Formula One Autocentres - Newbury Reviews 

Called up on the off chance they had some availability for walks in. Thankfully after explaining the issue, they squeezed me in.

Jazz was fantastic, explained the issue and within 15 mins, showed me the cause and resolved it.

Honestly, I'm astonished how good my experience was.

I took my car to the Newbury garage for the first time today, and received a friendly and professional service from Jazz and Fatmir. Thank you.

Booked online for service/MOT. When dropping off the car the gent on the desk was friendly and welcoming. MOT & service was completed quickly, I was given honest and helpful advice about advisory work and they kept me informed so never had to chase them. I returned for new tyres 2 days later, as they didn't have what I wanted in stock on the day and I needed the car back. They pointed me in the direction of their Black Friday deals online, which made them the cheapest around for the tyres I wanted. Again, on second visit, received a friendly greeting and work was done quickly. Great team, thank you.

Friendly, polite and professional. Great service, they advised on the issues very well - definitely will be back.

Great service friendly staff. Would use again

Tom was covering for the day, got me booked in same day for a puncture repair best service and best price.
Cheers Tom!

Recent MOT test. If I could give Zero stars, I would. So reluctantly have to give 1 STAR.
Booked in my Car for an MOT: Testing station manager was really welcoming. Upon completion of the MOT test, I was informed it had failed on Emissions - advise given on failure.. go and put Super Unleaded petrol in the car. Surprising, as I ALWAYS use super unleaded, no other advise given. The car is A1 fully serviced and well looked after. Had no choice but to take the car to the manufacture, who carried out a full review and inspection, no faults found. They also carried out the MOT and it passed with flying colours - no emission problems whatsoever! Informed me that emission testing on this particular car must be tested using the correct exhaust pipes or the readings would be incorrect. This experience caused unnecessary extra expense in the hundreds! And time. F1 customer service was simply appalling, I was promised a call back from management, so I could discuss, that never happened. I did eventually receive an email following many calls to the MOT centre stating it was not there problem and the case was closed, not giving me the opportunity to discuss the MOT test and the failure in detail with them. A really disgruntled customer.

Be wary especially the Newbury branch
My car failed its mot on needing brake pads all fine with that.
But this is where the issues started received a phone call to tell me.
I asked if its something that can be done now response was "were to busy " again fine I understand they have other work on so asked when could it be done "dunno possibly Tuesday or Wednesday " helpful response don't suppose you could be a bit more specific! this was a Friday by the way
So phone ETB Newbury who are opposite couldn't have been more helpful were squeeze you in this afternoon bring it straight over an leave it with us.
So receive a phone call from ETB to then inform me regarding excessive corrosion on the discs which they inform me really should be replaced also.
As they will in the current condition cause new pads to wear quicker if I could post a picture with this review I would as I'm still asounded to the condition of them.
ETB asked have they advised you on the discs no they haven't was my response.
Well were amazed here it should most definitely be an advisory for excessive corrosion its not a mot failure the discs but in the their condition putting new pads on those discs will cause premature wear at a minimum so they should have at least advised it on the test.
So when all work was carried out the car was returned to F1 for a retest when questioned about the discs an the condition I was then informed that with the mileage the car is doing which Admittedly isn't a lot that "I feel they're not worth worrying about " now again if I could post a picture to how bad they were I think you'd agree it's slightly concerning that such a safety critical aspect of a car an especially on a yearly inspection MOT that something isn't advised an the attitude of F1 autocentre was quite flippant regarding it !!
Usually I use ETB Newbury but they had no availability on my chosen day so that's why I used F1 which is a regrettable decision now also ETB Newbury when they realised they didn't have the discs went an picked them up themselves from the motor factor's so they could get the job done as quick as possible for me as I've said before couldn't have been more helpful. Well done ETB Newbury

What a great experience had a problem with a tyre thought it was a puncture but found that it was a leaking valve. Got another valve and they fitted it for me. The team were very professional and made me feel welcome, so helpful. Will certainly be going back again if I need something else for my car.

My daughter took her Corsa to F1 for an MoT and asked me to collect it around 16:30. They had failed it on a tyre and hadn’t called to ask if she wanted it replaced. After loads of attitude they eventually replaced the tyre at a cost of £85 for a cheap tyre.
However what is shocking and unacceptable is that a week later the front brake pad had worn down to the metal and damaged the disc. How on earth can F1 pass an MoT with a pad which must have been visibly worn to beyond the minimum.
She took the car to Wiltshire Tyres who replaced it at a cost of £225 and were appalled how it could of passed an MoT the previous week.
I would advise that F1 place all their employees on a customer care course and send their MoT mechanics on further training which they obviously lack.
Avoid F1

So today I had to bring my car into the garage in newbury because it had been smoking and the engine had been overheating, straight away Dean got my car straight in and started sorting it for me, he is very friendly and had been absolutely amazing and needs to be recognised for his hard work and the care for his customers, thank you

We booked a service and MOT online, for the next day. When I went down, I was served by Dean, who was friendly and helpful. He said that he was short staffed and it might take longer than usual. Dean then called me as expected at 3pm- all sorted for you come and get it. When I picked the vehicle up Dean was again really helpful, despite clearly having a high workload. Excellent service. We will be booking in to have tyres fitted soon, which we discussed at the time.

