Formula One Autocentres - Westwood Cross Reviews 

I had a problem with my exhaust system and it was hanging down in the middle of the vehicle, i booked it in the very next day, they put it on the ramp and found that it was just a few of the rubber mountings just needed replacing, and to my amazement they told me there was no charge, so I would highly recommend them to anyone, they are very polite and very honest with everything they do!!
Mr Grainger

Westwood Cross Branch. Thanet.
Car was booked for two replacement tyres. Vehicle technician drove car on to ramp but left auto transmission in drive. Second technician lent through open window to disengage hand brake while engine still running. Car moved forwards and drivers door was utterly destroyed as it collided with steel ramp pillar. Car no longer safe to drive!!!
Nothing less than gross incompetence! 24hrs later, they have yet to provide me with their liability insurance details!

Today I had my tyres replaced, this was my third appointment to have tyres replaced.The first two appointments were double booked even though I had booked through RAC tyres, this was very frustrating.Although it was an inconvenience to attend on a SundayI arrived to find that the old manager had resigned! The new manager TY was very helpful and accommodating .It was a pleasure to be dealt with in a professional manner.Thank you F1.

Took my car for a service and 2 tyres at the Westwood cross branch Kent.

On receiving the car once completed there were some alarming concerns as to what they had actually done.

Tyres hadn’t been balanced as they had the old weights in them. My wheel nut covers were missing. No new valves put in and a valve cap missing off one of them. They also didn’t top up the screen as per criteria for a full service and oil spilt all down the side of the engine.

When questioned the manager said sorry he will kick some arses. He couldn’t give me an explanation as to why this happened. One member of staff said he thought my wheels caps were for another car.

Once collected for the second time they said they had to get the wheels balanced at another garage as the machine was broken and that hey had broken the wheel nut covers and will order me more.

Avoid at all costs. How many other people’s tyres have they not balanced and replaced valves on.

Unfortunately I had to press even one star .I booked my car for an MOT and paid in advance,when I went to pick up the vehicle I got told unable to test due to oil level excessively over filled .I checked beforehand and it was correct and also checked after being told they couldn’t do it .when confronting them apparently there mot area is level but outside where I parked isn’t.It appears they take your money so please please beware.I must also point out this happened to my daughter in-law and they upsold her an oil change previously too .Stay clear something fishy going on at this branch,have rebooked elsewhere.(I’m an ex MOT tester of 22years experience)

Car went in for a full service and MOT, plus air con clean, engine flush and fuel system clean on Saturday 07th Feb. The car failed the MOT for lower suspension arms, not a problem as i was told that the work would get completed on the same day and the car would be ready to collect between 1530 & 1600hrs, again, not a problem, especially with the increase in price to have the work done. so far so good!!!! I was then called at 1515hrs stating that the car would now not be ready until Monday 09th, at the earliest as the wrong parts had been delivered? This call did not start well as I was told that it was Kwik Fit calling??? I questioned if the car could be done on Sunday as I need the car for work, but was told no, as the suppliers don't work on Sunday's, despite having 4 suppliers apparently? The chap from "Kwik Fit" could not offer any resolution as well as not being able to get his area manager to call me back? No communication at all throughout Sunday to confirm that the car would be ready to collect at some point on Monday? Over all a very, very disappointing experience with this Branch, Westwood Cross and as I write this negative review, There has still not been any further communication from the Branch. I have recently only ever used Local, smaller car servicing garages, but due to the convenience of F1 Auto centers being open on a Saturday, I opted to book in with them, what a mistake that was!! Would advise any one to look at local services before booking with this Branch and all email complaints will only be dealt with up to 3 - 4 days from raising any issues!!!

Excellent service and very professional. I am a very happy customer. Thank you Tony (Blue Mercedes A200)

Never again!

