Formula One Autocentres - Southend Reviews 

Southend on sea branch. Took my sons car to this branch for tracking and new windscreen wipers. On collection i was told by manager and mechanic that the cv joints had split ball joints were damage and this would cost in excess of £400. Also told if i drove the car there was a chance that the wheel could fall off and the gear box drop out. I decided to drive the car to another garage. Whilst driving there was a terrible knocking noise from under the vehicle which wasn't there before. Once the garage had done there investigations they informed that these items did not need fixing. The car was still veering to the left after the tracking had been done , i am not convinced it was even done as it was 25 minutes from dropping the car off and receiving a call to say the car was ready for pick up. Beware!

Purchased 2 tyres for my front wheels. I found the tyres I wanted at a great price so booked in. I paid extra for the more precise wheel balancing too. The tyres were fitted and I was out within about an hour and a half. Despite the expertise F1 autocentres is meant to have I had a distinct steering wheel wobble at 55/60mph that wasn't there previously and on top of that the passenger tyre had been fitted backwards. The tyre was going against rotation so the tread patterns on the front pair weren't aligned. A pretty big mistake and oversight especially when the front pair were done together intentionally to keep them the same. Could have been dangerous in the wet weather. On top of that my wheels were pretty badly damaged too. Passenger much worse that the driver. Not a great experience. Despite the good price point I won't be going back again. That one visit has resulted in zero trust due to the dire experience and lack of attention to detail. I even question if the "special" wheel balancing was completed.

Update 02/11/24 - I contacted the customer link and was contacted for further details. Details and photographs were provided on 31/10/24. No subsequent feedback or outcome as of yet.

Update 06/11/24 - I've heard from the area manager and we're in the middle of finding a solution. I'll post one last update and revise this review once the outcome has concluded.

Update 13/11/24 - the area manager and I have found a solution we're both happy with. I've increased the rating by 1-star as the review was taken seriously and dealt with professionally to an agreed outcome.

booked my car in for new disc`s and pads no problem, also booked for a diagnostic cheek on the rear parking sensors, when asked about the diagnostic result was told it was the rear sensors, I said they are all ticking so that`s not the problem what sensor is not working the guy said it did not say, so basically they do not have the equipment and knowledge so why did the take my money knowing they can not carry out this job, also had air-con recharge that lasted 2 weeks, went back to them only to be told i might have a leek so booked an appointment to do a pressure test only to be told that there is no one their who can do the test, so the long and short of it is for brakes and tyre`s fine but anything else go and see a specialist they will take your money knowing that they can not do the job.

The facilities at the centre are fantastic, all that you could need to leave with a beautifully clean car! In addition to this they stock a range of microfibre cloths, definitely worth having a chat with the chaps there as their knowledge is first class. I have a Triumph Spitfire and was a little worried about the impact of chemicals on the paint, one of the gents told me that all their products are Ph neutral and cause no damage!
Many thanks for all your help, will definitely be back.

I was 4 minutes late for my mot. Alough I accept I was late how very un-accomadating it's to be turned away rudely for being 4 minutes late. I was told in a very codisending was that it was my problem.
Booked in for a service too, they said they might be able to squeeze it in but I'm not going to give them my money or the satisfaction of them thinking they helped me out.
Wouldn't even bother booking with guys again.

I was charged £59 for air-conditioning servicing/ re-gas on 28/06/2024 . Nothing worked at all, absolutely no cooling, Next morning when I have reported, gentleman in charge said he doesn't need to check and he believes the issue has not been fixed. I am not sure if this is formula one's policy or this specific service centre treats customer like this and intentionally provide poor or no service at all. I am still waiting for them to call as gentleman promised a call in a couple of hours earlier today when I went to the garage. I tried reporting the issue but their customer support site says' Our site is down for maintenance.
***Update*** No communication from Formula one once I have responded to their request. However, I have now got an expert advice on the issue, without having checked the air conditioning and inserting gas, formula one has put my car and all passengers at risk of life which is by law a serious offence, I am going to take legal actions for sure. This type of service centre should not be in business.
Update: Someone contacted me from Formula one ( private number so I do not have any means to call him back)and returned £59 pound they initially charged, informed me about the changes that took palace of the garage management. I have had my air condition checked by another garage and they confirmed it was torn apart by formula one when they tried to refill gas as they had no clue how to open a hybrid system( the guy took about 3 hours for the job!!! )This is certainly going to be an expensive repair.

