Formula One Autocentres - Southend Reviews 

They could not diagnose oil pump fault. Not able to fix car after two days in garage. The company do not respond to complaints.

not trust worthy and company did not listen to my complaint. Used them for over 20 years and thay were in the past verry good. Stopped recomending them. Manager was rude and not a honest man. refussed to give parts that were changed and had lots of issues over year, but finnal strea was changing part that was replaced 2 months before. They lied to me on phone.

AVOID THIS PLACE IF YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR CAR!!!!
look at the state of all 4 of my wheels in the pictures. Order 4 ps5 tyres on black circles. It said f1 auto in Southend was my closest fitter so booked me an appointment for 2pm on Saturday 2nd march 2024. Upon arriving I get told 1hr30 for 4 tyres!? I’m already thinking that’s a long time.
2hrs45minutes later I get told their done. I confronted the receptionist on the day who was the regional support manager. He also confirmed that the damage was new and called the tyre fitter over who proceeded to try and say it was not him!!!!!!

Ordered and paid for 2 new tyres online to be fitted at a specified time with an email confirmation. I then received an email to call the internet sales team as they had no stock of the tyres I ordered....I called them and had the choice of choosing different tyres or a refund which would take 3 - 5 working days! An absolute 5h1t show.

I normally use main dealer, however I needed tyres urgently a car I just brought. I rang F1 and spoke with Mario who was amazing from start to finish! he informed me the best brand for my car and got me in and sorted whilst I waited nice and quickly! very professional and great service! will 100% use again

I used Formula One Southend yesterday. I'd heard a banging noise in the rear driver's side of the car. I realised that Formula One was open on a Sunday and drove straight there. Within minutes the mechanic asked how he could help me and proceeded to inspect the car on the ramp. He immediately found the problem it was my rear shock absorber spring. He said he could order the part and it arrived midday and he replaced it along with one on the other side as he said it would be advisable to do so. The tracking was done too.

I cannot thank them enough for their expert help and would highly recommend them to others.

The whole problem was sorted within a very short space of time.

Thank you.

Friendly welcome, knowledgeable staff, quick service. Very happy with the experience.

My car failed it’s MOT along with about 10 advisories at the Sutton Road Centre after having done only 3000 annual miles. I then booked it in with another garage who took it for another MOT and it passed. The issues that Formula One failed it on didn’t even show up as advisories and was told they weren’t there, it did have three advisories with the second MOT. I asked Formula One for my money back and was refused, I was told to contest the MOT through a gov.website, along with getting other departments involved for possible re-inspection, all of which would prove hugely time consuming. I feel I have been totally ripped off by Formula One at Sutton Rd, and would advise people to think twice before using them. Not happy, a really bad experience.

Visited for MOT, very happy with meticulous tester, nice manager Michael, he has recently taken over and trying to turn Formula 1’s reputation around.
This is my 2nd MOT and will return.
Would recommend.

Michael on front desk, along with Dave and Sarah who carried out the work couldn’t have been more professional from the moment I made the initial enquiry until the job was completed.

Thank you.

Formula One Southend Branch.

I had to drive for about a mile with a completely flat tire on my car and was very stressed, Michael the manager was so lovely and helpful and put my mind at ease straight away. Honest and understanding when recommending what tire to get, and even fitted me in as priority above other customers as I had to rush to pick my son up from school which was really appreciated.

Thank you all for your help, I’ll definitely be coming back!

We arranged for an MOT and booked and paid online. Unfortunately we needed to cancel the appointment and did so with a weeks notice to the service centre. Since then I have been chasing via phone and email for a refund.

Formula 1 have not responded to my emails. They haven't issued a refund and are absolutely not to be trusted. I am still chasing and still being comprehensively ignored.

I would not use this company ever again.

UPDATE: F1 have replied to this review. Asking for information and asking me to contact a team I have already supplied the information to on several occasions. Still no responses to my many emails and no refund issued.

Terrible company

FURTHER UPDATE: A week after posting this and having provided the details that F1 asked for I have still had no refund and no one has bothered to make contact with me. Appalling service. They take your money and will not return it.

I will go nowhere else as been to other places and got poor service. They are always polite and helpful and great customer service and I often go in with no appointment and can generally fit me in to do light bulbs great etc prices great too keep it Guys doing a great job

Staff very efficient, welcoming and professional. Impressive and accurate adherence to customer service policies. I was back on the road in quick time. Thank you.
Highly appreciated and recommended.

Was recommended to formula one by my nabour. I Was seen by the new manager Micheal today . Fitted me in to have suspension checked and repaired if needed he also sorted out my puncture in my tyre. All repairs done same day , very fair priced will be booking my MOT’s and services here from now on .

Friendly manager was very attentative and was straight on the case to find the issue. They identified it was an issue TMPS valves. They provided the information that was required and advised to get the part and they will then be able to get them fitted. Returned to the garage and they was more than happy to assist. Very Comfy waiting room and view the work being carried out on the vehicles while you wait. Work carried out by Sarah and Mike and done a great job. 👍 would fully recommend. Top team and great service. Thank you. 😊

Have been going to formula one auto centre in Southend for 10 years + for new tyres and the service provided today was the best in all these years

Very pleasant and helpful staff and tyres were sorted in no time and they kindly replaced my reverse light for nothing

I would highly recommend to anyone especially with the new team who were really professional and welcoming and drove away happy

I'm immensely grateful to Mario for his exceptional support throughout my experience. He went above and beyond, providing invaluable assistance and guidance with a warm and friendly approach. Mario's professionalism and attentiveness made all the difference. Thank you for making this journey truly outstanding!

Sincerely,
LB

Very happy with the customer service I received today. The Manager was very professional and accommodating whilst working under pressure with limited staff available.
Happy to recommend the team at Southend on Sea 👍🏼

Formula one in southend is fantastic the staff is so friendly and reassuring highly recommended them thank you so much Micheal and Chris you have been wonderful thank you one very Happy customer love georgie xxxx