Formula One Autocentres - Kettering Reviews 

I have been going to my local F1 Autocentre for a number of years now for MOTs and I can’t fault them. Always a quick in and out!

Called to see if they can diagnose issue with my Volvo XC40 and advised yes so booked in. Arrived and asked to wait.
When called back out to service desk advised that they cant read all the issues as their device doesn't read all Volvo faults! Then advised that they have another device but that it is not working! Not only did they waste my time but they then had the audacity to charge me £47.50!!!

Charged even though they were unable to diagnose the issue and in effect, for doing nothing!!!

Poor customer service and lack of knowledge!

Sitting in kettering branch as I write been sat here nigh on 3 hours second time to try get 4 new tyres staff very polite phone ignored all day who ever owns this garage must have to much money I was told 1 hour I'm still here 3 hours later won't bother again came Saturday aswell after booking for 12 o'clock told me no staff come back Monday I'm still here avoid avoid avoid

ok in my opinion 1star is too good.this branch is a complete joke.Booked on a thurs to have new tyre fitted on saturday through blackcircles.Recieved a email on the friday before fitting from black circles stating that formula 1 has asked me to reschedule appointment.no explanation but i did so,earliest i could get was the following tues.Arrived on the tues only to be told they were too busy but they could definetly do it the following day.I asked wether my tyre had been delivered & they told me it would be in ltr that day.so that means they never had the tyre on previous sat anyway.Arrived at the garage 10 mins b4 they were due to open only to find 2 employees waiting outside with 4 customers.I waited a hour 4 a key holder to open up but to no avail.employees were frantically ringing everyone trying to gain access so they could start work,but again to no avail.They were even saying they had had enough of the place.Must have been very embarrassing for them.Lots of unhappy customers waiting outside in the cold.I refused to go back & booked elsewhere.AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE!!!!!…also on the tues i received a reminder from black circles at 08.10am,when i arrived at the branch at 08.30 ish i was also told by the receptionist that she had tried to call to cancel.complete lie!!!!i received no call & no voicemail!!!!!!

Bought & had 2 new tyres fitted Saturday. Sunday morning both completely flat as not sealed properly. Long drive ahead (300) miles on the Sunday, so re-inflated tyres & went back soon as they opened. Completely disinterested, “due to staffing soonest we can see you back in is Monday”. “No good, as I’m 300 miles away!” “Ok, maybe see if you can book in there then!!”
Previously had issues with them, which I let ride as bad luck / unfortunate! But that’s the last time they’ll see me as a customer. Really disappointing!!!

I had a slow puncture, spotted late on a Saturday afternoon. I called F1 and although they couldn't fit me in on the Sat they booked me in for Sunday. (I was amazed they were open on Sundays!) They were clearly very busy, but cheerful and hardworking, they sorted my puncture and sent me on my way. Total stars, working on a miserable dismal day in Nov.

I booked my car for MOT weeks in advance. Got email confirmation for it. I arrived at the garage 8:30 am and it was closed,few people were waiting outside. I went in and said I had MOT booked in and the guy said I wasn't booked in. I did tell him I booked in via BOOK MY GARAGE that's when he said oh I called Book My garage to tell them I couldn't fit you in and I also left u a message to say that. I checked my voice. Messages and texts and i had nothing from him. I was not happy at all. Poor service!! That was at Formula One Autocentre Kettering!!

After having 2 tyres fitted the car vibrated when reaching 60mph, after inspection I noticed that they hadn't balanced the new tyres as the old weights were still attached to the wheels,further inspection found that one of the locking wheel nuts was missing,took the car straight back to the garage where the manager was very apologetic and had the wheels balanced and the wheel nut was eventually found by myself by the garage door.
This should not happen though as many customers might not have spotted any of these issues.

If i could give no stars i would

Booked in a service and mot for friday in plenty of time. Took in the car at 8-20 and someone turned up about 8-40 to open up. Tried to ring throughout the day to see if the car needed any work doing to it and no one picked up. Rang customer services and they couldnt get through either and emailed them to ring me back. Got to about quarter too 6 and i went down to see that the car hadnt been looked at all day and no one had rung to explain why.

Would have expected a call this morning to aort but no call and again cant get through and for a company that operates at weekends no cover for customer services is provided at weekends.

Worst experience with a garage ever and now have to wait for a refund and try and book in somewhere for an mot at very short notice.

