Formula One Autocentres - Chester Reviews 73

MOT and service booked. Received a call to cancel, so rebooked. Then got a call to cancel that one, citing the technician was "messing them around". I was giving them a second chance as this happened last year too. The Chester branch used to be great but their service standards have plummeted in the last 18 months. We'll be going elsewhere now.

One word… terrible, literally in every way.

I ordered my tyres on Tyreleader. Prior to placing the order I contacted F1 auto centres to obtain a price for fitting. I was quoted nearly £100 for 4 tyres which I thought was a little steep. However after ending the call I was contacted back a short time later stating they had got the price wrong and it was £60 for four tyres. I agreed to this more reasonable price. I ordered my tyres to be delivered to F1

Once I placed my order I contacted F1 back to let them know and provide my contact details for when they arrived. I was told no details needed to be taken as they would all be on the system when the tyres arrived. No one took my number.

After placing my order my tyres were delivered a couple of days later to F1. I know this as I had a tracking number from Tyre leader. No one from F1 contacted me whatsoever.

I contacted F1 a couple of days later to confirm the tyres had arrived. I was told they had but they couldn’t contact me as they didn’t have my number (facepalm) anyhow. I was advised there was space at 3pm that afternoon to have my tyres fitted. Which I agreed to.

I arrived at the garage at 3pm and it was quite busy. I was told to hang fire outside in the car and I would be on for fitting shortly. After sitting in the car for around 2 hours. I was then told there wasn’t enough time to fit my tyres that day and would have to come back tomorrow. I was offered half price fitting for the inconvenience of hanging around/having to make a second trip

I attended the following morning at 9am for fitting as asked by the staff the previous day. I then sat there for another hour until 10am and the tyres were fitted. This took around an hour.

Then…. I got to the till to pay for the tyres. £60 quoted. Half price fitting for the previous days inconvenience. Should be £30. Manager states it’s £90 odd quid for fitting. I explain all of the above. Manager huffs and puffs and says best price he can do is the original £60. He won’t go any cheaper. Staff from the previous day have to come to my assistance regarding the price. There’s then a heated debate amongst staff about what I’m paying and whose wages the difference is coming out of. After 30 mins of going round the houses between staff/the computer. I pay my £30 and off I go.

Over 4 hours in total to fit four tyres along with two trips to F1 auto centres.

The waiting area is dirty to say the least. Ripped chairs, TV with no signal. Bin full of rubbish and flies. Toilet disgusting, dirt all down the walls. Place is falling apart. Dread to think the last time any of it was cleaned.

Ultimately my tyres are fitted and balanced. No issues there.

I will never use F1 again due to all of the other issues. Use your local Indy garage. Don’t be drawn in by so called cheap prices. It will cost you more in the long run.

1/10 service and that’s being generous.

I booked in for an MOT and Service. They do seem "find" work more then they used to, as I've using formula 1 for at least 7 years. When I collected the car the service indicator had not been reset and there was a loud rattle from under the car that was not present before dropping off at the centre. I returned and the service indicator was reset & I was told the engine shield was secured; I later did this properly. Two days later the exhaust fell off. This suggests the exhaust was either not inspected or was given a good shake which loosened the brackets. Either way it should have been obvious to a trained mechanic.

Chester team @formula 1 auto centre
The worst customer service I've ever experienced. Being that I speak on panels and forums about customer centricity in the retail and online world. The worst experience I've ever had.

I unfortunately tell you to stay well away of this branch. I ended up walking away after 38 mins and they didn't even look at my car.

No interest / weren't busy / only interested in a drift car / another customer was made to wait for over 20 mins even though work had completed/ from the manager and all workers gathering around this drift car !!
They all need re training or got rid off as they certainly don't warrant to be working for the brand. Let's see if the brand care and Comms with me from this !!!

Doesn't even warrant a single star !! It's only because you have to give a minimum!!

Incredibly slow service. Booked for a tyre change at 10am. It took them almost 1 hour 20 minutes. Staff at 10.56 where sat in a car relaxing. Very very poor. No communication from staff. Only positive was the price but accounting for my lost time, the price wasn't great.

I came in for 2 new tires over the weekend, the staff and the manager Dave was very friendly and welcoming, My tires were changed very quickly and professionally, i will definitely be using Forumla One Autocentre again for any future work on my car.

Formula 1 Chester were brilliant today, sorted my tyre and staff were friendly and advised me very well. Definitely recommend.

Popped in today to see if i could be fitted in for a 4 wheel alignment, because i was a walk in i was assured that i was prepared to wait that i would be seen, the manager was very polite and courteous and stated that he and his team would even work over to accommodate me, they carried out my alignment but unfortunately could not make the adjustment required due to a failed part of the suspension system, there was no charge for there work today and i was provided with a documented explanation of what had failed. it was a pleasure to be seen today, professional at all times , thank you

Avoid this place took my car for MOT went to pick it up was told it had failed they had found a serious fault . Nothing on mot to explain what the issues were . After 5 days chasing them to get a explanation to what is actually wrong I'm still no further. They are just avoiding me

The team repaired a puncture they had repaired two weeks ago using an emergency patch, but which had failed. They used their regular patch today on the same hole. They also repaired another puncture (!) today. A bit of a wait but if you want it done right and you want reliability... In recognition, the team refused to take a payment, which is above and beyond. I don't use anyone else and have an MOT coming up so will be back soon.

