Formula One Autocentres - ST Albans Reviews 

Had unpleasant experience, manager called to resolve!

Two front tyres booked in to be replaced. Took 3 hours. Told on arrival it could be an hour. 3 hours is a long time to wait in a Formula One centre.
Update: I received a call from Jay at Formula One who had followed up with the garage and explained the reasons for the 3hrs and apologised. I really appreciate companies that take feedback seriously and want to improve their services. Changed from 2star to 3star.

Friendly polite efficient staff. Very helpful with tech advice

Had lost air in tyre of spare car whilst away for the weekend and assumed I would need to buy a new tyre. Took the car to the garage and the mechanic (Leroy?) looked at it immediately. He identified a problem with the valve, fixed it and didn’t charge me anything. So friendly.. will definitely return.

Booking online was easy and quick.
Upon arriving, the gentleman on reception was extremely helpful.
My car was dealt with in line with my booking time.
Very happy with the prompt friendly professional service

Great customer service at the St Albans branch. Romaine in particular has been so helpful, going over and above to help me get the problem fixed. A real gentleman.

Bookings. What are they?

Booked a tyre in at 1pm to get sorted in my lunch break.

Upon arrival, nobody in reception. Car keys left unattended on full display. A gentleman had been waiting for what appeared to be quite some time. Further people queuing behind me.

Eventually served at 1pm as I had been early. Was told it would be 30-40 minutes. Assumed this was to set expectations in the event of difficulties.

At 1:45pm I went back to the reception to find the previous person having ‘words’ with his superior. He went out to my car with a cig in his mouth.

By 2pm he had managed to take the wheel off. Tracking has previously been out, but since resolved. This did not stop him from trying to flog tracking as a result of the historic uneven wear on the tyre being replaced (with no such issue on the other tyre on the same axel).

Car keys eventually handed back at 2:30pm

During the course of my wait, I penned the following:

Yo, listen up, let me tell you a story
'Bout a booking that left me feeling sorry
I rolled up to the spot at 1pm sharp
Hoping to get my tyre fixed, but the mood was dark

The reception was empty, keys left out in the open
People waiting, frustration was growin'
Finally got served, they said 30-40 minutes
But little did I know, it was all just gimmicks

At quarter to two, I went back to check
Found a man arguing, he was a wreck
The mechanic came out, cig in his mouth
Took my wheel off, but he was heading south

Tried to sell me tracking, said my tyre was worn
But the other one was fine, his words were just scorn
Two thirty came, finally got my keys
But this booking left me feeling far from pleased

So listen up, garages, get your act together
Don't leave customers waiting, stuck in bad weather
Fix the tyres quick, don't try to upsell
Or you'll end up with reviews that'll give you hell

Bookings, what are they? Just a waste of time
When the service is poor and the mechanics don't shine
So take my advice, find a better place
Where they'll treat you right and put a smile on your face!

Turned up two weeks ago for an MOT test only to be told the machine wasn’t working for 4x4 cars and had to rebook. Turned up this morning and still not fixed and no one bothered to let me know! Incompetent in the extreme and now I have to hassle for a refund as I’m going elsewhere.

Reece the Manager and Sean the fitter were absolutely superb with our Kia Picanto which needed a puncture repair. I can't thank them enough for the attention to detail and quality of the repair. I have used Formula One a few times over the last 20 years but at St Albans was my best experience by far. Well done lads. Top Job. 10/10

I had had a bad experience a few years ago left a scathing review and have never been back. However I feel I need to leave a fab review now. Ordered and paid online., no problem. Went there and the guy took the keys and told me 20 mins and wham back on the dot. It seems all is well at the F1 tyre centre St Albans. Well done and will definitely use you again.
Best regards
A Happy customer 👍🏻

DO NOT GO TO THIS GARAGE
WENT HERE TO GET MY WATER PUMP FIXED BUT IT DOES HELP IF YOU CONNECT THE ELECTRICS TO THE BLOODY PUMP THEY CHECKED THE FUSES WHICH WAS OK IN THE END I TAKEN THE CAR TO ANOTHER GARAGE SPENT MORE MONEY HAD TO GO ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE TO BE TOLD IT WASNT CONNECTED INCOMPETENT AND USLESS

Replaced exhaust quickly and efficiently. Friendly and helpful service. Even took the dent out of the front of my car! Very happy with experience

They fixed a slow puncture on our car in no time at all.

The member of staff Cat was extremely helpful and knowledgeable to help fix the light on my van.
Thanks very much Cat
All the best John

I ordered a tyre online and after arriving at the St Albans centre the fitter (Sean) highlighted that my tyre was fine but the tyre sensor could be faulty. It was pleasure to deal with Sean and the team, a company who have highly professional standards.

I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they were just incompetent rather than being outright dishonest. Called up on Friday and asked for a quote to replace mid and rear sections of an exhaust. They quoted me £228 over the phone but they didn't take any of my details. Arrived on Wednesday to drop the car off which all went smoothly. Later in the day I called them to ask if it was ready and was told they'd been calling me all afternoon (not sure what number they thought they had for me). When I collected it i was presented with a bill for £401 and told that there was no way i was quoted £228. Couldn't exactly ask them to take off the exhaust and put the old one back on so had to suck it up and pay it. Should add that the invoice was addressed to someone else. The exhaust is still blowing but not going to risk taking it back to these jokers.

Manager and staff were friendly, helpful and professional. I did not have an appointment, they were busy but managed to fit me in for a Mot. Service with ease, thank you guys! I would definitely recommend.

I came in today for my MOT, and as someone who has no idea about cars, I'm always greeted with friendly staff and all recommended work is explained thoroughly to me. I've been coming to this garage for years and have never had a bad experience. Happy customer!