Formula One Autocentres - Tonbridge Reviews 92

Great team, very helpful when I was having trouble with my tyre pressures. Diagnosed the problem and rectified it straight away. Was so impressed I went back to them for an MOT and service a few weeks later, would highly recommend.

Had car serviced & mot this week,have bought tyres from them too would & have recommed them to others ,staff always wlling to help /advise so much cheapers than other garages ive used in past , 10 out of 10

I recently booked an MOT at Formula One Autocentre – Tonbridge branch and had a very disappointing experience.

My car initially failed and I was quoted £630 for repairs, with a delay of up to 10 days for a retest. As the failure was marked “dangerous,” I couldn’t drive the car elsewhere for a second opinion. After agreeing to proceed, I later found there was no record of my booking or quote when I returned.

Once the car was with them, I was informed of additional issues (including a brake calliper) that had not been mentioned before. I agreed to proceed, but was then told the car would not start due to overfilled engine oil—something I had never experienced prior to handing it over. I agreed to an oil and filter change as well.

I was initially quoted £740, but in the end I was charged around £815, and I also had to spend an additional £220 sourcing parts myself (otherwise I was quoted around £1,200). The work took five days, and when I collected the car, I was told it still does not start reliably. This is more worrying me more as I have spent quite a large amount for repairs on this car.

If I had been given clear and accurate information about the likely repairs and total cost from the beginning, I may not have chosen to proceed, as the repair costs are a significant proportion of what I originally paid for the car.

Overall, I found the process confusing, poorly managed, and more expensive than expected. The new starting issue is particularly concerning as it was not present before.

Based on my experience, I would advise others to be cautious and ensure all quotes, bookings, and work are clearly documented and agreed in advance.

Needed a wheel bearing change at short notice. Manager was great, booked me in despite being busy and he and the staff went above and beyond to help with the problematic removal and bearing replacement. Kept me constantly updated on progress and had the car on site for the weekend while awaiting parts. Exceptional level of service and professionalism, fantastic job and a great price too.
Well happy.

Terrible service — avoid at all costs if you don’t want your car damaged.
I booked my van in for a full service — what could possibly go wrong? Or so I thought. After 5 hours with no update, I called to check if my van was ready. They told me I could collect it in half an hour.
Ten minutes later, the mechanic called back to say they’d changed the oil but now there was a major oil leak — half the oil was on the floor — and they weren’t sure where it was coming from. I left the van with them for another hour, and eventually, they said it was ready to collect.
When I arrived, the oil top-up warning light was on. Their response? “Nothing we can do — it’s a common Vauxhall issue.” (My van is a Renault.) They even suggested I Google the issue and take it somewhere else.
I pointed out that the van had no problems before the service, but they simply said they didn’t care. Honestly, I don’t think the people working there are real mechanics — they clearly have no idea what they’re doing.
As I said at the start: AVOID THEM AT ALL COSTS.

Must be the most unluckiest customer ever. Same car as last year an again no MOT tester on a Saturday. Booked well in advance like last year and F1 have failed me for the second year running at Tonbridge. Scottish chap who was clearly in charge basically couldn’t care. I will never use this amateur company ever again. Extremely poor and had no solution when I turned up. Car MOT runs out today. So angry, wouldn’t mind if it was a one off but for the second year running. Poor firm. STAY CLEAR.

Update 17/11/25 - had to email them to get my money back. Manager said he would do it and clearly couldn’t be bothered. Shocker. Again stay clear of this garage. Poorly run and have a poor attitude towards customers.

Have to write here because in-house complaint system is terrible. Made a complaint about manager of Tonbridge branch. The complaint was about the manager…and the same guy was asked to investigate it! I have been a customer for many years, my car was MOT and repaired last month. While at the workshop , a warning light appeared. Mechanic was honest to admit that it happened there, is a small problem not dangerous so bring it back and will be fixed. I took my second car for MoT and asked the manager if I can arrange for the fault on first car fixed. He was not happy and said it may have happened at the garage but nothing to do with us. Take it to someone who does electrics. I was not pleased. In response , when I arrived back on agreed time to collect the car post MoT, mechanics informed me that your MoT has been pushed back but no idea why. I complained to the head office about the manager. Head office asked the same manager to investigate it. He called me and said I had written such a long email What’s my problem! He was not willing to enquire from his mechanics because they are not available. Not even basic complaints process at F1.

