look and assist me with a decision to ensure I could pass my MOT. In the end they showed me the problem and fixed it at an amazingly cheap prices. Definitely recommend and will be going back again.

Awful company and the lady on the front desk is an absolute disgrace for a customer facing role.

Ordered through the ASDA website, which she said was our problem,

Would not look to see if tyre had arrived, and would not fit tyre on the day, despite just opening and only 1 person in front of me. I left the rim and number to contact me which they never did.
Returned the next day 28 hours later and the tyre and rim had not been touched. Kept questioning whether I had paid despite the paperwork showing I had. Finally they also did not replace the central hub cap which meant i had to go in again to collect. 3 visits in total ... Awful Awful, Awful ... avoid.

Avoid at all costs ... really poor company

I booked online to have my car MOT a week in advance. I arrived ahead of the allotted time to be told that the car was too big for the ramp - it’s a Porsche Macan - so not an oversized car. I asked why this was not pointed out during the booking process and they said if you book on line there is nothing they can do. This is obviously not the case as they have the registration number and therefore the model of the car. Disgraceful