Formula One Autocentres - Burton Reviews 

We visited F1 in Burton on Trent for full air conditioning re-gas and purification. As part of the process the website says: “ Our fully trained technicians will take a temperature reading from your air conditioning system. Once all the old refrigerant gas, oil and dye have been removed, the whole system is cleaned and any moisture inside is removed. Once the system has been thoroughly cleansed our technicians will inject new oil, dye and refrigerant gas and take a temperature reading again to ensure that the Re-Gas has made a difference to the cold air temperature. Our process will ensure that your air conditioning system is working to its full potential. However, if our technicians find that the Re-Gas has had no impact on the air conditioning temperature then the service will be FREE of charge.”
Our car did not respond and get cold but we were told it was fine and would get cold eventually. When it didn’t we took it to an air conditioning diagnosis centre in Derby where they found a massive leak on the sensor and several holes in the condenser. The gas F1 put in would have escaped immediately under pressure. I have videos of the leak under pressure and yet F1 did not spot this and continued with the re-gas. £550 later my aircon is now fixed and working beautifully but no thanks to F1. When we went back to them they refused a refund for the re-gas because we drove away even though they said they thought it would be ok. We have used F1 for several years and they have always been good. However, we felt this time their attention to us the customer had changed significantly and we won’t be returning or recommending them to others.
So now we have received a reply this is the only place to reply to the stock answer sent. I would like a refund for my regas which clearly escaped immediately and left me paying for thin air!

I had my car service and MOT done at the Burton-on-Trent centre and the experience was very disappointing. The staff were rude and not customer‑friendly. They told me repairs were needed and gave me a price including VAT, which I approved, but later I found they had fitted a very cheap tyre.

Two days after the service, my engine oil started leaking. When I took the car back, they didn’t even check it and told me to return the next day. Customer service then asked me to go to another garage just to check the oil level before driving back—very inconvenient and unsafe.

When I asked about the tyre brand, they said they didn’t have any stock, which was even more worrying. Both issues involved safety, and the team showed no responsibility or urgency.

I do not recommend this centre. Please use another local garage.

AVOID! Incompetent mechanics and predatory tactics (Burton Branch)
Rating: 1/5 stars
Review:
I strongly advise against using Formula One Autocentres in Burton. My experience was a textbook example of how to trap a customer.
1. Incompetence: They fitted brand new brake discs and pads onto seized calipers. Any competent mechanic knows you cannot do this. It’s dangerous and a waste of parts.
2. Predatory Tactics: They waited until Saturday afternoon (just before closing) to tell me about "extra work" costing over £700, knowing my MOT had expired and I couldn't take the car elsewhere.
3. Ghosting: When I complained to the Regional Manager (Richard B.) about the poor workmanship and asked for a partial refund, he initially replied with irony and then stopped responding altogether once I provided technical arguments.

First class service from John and the team, managed to get my MOT booked at late notice. Trustworthy and knowledgeable staff. 10/10

Just been to Burton-on-Trent branch and, as usual, brilliant!
Great service, excellent, friendly, helpful staff. Always seem to be busy but they still make time to talk to customers. Reasonable prices. :)

Took my car in for an MOT and service on 12th September 2025. Was told I needed new tyres, brakes, wipers, and an oil change (£650). After collecting it, the oil warning light came on and the engine sounded louder.

Went back twice, was first told it was overfilled, then that the noise was “just the brakes bedding in.” The issue kept coming back, and after calling the RAC twice, another garage confirmed a defective oil filter had been fitted, causing low oil pressure.

After making a formal complaint to the regional manager, he stated that on third party intervention he was not in a position to uphold my complaint. The replies sounded like chat gpt responses and also from a help desk email.

I had no other choice but to seek advice elsewhere, as on return to them, they had no resolution.

The whole experience was stressful, time-consuming, and could have caused serious engine damage. Really disappointed with the level of care and attention from this branch. I hope they improve their quality checks so others don’t go through the same thing.

A complete letdown. Poor workmanship, poor checks, and no real accountability. Would not reccomend or trust this branch again.

I can’t review this company less than 1 star, as it won’t allow me, took my car for MOT on Friday 12/09/25 failed miserably according to the monkeys that done it, 1st off they said had bulge in front near side ?, do not drive ! Which it hasn’t as photos to prove, but willing to sell me tyre @ £120, 2nd off near side lamp not working? Which it is, photos to prove, the drl is not working but as it’s pre 2018 it’s not an MOT failure, 3rd chip in windscreen which has been there for 5 years & does not obscure drivers vision brake discs that have another year or so on them, absolute idiots & company should ashamed of themselves, this will be forwarded to all motoring companies etc, please email me for proof of the car’s condition & I will gladly reply, it has been forwarded to dvsa to investigate this place, the so called place is f1 auto centres, burton road burton upon Trent, de142wf.

Very Poor. Booked in for a cambelt. Burton on Trent branch. Had to wait over a week, but that's fine. Two days before I was due to go in, they phoned me to say they hadn't got the part. Its a seven year old Fiat, not a Ferrari. Wouldn't let me re-book. Said they would call me. Waited over a week. Heard nothing. Booked it in elsewhere. Total time wasters.

I booked in for a re-gas of my air conditioning at the Burton centre. I was offered a quick appointment. The staff were very friendly and helpful. They carried out the work as I waited taking less then 40 minutes. I would definitely recommend taking your car to this garage, I will definitely be returning and using them for other services. Thanks again Michelle Edwards

Always get good service from the lads at the burton branch I take all my MOT and tyre problems to them and they look after me , top lads there always happy to help .definitely recommend them all day long 👍👌

Great assistance and attention. friendly staff, quick and efficient arrived 15 minutes before appointment no waiting, the mechanic got on with the job straight away. I would recommend and will use again.

Took my car for a full service, received a call saying there was 10 things wrong with it and it would cost me over 800 pounds to fix, a week later I took my car for an mot at a garage I've been going to for 5 years and it passed the mot with no advisories, it's a disgrace that they are allowed to get away with this,how many other people are they going to intimidate.

Popped into the Burton on Trent site and a lovely young man called Charlie assisted me straight away even though he was busy. He inflated all my tyres for me, was professional and a delight. The rest of the team were v busy but all v pleasant. Thank you. Would definitely recommend.

Again John and his team looked after me and my campervan, new shocks, tyre and service all done within the day for a fair price and to excellent standards, I won’t go anywhere else

Can only go by my experience but very happy, car booked in for an MOT it did pass which helps but the price was very good and the staff were very polite. So yes I would use them again.

Had never seen this tyre centre before finding it on the internet. Purchasing the tyres I required was a simple process as was arranging to book a time and date for the tyres to be fitted. Only downside was whilst waiting there were no drink facilities

I Recently had my car serviced, they gave me a good price, had great communication and did the job bang on time, will definitely be using them again, thanks go to john 👍

Awesome service from these guys today. Called in to check a tyre and they repaired it straightaway for me. Super friendly and helpful will definitely go back.

Fabulous service as always. Used this garage for over 10 years with a variety of cars & they're great every time. John & the team always make you feel welcome, nothing is too much trouble, everything is explained and prices are very good. Won't take my cars anywhere else. Thanks for the new tyres & realignment guys.

We have used Formula 1 in Burton on Trent for a number of jobs on our cars, we have a few. John and Jacob are so helpful and offer their advice which is always welcomed. The friendly welcome is great too...

Would highly recommend...