Won't be using this company again. When I had to have a new battery, they gave me a faulty one and the car broke down. I ended up having to call a tow truck to get my car started, cost £60. I was parked right next to the F1 garage, but they refused to help even though they caused the problem. This time I had a repair and MOT. I was asked to come in at 8:30, which I did. At 4pm I decided to call to get an update, only to be told the MOT examiner was refusing to do MOT's because he deemed their equipment was unsafe. I was asked if I wanted to change the date, but they couldn't guarantee it would be done then either.

on 23rd july i took my car for an mot and service and was charged 1200 pounds-the following day i was driving and heard a grating noise coming from the front wheel.I took the car back to formula 1 again they had a quick look told me needed front wheel bearings at a further coat of 250 pounds! -I was not satisfied so went to another garage who said there is nothing wrond with the bearing probably just a loose nut -I would advise anyone not to use this garage!

I recently took my car to Formula One Auto Centre (Kettering) for a routine service, and it turned out to be a terrible decision. The next time I used my car after the service my car went into limp mode therefore I went back too the garage to get them to repair it. Instead of receiving professional care, my car was returned to me with severe damage to the front end after the car was started on a ramp whilst being left in gear causing it to shoot forwards. This experience has been frustrating and disappointing. I expected better service from a supposedly reputable establishment. I strongly advise others to avoid Formula One Auto Centres if they value their vehicles and want to avoid unnecessary hassle.

Avoid this place at any cost!! Very unprofessional service! I had a bad experience today and I’m really disappointed! Went to the shop Friday evening, young fellow with arm tattoo sleeve was behind the desk. Ordered 2 tyres and a wheel alignment for my car. The tyres wasn’t in stock so he booked me for Monday. On the agreed time I popped in to the garage and I was told my tyres haven’t been ordered…. I have booked MOT inspection after two days, that’s why I needed my tyres on the agreed day. If you don’t want wasting your time you should avoid this garage. BTW I was a loyal customer until today!!

I am beyond grateful to the lads at F1 for fitting in my repairs so quickly enabling me to pass my MOT. I didn’t feel as if I was being taken advantage of with their price or sevices (as a woman) and so cannot recommend them enough. I will definitely using these guys in future.

A totaly prfessional approach, great customer care , giving the customer a feeling of calm reasurace of service well carried out. Marvelous work lads please keepit up.

I booked online. The Staff were excllent, even though they were as busy. Everything was explained. Brilliant service as usual.

Followup 5/6/24: I shared my review with Asda Tyres, who told me "As per F1's request, your complaint is being handled directly by them". Two months later, F1 still haven't contacted me. What a joke!

TLDR: I recently visited F1 Autocentres for a tyre change, booked through Asda Tyres. I ended up waiting almost 5 hours. When my car was finally returned to me, it was missing wheel nuts - I could easily have lost my license. The whole experience stunk of poor management; I definitely wouldn't recommend using this garage.

Here's the full story. I showed up at the garage at the scheduled time, and while they were short staffed, I was told they would be working on my car in the next hour or so.

No problem - I went for a walk and an hour later, got a phone call from the garage. They were having trouble getting one of the locking wheel nuts off, and said I'd have to take it to a "specialist" to get it removed. (AFAIK there's no such thing.)

When I returned, an employee named Josh reiterated they could only get three of the wheels off, and had destroyed the only keys they had in the process; I asked them to change the ones they were able to and I'd take the remaining tyre to another garage.

I spent the next 2 hours in the waiting room, watching as nothing happened to my car, and other customers were seen to. Another employee arrived - apparently he had come from Corby to sort out my stuck wheel. (Not what I had asked them to do!)

Using a hammer and a wrench fitted with a locking wheel nut remover, the newcomer took the wheel nut off in about a minute, while the rest of the staff watched. With great relief, Josh told me they just had to change the tyres and I'd be on my way. I went back to the waiting room, and watched for another hour as nothing happened.

By way of apology, another member of staff offered a wheel alignment service that he told me was normally £50. (There was a poster in the waiting room advertising this was free with a tyre change.)

After another 45 minutes, I had the car back, and the mechanic explained they had to put a regular wheel nut in instead of the locking ones (as they had broken the key). Now running late for my weekly shop delivery, I took them at their word and drove home. This is when I had a proper walk around and saw one the wheel nuts were simply missing from the other three wheels, an offence that could have cost me 3 points on my license per tyre, and a hefty fine.

I doubt I'll get any money back via Asda for this terrible service, but I can at least share my experience.

(Side note, I chatted with another customer in the waiting room who was getting a new tyre put on a brand new BMW 4 Series. The F1 garage had damaged the alloys getting the wheel off, and he was in the middle of finding a BMW dealer to replace the wheel - at a cost of £1,000. I guess I wasn't the only victim that day!)

Had a flat battery down the road from the auto centre today so I called into the store in panic mode and staff there really helped me out. They reasurred me and a chap named josh Donaldson came out and jumpstarted me. Properly run business and top notch staff, they've really got me out of a pickle today and they didn't need to.

Went above and beyond to help and work was to a high specification. Very reasonable price for the work done. I would highly recommend them. Thank you Formula One.