A very nice couple of chaps helped me with a wing mirror this morning so thanks very much.Will come to you for MOT and service.
Would highly recommend this garage
Candy. Aers

Booked in for a full service, 2 new tyres and a look at a light on my dash board.

Turned up to drop my car off day before appointment due to personal appointment for my son! And they said I had booked for MOT and interm service which then I explained no I booked full service, 2 tryes and a look at dash light....

Low and behold the next day I get a phone call starting my MOT failed and need £1,200 worth of work done to it for it to pass MOT...

Which of course had to agree to do because otherwise I would gave not been able to drive my car which I needed for my sons appointments!

And again after minimal communication because the poor guy in was left with no information on the issue and no staff was left to help sort the Managers issue!

Which after them having my car around 5 days I had to take it to another garage to try and fix what they had started so can pass the MOT.

I have logged a complaint with head office over 1 week ago was told I would have a communication from regional manager and guess what still waiting even though I was promised an update and what they can regarding my very expensive service and two front tyres!!!!!!!! I wouldn't recommend this garage if you are a woman as even one of the staff agree with me when I said they just saw money signs when I walked in!!

NOT A FEMALE FRIENDLY GARAGE.
Told i needed a new Cat Converter told me it will be £2k, after 3 visits 3 x diagnostics, new spark plugs.
Went to Mr Exhaust Reigate - specialists.
Issue being just a Faulty Oxygen Sensor £180.00

Terrible Experience at Formula One Auto Centre in Tonbridge
I took my car to Formula One Auto Centre in Tonbridge for a simple wheel balancing due to a slight vibration. What a mistake! After their "service," my car became practically undrivable. The vibration was significantly worse than before.
So, I went back, expecting them to rectify their mistake. Instead, they told me my wheels were "buckled" and that they had to put a ridiculous 170 grams of weight on them! They then tried to upsell me a new front wheel or suggested I get them refurbished elsewhere.
Completely unimpressed, I decided to get a second opinion from Crazy Tyres, which, conveniently, is just across the road. Guess what? They inspected my wheels instantly and fixed the issue with a simple balance. No talk of buckled wheels or excessive weights needed.
Formula One Auto Centre clearly either lacks competence or tries to rip customers off. Avoid this place if you value your time and money. Go to Crazy Tyres instead – they actually know what they're doing!

At weekend I booked free suspension check at Tonbridge f1 autocentre . Hour and half later went back and they lied to me about condition suspension saying it was fine when shocks leaking oil and knackered.
I booked 13th Feb to have shock absorbers fitted. When I arrived they had no clue they had booking ordered no parts so let down badly. Keep far away from this place.

Excellent experience in the Tunbridge Wells branch today. Those lads in there are a great credit to and really looked after me. I was even given a really nice cup of tea!

I have used this company twice now and the service and staff are brilliant. They are so friendly and helpful and it’s a pleasure to visit them!

Helpful and knowledgeable staff. Full service carried out quickly and great value.

Thank you to Adam and Mick for your help with replacing our stubborn Saffira battery.
Such great service and really refreshing to find a company which values customer satisfaction as much as you guys do.
So glad we found you.
Thanks again
Dave and Rachel Cook

Good guys. Highly recommend.

Very helpful and efficient, would definitely use them again

Wow, what incredible service! From the moment I arrived, Adam and Mick went above and beyond to resolve my car issue, on a Sunday; offering me a cup of coffee and a place to sit. My car was up and running again within minutes. They were true angels in disguise who came to my rescue in my time of distress. Thank you guys - deep appreciation for you both!

I had concerns about the exhaust on my car and the job was sorted the same day with excellent service- the car runs so much smoother ⭐️