Formula One Autocentres - Swindon Reviews 

We booked an MOT online for a Saturday, nobody called to tell us the MOT tester worked Saturday, little to no sympathy and rebooked for today. My fiance works for the NHS and needs her car for work, we also get married next week and this morning was the last day we would be able to do, Brandon the "manager" called to inform they couldn't do today either as their emissions machine was not working, no empathy about the situation regarding wedding/honeymoon and would not cover any difference to go to a other garage to get an MOT done. Terrible customer service, Brandon couldn't manage a fry up let alone a garage. Will not be going back in the future, they are cheap but you get what you pay for. Go elsewhere if you want any kind of customer service, Brandon has lost you a customer with his rigidity, lack of empathy and lack of any kind of resolution. I would advise you to get a different manager

All good thanks no problems at all and a great price as well for 2 tyres

This garage almost COST ME MY LIFE this morning; after snapping a tyre pressure valve and falsely telling me my brake pads and discs were illegal limit, they then fitted the wrong valve and decided not to screw any of my wheel nuts back in place other than ONE. I noticed just before I entered the motorway to commute to work. Having phoned them to tell them that their actions almost cost me my own and others lives on the motorway, I was told ‘oh really’ and that I would need to pay for a new valve from BMW (would cost £450 for the valve and labour) and no apology. DO NOT USE THIS GARAGE they are corrupt, money grabbing and may cost you your life (the wheel nuts scenario has happened before as I have seen in these reviews). ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING SERVICE they don’t even deserve 1 star.

If I could give zero stars I would. They have had my car in their garage for 8 days after failing to order the correct parts the week before. They apparently keep breaking the new parts that are being ordered in not sure if there is some kind of Incredible Hulk working in the garage managing to break metal or they are compulsive liars. They won’t provide me with a courtesy car. Absolute joke do not use.

Very surprised with the high score. I already suspect something fishy. Anyway, my experience is bad
First of all, they take much longer to repair the vehicle than other garages. Even though they charge one of the lowest hourly rates, it works out the most expensive. They do not charge by minute as some garages, but by at least half-hours. As a result, the final price is higher than an ordinary garage that might charge higher fee per hour, but they do the work probably twice faster
Second, the quality of the job is poor. For example, they fixed my air conditioner last year, and it stopped working in just about more than 12 months. I repaired it again with them asking to check it thoroughly. They had my car for about 4-6 hours and said the air conditioning gas evaporated and it could evaporate in a year. The air conditioner stopped working in less than 2 months. I do not think they even investigated the cause, they simply refilled the gas
Formula One said their job was guaranteed for 30 days, so I was outside it and they could look at my car again and charge again for a shabby work
I raised dispute via my credit card
The only thing they might be good at is tyres. However, book well in advance- they previously pushed me different tyres saying they were equal to the brand I wanted (they had the brand I wanted, but said it would take a few days to get it), but now I don’t trust their advice any more
Update: F1 called me trying to push me to accept free regasing, but I told them this is pointless as they don't fix the issue. And F1 refused to refund the money. So, don't use them, it is lost money

Dean and Kieran have been fantastic to deal with at the Swindon branch, and their customer service was second to none! I fully appreciated the advice and knowledge over the 2 visits and would recommend these guys over all others in Swindon! 2 guys who should receive praise from the higher ups and a massive thank you once again!

So booked car in for mot and service for 12pm today, we was told the price at £209.95. Then get a call at 9.30 why isnt car there. They called saying what needs doing... he said a price for all of it is £340. Great the price seemed reasonable Yes do the work, go and get the car and the price doubled. Absolutely disgusting. Ended up paying £700! When quoted £340 altogether just before work started. He had to split invoices as it was that much. Didn't even print the mot certificate or anything else. Really bad communication. Very scam attitude. I don't recommend.

My friend went for to have her a/c gas topped up and after waiting one hour, was told it would take another hour so drove off. In what world does it take this long to regas a car? My brother in law is a refrigeration engineer and was horrified. Anyway, my friend went to another place where it was a lot cheaper and only took 10 minutes. Shouldn't be F1 garage, more like FU garage.