Very hostile to me because I had bought tyres from ASDA. So, they postponed my appointment twice, pretending to be very busy and that ASDA had not notified them, I had bought tyres. It was obvious they were punishing me. But now on going through some of the negative reviews here, I am glad they did not touch my car. Avoid.

Great service! Recommended!

Earlier this week, I spent 4 days volunteering to collect Christmas trees for our local hospice - On day 1, our borrowed van wouldn’t start due to a battery issue. We got it started and headed to F1 Autocentre, Chester where Kieran advised where to get the battery from, then said to pop back and he’d find time to fit it for us.

Nipped back the next day, where Kieran and Rob fitted the battery for me straight away, and FOC to support the charity.

I use this garage already for my car due to great service, however just demonstrates what a great bunch of guys and fantastic company for them being willing and able to provide these important gestures of goodwill!

Massively grateful for you keeping us on the road in support of the hospice - Contributing to the event raising £50k this year!

Thanks again!

Booked in for new tyres, I turned up on time and was told they did not have time to fit them. Very rude and unhelpful! I have booked in somewhere else.

Was given excellent and advice at Chester F1. Rob, the branch manager, provided outstanding customer service.

Last appointment of the day at Chester branch on 30/12/24.
The guys took the time to point out the damage to a worn tyre which was being replaced and the potential consequence of that damage .
They explained the reason was down to the rear tracking and that the front tracking was also in need of remedy too. They stayed way beyond normal opening hours and showed good humour and courtesy throughout. First class service .

I have just used the services of Formula One Autocentres Chester, Bumpers Lane after incurring a puncture on Christmas Eve. There price, speed, communication and service was excellent. Ask for ROB, he took care of the order and fitting, was fantastic and genuinely seems to be enthusiastic about his work, Highly Recommended

First time I have used these guys.
Had my mot carried out, polite professional and informative service.
Highly recommend this company
Cheers

I was trying to sort out a pair of tyres for my caravan. Tried my usual tyre places and they let me down. Didn’t even have the decency to do follow up phone calls when promised.

So I decided to go elsewhere. I stumbled upon formula one Autocentres via google. Never heard of them.

Anyways went to their web page and selected tryes I required and a day to be fitted. Paid through PayPal. Nice and simple. Perfect. Or so I thought.

Half hour later I had an email saying supplier could not supply the tyres and to ring them to sort out an alternative.

So phoned up and spoke to a lovely lady who said they had alternatives that could be fitted on the day and time I had originally requested.

The tyres they said could be supplied I knew were more expensive than the ones I’d chosen as I was considering them. I asked about the difference in price and she said they’d honour the original price. Beautiful. Perfect 👌

So I turned up at the arranged time with my wheels in the boot of my car. The guys at the Chester branch only to happy to assist in helping me get them out and carrying them to workshop.

Left them with them whilst I went for a coffee. Popped back. Tyres done. Placed into boot of my car. Job done. Perfect. Thank you guys.

Highly recommended.

Will be using again.

If I could give zero I would. Had 2 front tyres fitted by the Chester branch booked online with the car put in as it’s a prerequisite of the booking, so the garage was fully aware of the car type and how low they are. When on site I asked if they could change a tyre that was on the rear as my wheels had been moved around by wheel refurbishers, they agreed. Get my car in to the garage and look at my tyres. The guy then comes in telling me in quite an angry manner he’s not going to change the other tyre around as it’s illegal and I now need to order 2 more tyres and they are refusing to do the 2 tyres I’ve already paid for online. My 2 front tyres were on the legal limit and needed changing for my own safety being a sportier car. The rear tyres have at least 3mm across the tread not illegal at all. After trying explain to the guy with him not being helpful that if he lets me leave with the car with those front tyres that is dangerous. He finally agreed to change the two tyres. After fitted the tyres he then came back in to the waiting room and announced you’ve had that car lowered it won’t go on our tracking ramp, I told him the car is standard but still told me I had lowered it, he then just gave me my keys no paper work no thank you nothing just keys and didn’t even tell me where he had parked the car.
I took the car home and very very luckily haven’t driven it till today when my father looked at my front tyres 1 wheel bolt was extremely loose and basically came out the others all loose expect the locking wheel nut on the other side the same again all loose expect the locking wheel nut. This is unbelievably dangerous and could have resulted in either an accident or something critical for myself and others around me! I have never had an issue with ATS, kwik fit or other tyre fitters but these guys are a complete joke, rude and clearly incompetent of doing their job safely.