Booked and payed for 4 new tyers to be fitted to car as I was going on holiday in the afternoon 5 minutes before I was due had call that I missed as I was pulling in to the car park when I got in side was greeted with oh just called you our machine not working today we can book in for another day not good enough absolutely no idea how to deal with customers demanded refund told 7 days I said I need money so I could go some where else offered to blow up my tyers said they could do at another branch at 1pm to late for me called there head of customer service who yet again really did not help the whole place is badly run and I was recommended these people and will never go there again do yourself a favour use someone else I called a local mobile tyre fitter he was brilliant fitted and balanced within 4 hrs

Southend. Short, scruffy, angry mechanic came storming over and barked at me that they were running late after I parked up because I had the audacity to be running ever so slightly behind 8.30am. Shame as the actual job was done well. Show some respect to your customers who have paid well in advance and grow up. Rest of the guys good as gold.

Had MOT there last month, then took it in for a service today - absolute top notch from Mario, so refreshing to meet someone with such enthusiasm for his trade and expert knowledge. He took the time to explain so much about the car and it's needs, in fine detail - not blinding me with science or industry jargon, just in layman's terms. Mario is an asset to this garage. Returning next month for required work. Highly recommend.

Booked van in for mot ! Have registration online and it came up with van details! Needed two new tyres so had mot booked for 11.30 but got tyres booked in for 9 . Dropped vehicle off and was picked up by wife ,on the way home I get a phone call saying the vans too big for ramp !!! I had the Saturday off to get mot but had to go elsewhere to get it . I’ve still not received a refund for the mot I paid for online……..

My wife took our family vehicle for servicing and MOT. she was greeted rudely by the customer service rep at the Southend-on-Sea branch. Upon the completion of the work I took a look when I got home. There was oil all over the engine cover and 2 clips broken on the engine under-tray. I called and demanded an explanation. The technician was fully aware that he had broken the clips. The WORST thing was that he still sent the car out with loose engine covers. My wife now needs to take the time to arrange another repair at the service centres expense 🤡🤡🤡

Poor quality control and Rude customer service

Got the manager who was ridiculously helpful. Showed me the damage to my old clutch and advised on future problems through corrosion. Only went there as they were the only ones open on a Sunday, but will definitely use them again.

What a pile of.
Van was booked in for 2 tyres. Appointment time was 12.45pm and arrived slightly earlier as was requested on their website. A number of `workers` we standing around eating, chatting and playing on their phones until around 2.40pm when one of them he`d have to get round to doing something at almost slow motion speed. Eventually the job of fitting the 2 tyres was completed at 3.10pm. 2 hour 20 mintues after the appointment time. I appears we were one othe lucky ones. There was a women waiting for an aircon re-gassed who was there waiting when we arived and was still there after we left.
Formula One are fairly cheap rather than pay an employee to sit around wauching layabouts do nothing usefull aI may as well pay an effiecient dealer a few pounds more

Mario was fab

I just wanted to express my gratitude at the service I received today at the Southend branch of Formula one autocentres.
I called in with a wheel from my daughters horse trailer, that needed a new tyre valve, as the existing one was leaking. The manager was so polite and attentive, and told me to take a seat in the waiting room.
When the job was done he informed me that the wheel and tyre were good and the valve replaced.
I asked how much I owed, and he informed me that there was no charge for this.
I was stunned quite frankly, as you do not normally get anything without a cost these days.
I will definitely be back when I want any tyres, brakes, exhausts or anything else that they provide.
I was very impressed and want to thank Formula one, and In particular the Southend brach.

These are very friendly very affordable very helpful recommend these totally

Fantastic, customer experience highly recommend this garage

I arrived at Southend just under 5 minutes late to be told that I would not be accepted in a rude fashion for an mot (4pm booking). There was no cars being worked on and I believe the staff wanted a early slide and rudly wanted to get out of my booked mot.

Way I was spoken to and the attitude behind it. I apologised and explained I had travelled from Ilford. To which the receptionist (male bald) said tough you need to be on time we work to slots. I again apologised to which the receptionist smirked and said the same thing, in the same poor manner. I then left and as I walked out, I heard the male say something under his breath (perceived as an insult) to his colleague (another male in there). This isn't my normal garage and I am disgusted how I have been treated, spoken to and the loss of earnings (child care, petrol wasted on long journey and precious time).
I have since reached out to those who have used this mot place, to which the issues continue. Damage caused to person's cars, rude staff etc. Safe to say me or my family (used formula 1 a lot in Basildon) will not use them again. I would also advise others not to use it, not worth what I had to experience.

Very friendly and helpful staff, I recommend these guys to everyone

Fantastic service at Southend F1. Mothering Sunday got a flat tyre and Mario, Sarah and the team looked after me. Really appreciate the whole team helping get back on the road. I will definitely recommend and be back.