Utterly and completely useless company. My car lost part of its exhaust. I rang the Swindon branch to ask for a price and was told that they needed to "inspect" my car and booked me an appointment for 8.30am the following Sunday. I duly turn up at the appointed time and date, only to find that they are closed and don't open until 10am. So why book me an appointment at 8.30am (and no, I did not misunderstand the appointment time given to me)??? I happened to be driving past that same day, so called in, thinking that, maybe they would "inspect" my car being as they'd messed up in giving me an appointment that didn't exist. No such luck. Had to book it in again for today. Turned up, had to wait a ridiculous amount of time to be seen as they'd messed up someone else's appointment as well and were arguing with the other person who'd booked online and already paid. Finally get seen and was told that I would need to leave my car with them as they had to "undo some bolts". Umm, no, I had booked a simple inspection to get a price for replacing the parts of the exhaust system. There's nothing to undo. I was not willing to leave my car for a five minute "inspection". Told them not to bother and left. Absolutely unbelievable behaviour. Two wasted journeys that cost me time and money in fuel, not to mention the damage to the environment, just because of the sheer incompetence of these people. Never again. Lesson learned - use a proper, competent garage.

Booked an MOT online using my reg so they knew what vehicle they need to test. Arrived at the station, they took my vehicle, waited 30 minutes than they guy at reception handed me a piece of paper saying they cannot test my vehicle as it's too heavy for their equipment. Well, haven't they saw the vehicle when they took it in the workshop? Haven't they had the reg?
They were rude and not willing to even apologise for wasting my day and money.
I wish them a happy bankrupcy as their service is dog poo.

Phoned up to get a faulty sensor repaired. Got my car booked in. When dropping my car off I again highlighted the issue... 7 hours later I find out that they "couldn't" repair the sensor that I had reported nearly two weeks in advance and wanted to charge me for identifying the faulty sensor... That I had told them about.

Oddly enough when picking my car up the gentleman infront of me had a similar issue and also had to complain.

Had my car Mot'd at Formula One by Brandon Proffitt-Evans. Top lad honestly got the job done at the highest standard. He was really professional and approachable, he explained everything that was being done to my car. Thank you so much Brandon.

Hi I booked on line order number WEB46959447 on 31st January for my mot on 1st March I received a call from my local centre to say that is was cancelled and they rebooked it for this morning 2nd so when I got there they said it was not on there system as there system and yours were different so now Iv had to re book for tomorrow which is really inconvenient and I’m running without a valid mot
This is unacceptable and won’t use your service again
Absolutely shocking service book elsewhere

Excellent professional experience will be going back again soon no problems at all.
J rogers

Nobody on desk or answering phone to customer s ,
(No communication when u leave ur vehicle with them for repair )

Dropped my car off first thing in the morning assistant manager was there before they opened and took my car keys from me. Had phonecall by lunchtime saying my service complete and car ready. Friend staff and accommodating by waiting 15 minutes after closing to enable myself to pick my car up after I finished work. Highly recommend.

After a slow puncture discovery, the Swindon team inspected all my wheels for me and discovered a crack in an alloy. They showed me the damage, gave me some fantastic advice, and even recommended an alloy repairer.

Excellent customer service, excellent communication and friendly staff. Thanks again for your efforts :)

Emergency trip to Swindon branch for a puncture repair. Main Range Rover dealer said it needed a new tyre…Despite being busy the team fitted me in, fixed the tyre and sent me on my way. Couldn’t have been more helpful. Thanks.

Brake fluid. Not done. Coolant change. Not done. Alignment. Not done. Charged for it! Nick was angry and dismissive. Dash cam has been sent to trading standards.
Company has contacted me after the detailed time.. clever

I blew a tyre on road debris, and limped into F1 Swindon. I certainly didn’t expect to get a tyre in my size.

Let’s say my experience is best forgotten.