Formula One Autocentres - Hemel Hempstead Reviews 

Been to the garage twice recently and the staff were friendly, helpful and professional. Quick appointment offered. I will be back when more work to my Vauxhall is required!. Thank you so much!

Went into the Hemel branch with a punctured tyre. I was served quickly and the repair was fast and high quality. The staff were also very polite and very helpful. Would highly recommend!

Fixed my flat tire within the hour, and had no charge.
Lovely people

Trust Shattered
In mid February 2023 I went online attempting to book Mot and full service plus brake fluid and coolant change as I was about to embark on a long trip in Europe.
The earliest the website would let me book this was 3rd April. I thought this was rather a long time to be fully booked but as my journey did not start till 12 April I thought this would still allow time to get any essentials fixed.
The Wednesday before the due booked date I received a call saying the local branch, Hemel Hempstead could not do the mot as they had no mot tester. I asked what arrangements had they made to get the mot done. They said they had done nothing and I should contact their customer service at the hq. This was the first of poor customer service.
I spoke to hq customer service who said the earliest the test could be arranged was Wednesday 5th April at St Albans branch. That day I had been offered some work which I now had to turn down leaving the organisers with a problem and myself losing out on earnings, which in the cost of living crisis is something I could I'll afford.
I attended the mot at St Albans which the vehicle failed on a number of items, 2 of which should have been picked up by the major service done by Hemel branch 2 days earlier. These were damaged passenger windscreen wiper and instrument warning light permanently on.
The only issue reported verbally, I got nothing in print, was that the tracking was our and tyres were wearing unevenly.
I opted not to have this work done at the time because I myself had taken off all the wheels some time earlier when the vehicle was not in use and I saw no signs of uneven wear.
4th April I took the vehicle to a kwik fit operation who did a full tracking test and reported the work quoted was not required, and the tyres were good.
So I have lost a lot of trust in formula one Hemel Hempstead.
I will give the outfit chance to respond and if necessary will be taking my case to resolver to pursue a claim through that channel.

Jay Burgess, area has offered suitable compensation for the problems encountered.

Greet service today when I had a valve on my tyre causing it to keep deflating. When I called they were busy but managed to squeeze me into the diary, took time to explain the problem and how they resolved it. Thank you

What an amazing Team at Formula One Autocentres Hemel Hempstead

Sam whom runs the team and Unit is virtually indispensable as not only does he know his business thoroughly but also knows how to speak to people

I put my SAAB in today to have an exhaust flex pipe fitted (Any one that owns a SAAB will tell you the difficulty in finding parts and getting them fitted with out paying enormous prices)

Sam organized both and has a brilliant team around him, Thomas, Kyle, Jamie
Thank goodness Jamie knew what he was doing and made it All look very easy
Thank you for Thomas and Kyle for being Ultimately outstanding
Sean Donaghy
CEO
Blackbird Channel

I have been having my vehicle as well as my wife's and daughter's vehicles serviced at the Hemel Hempstead branch for many years. On the whole the service used to be good. However that has not been the case recently.

Had my vehicle serviced on 17th March. On collecting the vehicle I specifically asked the manager who in turn asked the mechanic (who I assume performed the service) whether the engine cover had been replaced at the completion of the service. The reason I asked, as I explained to the manager, was that on a previous service at this branch the cover had not been replaced correctly. I was assured that it had so I accepted this assurance at face value.

On getting home I opened the bonnet only to find to my shock and horror that on this occasion the engine cover had been left off completely. I returned to the branch and as the manager was at lunch spoke to the assistant manager and complained of the situation. The assistant manager  spoke to the mechanic who performed the service who was completely indifferent and even threatened me stating that he had not been asked as to whether the cover had been replaced. As it happened the assistant manager managed to locate the engine cover and replaced it on the engine. The question arises that if they cannot be bothered to replace a simple engine cover, what else are they ommiting to do?

After many years of using Formula One, I find that recently (over the last year or so) the service has deteriorated significantly to the extent that I do not trust or feel confident in having a vehicle serviced by them. Therefore in future I will ignore their almost endless promotions for reductions in service/MOT price and pay a bit more for a provider that treats customer with respect, does not threaten customers when a complaint is made and provides a genuine service. I'm afraid that this experience is the straw that has broken the camels back and I will never use Formula One again for any service or any other motoring service.

Friendly people, slick service and kept costs down

Great service, and lovely staff.

I had my brake discs pads and a new wheel fitted and Thomas was very helpful explaining what I needed done and how much it would be. Putting my mind to rest. Thank you.

Always very helpful and honest, appreciate experienced opinions

Brilliant customer service and competent staff.

Booked an MOT a week ago Hemel Hempstead Branch, paid online, turned up only to be told that the MOT couldn't be done because their MOT Tester had walked out a week prior. Asked why I was not notified earlier, so I could book elsewhere, they claimed the telephone number was obviously wrong. One digit yes, but they had the internet booking details which were correct. Lots of excuses. Left with no option as unable to get appointment by the next day (MOT due day) so had to pay £45 on top to get it done outside town, before I could get my refund, as I had to call to get that returned, and conveniently they didn't answer until afternoon.

£12 extra and additional fuel costs I can ill afford, waste of time, and now totally lacking trust in this branch. It's not the first time, now several times, resulting in hundreds of pounds for mistakes they have messed up on. My patience has run out, no more excuses blaming staff, this is a terribly managed branch with little customer service.

I had a flat battery and needed a new one and decided to try Formula One: it was local and came recommended by a friend. From start to finish, I was dealt with in a friendly and professional manner. Despite the wrong battery being delivered twice, and me having to wait - we all got there in the end and I can only praise the staff working there for trying hard to source the right battery. Thank you all. Will use you chaps again.

Took my van for MOT but sadly failed on faulty hazard button and front light was not aligned, went home rather annoyed, nothing wrong with hazzard button, phoned the manager keith who was excellent he asked us to bring back the van and even fixed the light which was just loose happy now as passed, shame about the MOT guy not sure he knew what he was doing bring back colin

Terrible service asked them to do extra work on my vehicle was told by the man running it he was the only one with a licence so he didn't test drive it to hear the problem told them 4 days prior to the service it would need wipers when I got there he advised me I needed wipers never again

Had car booked in for air regas at 9 am finally got car back around 12 not happy with the long wait

On the day of my mot and service took my van in to f1 centre at 8.30 in morning and at 11.30 had a phone call they can’t do either of mot and service so took a day off work for no reason, so will be not ever going back there with van or car just not very good place

Just had the wife’s VW Tiguan at F1 Hemel for a service. Fantastic service and the chap on reception was extremely helpful and polite. Carried out 4 wheel alignment free of charge. Some F1’s have a bad rep but I was massively impressed today with the Hemel branch. Great work gents👍🏻👍🏻

Great fast service. Booked online for 2 new tyres fitted same day. Appointment within a hour. Was served my Mark who was very friendly. Was told it would be a hour and done within half hour. Great service and would recommend.