Formula One Autocentres - Harlow Reviews 

MOT for my BMW.

Had a call from a Director at F1 and chatted through the client experience which was appreciated.

Pulled by on the off chance as my 12v sockets weren't working - Staff were more than welcoming and happy to assist. Issue was solved in a prompt time frame, would recommend!

I had a worst experience ever in any service within the UK with Formula One Autocentres (Harlow)! I booked an appointment for an interim service, when I came to collect the car on the agreed time - nothing was even started, the car was on the same place where I left it earlier, I decided to stay there and wait until they finish all the work and that helped me to become a witness of what the mechanics really do with the client's vehicles while they away and don't see it. In my case they just needed to replace the engine oil and filter, I was staying nearby, not in the garage itself, but they have kind of open space, so even standing outside you can see what they're doing (that's why they always asking to go away and come when they finish), and I saw how they do their "job", they ripped off the air box/intake and then were not able to put it back, with all the wires and pipes placed in not their proper places (I fixed it myself later, at home). They sit in my car in the dirty oiled and stinky uniforms with no cover or protection, I have luxury leather package worth of more than 38k, they did not even offer to clean or wash after themself, when I asked why? - they said - you can always wash it yourself if you don't like. A lot of screws on the ground, everywhere on the territory of the workplace, and I've got a tyre pucture (noticed when returned home). When I've pointed them out on all of these issues - they blamed me in kind of a lie and did not even apologies.

The technicians and the Manager at the Harlow site failed to interpret the provision of the MOT manual on trailer electrical sockets. They insisted I had to remove or render tow ball attachment bracket inoperable even after the trailer electrical socket had been physical removed and the wiring made electrically safe and terminated under the panels!

I had my MOT booked in for today at the Harlow Branch. The garage was recommended to me by a friend, we usually use another garage but decided to give this garage a try. Never again will I be returning here! I should have just stuck to what I knew. Please bear in mind that I never leave reviews for anything but for this I was so upset when I got home, I just had to write a review. My MOT was prebooked, I was a few minutes late due to horrendous traffic in Harlow at the moment. I hold my hands up, yes, I shouldn't have been late to my appointment, but this just was out on my hands as I say this was a few minutes past my appointment time. I then went into the booking office and stood there for a good 5/6 minutes or so before someone even acknowledged me let alone served me. Everyone was standing around chatting to which a queue had built up behind me. By the time I was served I was told I was too late and the MOT couldn't be done today, I apologised for being late but explained I had been standing there for some time waiting. The staff member was very sherty and short with me and offered an alternative time, after some thought I decided I wasn't happy and wanted to cancel my next appointment. I then explained to the staff member that I wanted to cancel my next appointment and said how disappointed I was as this was my first time using them and I had been standing there for some time. The staff member then proceeded to ask me how long I had been standing there, I told him and he then said no you wasn't I saw you standing there for 1 minute and began getting into an argument with me, please tell me this. If you saw me standing there for 1 minute, why ask me how long I was there in the first place. I told the staff member I'm not a liar and If I had been there 1 minute, why had a queue built behind me! There is just no need for rudeness! I accept I was late, what I don't accept is rudeness and for the staff member to have the audacity to argue with me and basically call me a liar, absolutely disgusting so glad I didn't keep my car booked in here!!

Update: Tuesday 11th June 2024
One of the directors investigated and explained it was actually due to the weight distribution due to the Wheelchair Adaption that the car could not be serviced, not the height.

Not sure why it was communicated to me that it was a height issue.

Unusual to be so proactively resolved by a car garage chain, so that requires an improvement in my estimation of Formula One Autocentres. I have changed the rating accordingly!

Communication within the branch and to the customer is still lacking. And the episode inconvenienced me considerably!

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Car was booked in for a full service bad MOT and delivered at 8.30am.

The branch called and asked if the car could be revved for the MOT as the oil light was flashing later that morning.

At 4.50 pm the branch called to say that they car was too high to put on the ramp, so part of the service couldn't be done.