The staff told me that my car shock absorber was totally damaged and need to replace the brand new one to fix the car.I have confirmed that does he sure the whole part of shock absorber was damaged and he said yes.Then I asked the staff what date can I pick up my car,he promised I can pick up it on 30 June 2023.On 30 June 2023 I called them and the answer was I can’t pick my car as they are too busy to fix it and promised me that I can pick up it tomorrow again(1 July 2023). I went to pick up my car on 1July 2023,they had did nothing and told me that he was so busy to fix my car in the rude way and again they promised me to pickup my car tomorrow (2 July 2023).At last I picked up my car on 2 July 2023.When I went to pick my car,the staff was so rude and impolite,when I waited him to finish the job,the staff kept angry at me,he kicked the object on the floor.
If you can’t finish the job on time then why do you promise me that,they keep telling lies.
The most terrible thing is I have take the old shock absorber to the other garage and the mechanic checked it and told me that the shock absorber is good just need to replace the spring.I am so shocked that the staff of formula one told me that was totally damaged.
Actually I just need to replace the spring and my car fixed but formula one was cheating and make me waste lots of money on that.
I am very disappointed with this experience.This was totally ripped off.

Ive only given 1 star as it does not give the option for no stars.
ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING SERVICE!! Booked in for 8:30am for new break pads, rung at 11:15am to see how they were getting on..... told havent even looked yet as staff there are not qualified and it might not get done until tomorrow!! Didnt give them the chance to get hold of my car went and got my keys and left that garage in disgust!! F1 = Failure 1 in customer service and manners.
If you cant run it dont book people in and promise work to be done!!!

I booked my van in for an MOT with this company on line, they verified the van and what it was and took my money for the MOT upfront, I had it booked in four days before the Friday at 4pm appointment, I dropped the van off at 3.30 and was told to come back at 5. At 4.30 I had a phone call from the garage saying “ we can’t do your van cuz it’s a long wheel base” no apology! When I collected it I was told by the non apologetic guy behind the counter that the van weighs more than 3ton so they cant do it, after asking for my money back I was told in no uncertain terms they couldn’t do refunds and they would contact head office to try and arrange to get my money back - as it seemed that it was my fault! Fuming is an understatement.

I would strongly recommend avoiding these centers unless you want to get ripped off. I have used them in the past and they were quite good. However Iused them again and their prices are extortionate. 49 pounds for 2x wipers is an absolute joke

Edit. I already contacted customer service and the regional sales manager, who was trying to tell me that 49 pounds was a good price for some wipers and thet had already taken money off the bill although there was no mention of it on the invoice, hence this review. They are also trying to have it removed, even though I can provide receipts etc

I've used this branch quite a few times and they've always been excellent and super polite and I had nothing but good things to say about them, but I've just dropped my car off at the Newbury branch and the man has been really quite rude.

I guess he's had a bad day and is really busy but it's not my fault and having someone blame me for him not having enough time is not really what I want. He misinterpreted the job sheet and was quite short with me about it.

He was really quite angry with me about not having enough time to fit in the job. It was as though this was my fault. Surely the manager should be looking at the jobs coming in and plan the work day? I booked it about 5 days ago.

When they did the job they almost couldn't do it because the locking wheel nuts were rusty but managed it eventually. This is rubbish as I managed
no problem all the nuts including the front ones which were equally rusty. Maybe just lack of skill on their part?

I suspect this is the usual story. A company promising the world and the overworked staff struggling to cope. I find it hard to blame the man personally when F1 Autocentres put him in that position.

a friendly bunch, that got on with the job at a reasonable price. On-line booking system worked well.

Awful experience from the beginning, now 5 visits later and a lot of expense on my part!

Staff not knowledgeable enough on vehicles suspension (air/gas range rover)

Ordered 2 tyres, I ordered the wrong size, larger but that was OK, however garage never pointed this out, that I had 2 different size tyres on an AWD vehicle!!
Purchased 2 more tyres to match and took advantage of free alignment and suspension check.
Nothing was checked properly, had to advise them what model to select on alignment machine....

Alignments was done, now have a 90 degree to the right steering wheel, 4 attempts later, still not close to how it arrived or should be I argued with manager who couldn't care less.
Had a 5th attempt, still wrong, drove off to other garage who sorted it at another £65 when I had already paid £45 to have said adjustments!! Also, 3 test drives done by staff who said it's normal!!!! Didn't arrive like that nor should be 'normal' to drive with a wonky steering wheel.

Also had to re balance all 4 wheels due to a horrible judder and wobble over 50mph.

Now I cannot remove any of my wheel bolts as after asking them not to, they have over tightened all with a gun as a revenge for customer wanting his expensive car put right!
Dealt with a lot of sarcasm from tyre fitter and had to show him Google that range rovers do not have oil or grease filled shocks..... I mean really! It was written on the label in front of him.
Grease was present to prevent rust and allow noise free dropping of the air suspension, that only.

Not that I need to justify to a fitter what is on my vehicle!!

This is now going to cost me yet again at another garage.

Steer well clear, turns out they are known locally for shoddy workmanship, other local garage has done several jobs putting things right after these cowboys....

Never again will I use your company. Utter shambles at Newbury.... And caused me serious annoyance and time I did not have spare!

Took 18 year old Jag in or extended service & MOT at Newbury. MOT failed on emissions, which had never happened before. Took to an independent who said sometimes an MOT Tester may rev the engine in a way to generate false [high] readings on CO2 emissions. Without out any changes to car, they tested emissions again, and they were now fine. Conclusion is that this tester was simply trying to generate more income via repairs via the MOT for F1. Will never use again.