Formula One Autocentres - Newark Reviews 

Will never use formula 1 newark again.
I have been a loyal customer for over 4 years getting both my cars serviced mot'd and tyres from there and in that time have spent well over £1500 there.
But after today's experience will not be returning I booked 2 tyres £216 worth on Sunday 22nd and booked for 10am on Saturday 29th on arrival was told booking was not on the system could I come back at 1pm as they were short staffed as the manager had gone to work at another depot and someone had called in sick, not a problem things happen I understand that. The assistant manager then went on to clarify 2 new tyres which I confirmed I asked for the good front near side tyre to be put on nearside rear and the 2 new tyres to be put on the front to which the rude and forceful reply was that will muck up your tms, I didn't want to argue so left to return at 1pm, in the mean time I checked on the vw forum to confirm my thoughts that cars tms works of the abs sensors not a wireless tms off the valve caps, on my return at 1pm I asked for the tyres to be done as I'd asked as the tms works off the axle to which I received another sturn response of well if your dashboard lights up like a Christmas tree it's your problem not ours, I was then asked to leave the car for 1 hour to fit 2 tyres I returned after 1/2 hour and the car was done as I'd requested so I went in to pay at which point I was again told about the lack of staff, I asked if I could have a quote for replacing front discs as this was an advisory on the mot I had had done at formula 1 newark previously to which I was told that new pads aswell not just discs ( which I already know) the quote I received was the assistant manager saying about £240 for that car nothing checked on the computer just a figure off the top of his head.
There has been a management change at this garage there used to be a younger assistant there who was very polite and helpful the new man is forceful and rude.
Ian Elston BSc, CIOB

Spoke with Barry from the lincoln branch who was very helpful and apologised for my experience put my faith back in formula 1

Took my car in today for master service. Guys so respectful, and polite. Called to check and tell me what work needed to be done and gave me a price. Work done so well, car drives better than ever. Thank you so much. No mess left . Perfect. Would definitely recommend. Quality service.

Avoid at all costs!!! Dangerous and incompetent. After booking my MOT over the phone for 11.30am I arrived only to be rudely told that my appointment was at 1pm and that they had double booked because they did not know how to use the new computer system. I agreed to return the car at 1pm but wish I hadn't bothered. I was told I would get a call when the MOT had been completed but instead, over 2 hours later we looked online to learn that the car had failed on a long list of points, as well as a long list of advisories. I walked to collect the car and again was made to feel like I was an incovenience for asking questions, and was told by the receptionist that the car had failed (which I already knew). She explained that my brake fluid was contaminated firstly (I now know this isn't even part of an MOT) and she also said I had a serious steering fluid leak, which in her words 'If I cleaned the steering rack, would be passable as a light misting of a substance'. Again, I now know this also to be completely untrue as my vehicle is fitted with an electrical power steering pump, not a hydraulic pump, and there are no leaks present. After she had told me her version of events, the arrogant, rude engineer/inspector who had completed the MOT burst in and told me that the issues were even worse than the receptionist had told me. He said I had so many issues that my car was scrapworthy because it would be so expensive to fix all the problems listed. He spoke to me in such a rude, condescending manner and I left visibly upset and above all confused. We got home and studied the list of issues extensively, and thought something was wrong immediately. I even had advisories for all 4 tyres, 3 of which are almost new, not to mention we discovered that the brake fluid was fine and even more than that wasn't even a testable item. We replaced the headlights as this was the only item on the list we could do ourselves and promptly rebooked our MOT test with a different test center. And the vehicle passed with only 4 advisories. When we showed the inspector the list that the other garage had given us he was absolutely stunned. He could not believe that someone would go to such great lengths to lie and fail my vehicle on so many things, for what reason I still cannot comprehend. But I know that this man was incompetent to be carrying out MOT testing and that he is a danger to the public in that respect. He is not following any guidelines and I believe he should be out of the business entirely. I have reported this and will take this as far as I can, not only for myself but to stop him doing it to other people. Please avoid F1 Auto Centres Newark like the plague!!!

TO BE CLEAR, THIS REVIEW IS SPECIFICALLY AIMED AT F1AC NEWARK!

A week ago I had a set of new tyres fitted to a set of alloy wheels, I supplied new studs too.

A couple of hours later I took the van home (7 miles) It’s a converted camper van so isn’t used daily.

Today (26/02/22) I took the van for fuel as my wife is off to Wales on Tuesday, then drove down to Brunel way in Newark to get some new wiper blades. On my way out of Eurocarparts I noticed a knocking coming from the front wheel, at first thinking the wheel bearing had gone, I pulled into a garage that was open and he found that in fact the front NS wheel studs had come loose, he then check the wheel for damage (there wasn’t any) and proceeded to check the rest of the wheels
Both back wheels were perfect but only two of the OSF wheels were at torqued settings (bearing in mind I’ve driven the van less than 30 miles since the job) The evidence certainly leads to the fitter either forgetting to complete the torques or being distracted. Anyway mistakes are easily made, but being less than 500 yards from the workshop I decided I would go and let them know what happened if only to help stop this happening to someone else. I was lucky, I was only doing 25mph (although 10 minutes earlier I was doing 60mph on the A46)

What a mistake, the managers were not really concerned by it, the actual fitter who done the job blamed my “after market wheels and studs” and had this really couldn’t care less attitude. All three of them thought it was funny when I stated what might of happened if I was doing 60mph
(By the way The wheels are in fact genuine manufactures supplied alloys for the van, and whilst the studs are after market they were from a recommended supplier)

I asked the fitter why, if he felt there were risks with my supplied wheels or studs, didn’t he feel it was worth informing me about his concerns??

With this he came from behind the counter and squared up to me trying to intimidate me with his height and build and his threatening behaviour. He was telling me to leave the building, the more I stood my ground the angrier he got! I did leave, and as I drove out he and his managers were waving me off and laughing.

I have emailed head office and I will take this to the MD of the company if I need as this is highly unacceptable behaviour! I sincerely hope this is not the usual standard of service from this company.

UPDATE 28/02/2022

I am pleased to report that I have been contacted by the Regional manager today, who could not have been more apologetic, he has promised to investigate the incident. We have had a long discussion, whilst I will never set foot in the Newark branch whilst any of the current staff are there, I am still quite happy to use the two branches I’ve used in the past (Lincoln / Kings Lynn) and whilst I haven’t made this complaint for any other reason than information I do appreciate the good will gesture, although it isn’t necessary! Thank you Mark for giving this the attention it required.