When I went to the branch it was after 5pm.

I was informed they the car passed the MOT but had not been serviced!

I was told I had to do the administration for a refund of the service that has been paid in full.

I returned home and discovered I could not speak to customer service over the weekend.

The garage called me on Saturday the following day as they hadn't replaced my wheel nuts in the car.

I had to return to the branch to retrieve them.

My oil light is still flashing and my car is in serviced and I have to wait 3 to 5 days to get my money retuebed.

If there are height restrictions why are these not specified at the time of booking or at the time I delivered the vehicle?

Ewen was amazing! Very quick, very efficient MOT! All the guys are very nice and very polite every visit

Booked for 2 new Tyres and Tracking.
After having some problems with cars before me which delayed work on my car, these issues were quickly resolved.

Fantastic service! I ended up with an unexpected flat tyre on the morning I was scheduled to travel. I was advised to go to Formula one Autocentre in Harlow but another mechanic who didn't have the right tyre in for my car and the guys who sorted me out at Formula one were quick, efficient and polite and my car tyre was fixed and fitted all within 30 mins which meant I didn't have to change my plans or disturb my prior arrangements. I would highly recommend and I would use their services again without question. Thank you!

Formula One Harlow were SO helpful, looked over a car we were looking to buy. They were honest and we felt reassured by their expertise. We will go back and use them for any services etc ...Thanks lads

I had very horrible experience with Harlow centre. I gave them my car for full service and MOT to save some time and money. My mot was due in may end week. They just failed my MOT without calling me and told me over the phone the bill will be a couple of thousand pounds to pass the MOT and i so shocked i was middle of the work and moved straight to their garage.

They are doing malware practice and abusing the system to take money from the customers.

What is the funniest part, they didn't actually list the real problem because they didn't check properly, their full focus was to take money out of me with the name of DVSA & MOT. They were asking me to change parts which were not damaged (my headlights) and saying it is damaged because i show willingness to change my lights early morning.

The garage manager david provoke to the another person dont fix the thing which i asked. They are directly and indirectly putting me pressure and asking to make a deal so i will read to pay.

They are indirectly threatening so i can agree to fix and ready to pay.

I doubt they did my full service because when i reached they told service is done but i saw coolent was not topup so then how can the service done.

I am just taking legal opinion to understand my rights about this matter and want to go with legal route for this harassment and discrimination (yes, but don't want to explain here).

I can't write everything here but big no to use this centre because they want MOT fail and put in the system to give you extra pressure for unnecessary things which works fine.

They way they explain/talk you will understand tone of the voice they want you to robe by pressuring you, they will put all jargon in their dictionary like DVSA, insurance, safety, danger etc etc. thank god i got advice from friend and able to get out of that centre.

I will not go to that centre again in my dreams too due to centre head. I wish someone will take any action on him. I will try to reach company management for this issue so my this action may save people in future. They were so arrogant and fearless because they are abusing the system day and night.

I am going to find a way to file a complaint against them in DVSA for malware practice in MOT, I collected evidence to report it.

Excellent garage would highly recommend to anyone. Very efficient, friendly and so helpful

Been going to the Harlow branch for many years as we always had great service until now. The new person called Jake in reception needs to be sacked his attitude towards customers is disgraceful. Everything was an effort and I observed him speak to more than one customer as well as ourselves with attitude. I won’t be going back again!

Great initial phone call and consultation took car in for exhaust good diagnostic traced parts good communication at all stages provided quote for work and when doing the repairs managed to save some expense. Great team great work great customer service.

Excellent service - efficient work and helpful staff

Everything was carried out quickly and efficiently.

Had a great experience at the Harlow branch, Service with a smile, and a great team putting the customers needs first, will be my go to from now on.

It can be a nightmare having to take your car to a mechanic, but today was not. The team at Harlow were polite and courteous and got me all sorted out. Would deffo recommend.

Advised me of things needing doing & price.

Very happy with my service I had a flat tyre and the guys really helped me out without charging me they help put my spare tyre on as I had no tools to do it myself