Formula One Autocentres - Erdington Reviews 

Great service from the team at Erdington this week and the receptionist always gives great advice and help. I've no reason to go elsewhere for car work.

I opted to use F1AC after following a recommendation on my Green Flag app taking me to the website "whocanfixmycar.com" with F1AC one of the best quotes for £429 so found a date and booked it in then followed up later with a call to the branch to confirm they had received the booking, which they had.

Dropped the car off and was greeted by a man who instantly had me concerned after he indicated my car was not booked in, not a good people-person to have fronting the office. Fortunately, the other chap I had previously spoken to had remembered the booking and the car was left.

Had a call during the day to say the gearbox oil had been drained and looked "really bad" and would I like the old oil putting back in or pay £79 for new.
(Honestly can't believe I was asked that question)

Went to pick up the car at the end of the day to be greeted with a bill for £558 to which I highlighted I was quoted £429 + £79 for the oil (which I was not happy about). I ended up paying the £508 not what I was quoted.

I believe the gearbox oil doesn't need to be changed for a clutch replacement but that is only what I have read, if that's the case not sure why it was drained, if not the case the cost of the oil should have been included in the quote from my experience.

Clutch felt fantastic after leaving, a huge improvement.

The following morning on my way to work I get a call from my wife to say the car has been leaking on the drive over night. I get to work look under the car to see oil dripping every 5-6 second and the subframe absolutely soaked. I had started a new job on the Monday, made them aware of the all-day Thursday appointment and I wouldn't be there.
On the Friday I then had to rush the car back over to F1AC where they would check and see what was happening.

I was sat in the waiting room for about 3 hours to then be informed the part was available but had to be delivered/collected from Tamworth and wouldn't be there until 16:30.

I chose to get a taxi home and ride my bicycle back.
Upon leaving in the car I noticed the auto start-stop led was permanently illuminated followed shortly after by another engine led illuminating. I went back in and the guys connected to the car computer and turned the engine led off but I am now stuck with the auto start-stop led permanently on.

I have always been reluctant where to take my car for repairs as I have serious trust issues and am always suspect of a job being carried out correctly, professionally and have never found a garage that has instilled the trust I need.

Really bad experience, felt I was over charged and wont feel confident to take my car there again.

UPDATE-30/06/2023
Follow up call on 29/06/2023:
The area manager called. Very polite gent and expressed his apologies. Has said I will be refunded for the oil, however, am awaiting on an email before this happens.

The manager is extremely rude at the erdington branch and talks to females completely different to how he talks to men, had a mot done and he advised its not legal to drive the car without having the repair done however we said we would talk it to another garage as the part he said was worn had only been changed 2 weeks prior, the garage a few doors down was extremely helpful and advised me the part they said was worn looked brand new with nothing wrong.
They also didn't Inform me the level of danger driving the car could cause and only advised it was not legal however a bolt for the steering was just about hanging on and could of caused serious injury if it had come off had i known this I would never of drove the car.
Rang the manager to discuss and he spoke down to me and dismissed everything I was trying to say.
My boyfriend went into the office he then said he the quote was 212 but he quoted me 289
He also told me if the work was done elsewhere they would not retest the car for the mot.
Awful customer service rude manager avoid

Disappointing to say the least!
I called to see if they could have a look at my car as the ASB light had shown on my dash board and the brake light warning light, they did a diagnostic check £45, this literally took less than 2 minutes! My brake lights were working but the drivers side was a bit dimmer, he took it all apart and said it needed new casing, he put it back together, I now have no rear drivers side brake light or indicator. He ordered a wiring repair kit, bulb holder and ABS sensor, he said I would have to go to Lookers Holford Drive and pay a deposit for the parts?? He quickly reeled off prices and I asked about the labour, £80 per hour!!!!!! I paid the £45 in cash for the check they did with an Ipad. Went to get in my car and the mechanic had left the key in with the lights on - my battery was flat!!!! I have an MOT booked in there, it's safe to say I won't be using this garage, I have had a second opinion and was being ripped off.

UPDATE:
Fortunately I got some acumen and figured out direct email to regional manager. Received an apology for his teams behaviour, offered refund for the "alignment" and also some vouchers for services with them. Went over and beyond what I expected so complaint successfully resolved.

Had my suspension arms and wheel alignment "done" at the Erdington branch. The suspension arms were changed, as they have used parts that I supplied, but the alignment they have allegedly done.. I say allegedly as 5 days later I went for wheel alignment check and all 4 wheels were off and one of the camber bolts used to adjust wheel alignment was loose! Had to have it all fixed at the garage that checked it, went back to Erdington branch to request a refund and got called a liar and that basically i can do one now if I had someone else do the job they were meant to do. (I have also done an aircon re-gas before and am now suspecting they have not done that properly). I will now go through the customer service channels and escalate my complaint. Might come back later to update my review depending on the finale..

Normally I rate my Local Erdington Formula 1 as excellent. The price for a service and MOT is very good value.
However on this occasion I felt ripped off. Their labour costs for attending to faults are super high and also they aren't the best at keeping in touch.
A fault was found that they spotted during the service. They advised they would be in touch. In the end I called them, and was assured they would get back in touch within an hour. Waited 2nrs and then I called. Only to be told they will get in touch. No call so I'd tried a third time. On this occasion I was advised that the costs for fitting an intercooler was around £360. After a little haggling the came down to £326. Note I'd already paid around £360 for replacing suspension arm struts in order to pass my MOT. I decided to check elsewhere.
An alternative local garage quoted £270 without haggling. The part came to £130 and 2.5 hrs Labour around £60p/h.
Assuming F1 with their vast buying power got the part for the same, their Labour rate works out around £78 p/h. When I asked about the price promise on the Web site, they said that dis not apply to garage work.

Had two tyres fitted to a Mazda 3 and tracking done at the Erdington branch very pleased with the service guys done a excellent job with the tracking very professional and friendly staff

Easy to book online. I turned up 1/2 an hour earlier than my time slot but the staff member fitted 2 tyres straight away. Great service great staff at erdington Birmingham depot