I will try to be brief. I have used this garage for many years. So when covid struck and eventually the restrictions were lifted, I noticed a very distinct change. This garage has been very reasonably priced for their work and services. I've had many cars in here including for MOTs. Since covid however, their prices have gone up. They're also now seemingly failing cars just force the owners to pay the garage more money as who really wants to take their car back to another garage, get it repaired their and then return it. Nobody right? Well, when they quoted me £70 for brake cleaning and nearly £400-500 (I can't recall now it was a year or two ago) for lower control arm replacements I felt this was a little heavy surely? so I went and looked at MULTIPLE other garages, nowhere else did I get quoted anywhere near the prices this garage was coming up with. Firstly, the brake cleaning could be done elsewhere for around £20-25. Most garages were in this area. The most expensive was £40. This garage wanted double... (For reasons explained later - I chose to stick with F1 for the brake cleaning to avoid a further reason for MOT failure when I went back in the end, they either made a mistake or gave a much fairer price of £35ish that did not happen in the most recent MOT failure however, and was charged the full amount)

Secondly, the control arms? Yeah, I got them done for £100. I just supply the part myself. This garage wanted a lot lot more ... again. I chose to get the control arms done elsewhere and let F1 Autocentre carry out the break repair as I just know exactly what will happen. "they're still not meeting the requirements". But they cannot say the control arms aren't replaced...

But, I trusted this garage....and I wanted to give them another chance. So the following year, I foolishly went back for an MOT. Guess what? This time, because they knew I wasn't going to get any major work done at this garage like last time, but they knew I would probably get the brakes done, like last time, guess what they did?
Yep... they failed the car on the EXACT same thing as last time, the braking efficiency. But because they knew I wouldn't do any other work here, they instead listed about 15+ things as "advisory" even crazy things like "dirt covering cable". It's a car.... it's outside on the road, who's undercarriage is clean??

Anyway, as a result of that. They also specifically said *which felt like a threat* that if you take the car elsewhere for the brake clean if we carry out the MOT again it could fail but if you let us repair it, we can get it to where ti needs to be then pass it. How disgusting is this? I was in the process of moving home and so I had no real choice here as the risks were pretty high. But I knew from that moment on, I would never ever step foot in this garage again.

It's also worth mentioning that one time I came to this garage, another customer was shouting at the staff member because they had carried out wheel alignment and now the car is pulling to one side.
I totally forgot about this incident and sometime later, I needed this service too , guess what, my car now pulls to one side too.

I strongly urge you, unless you're going here for something basic, or it's an emergency and you don't mind being potentially ripped off. Go elsewhere, literally anywhere.

Outstanding customer service. Professional manager with an excellent helpful team. Competitive pricing. Service delivered efficiently and on time. Wouid highly recommend.

Absolute legends. My partner and I were in Margate today on our anniversary, we saw my car had a bad oil leak coming from its oil filter, being 2 hours from home, I was recommended to come to F1 by the other legends at euro car parts, and the service was incredible. In and out in 15 minutes, the two guys there were friendly and super helpful, can’t thank them enough. Being so far from home and not having many opinions, I thought I’d be ripped off (like one other garage tried too) but not here, thanks again

Can’t praise these guys high enough, had wheel balance problem, corrected while I waited, had to travel a few miles to test on 70 mph road, all good, highly recommended.
And didn’t charge me.

They heavily scuffed my alloy in the centre near the wheel nut. The alloys were in otherwise very good condition, so this is extremely annoying.

Edit: Dear F1 autocentre customer care team - I used the form on your website to report the issue BEFORE posting a review on Trustpilot.

Update another two weeks later: I have had no response from Formula One Auto Centre, (other than the copy/paste message they put below my trustpilot review). They did not make any effort to contact me following the issue I reported through their website. I have pictures of the car before and after they damaged the alloy when fitting new tyres. I understand any business can make a mistake. The true measure of that business is how they make it right. On that basis Formula One Autocentres are absolute clowns who make no effort to rectify the situation whatsoever. AVOID THEM!

After disaster struck on a Sunday and our car began leaking coolant non-stop, the wonderful folks at F1 Autocentres in Westwood cross were not only open (!), but also gave a thorough look at the car. They were quick to identify the problem and were very helpful in providing us with some realistic next steps. Highly recommend!

I cant recommend to the team at Broadstairs enough. I have had numerous issues with my car over the last month after hitting a pothole. Called the team who booked my car in, then called to say they could do it earlier. Assessed the car and found a major problem another big autocentre clearly didn't check as part of the full service. £400 and new shocks later. (They showed me the old ones which were totally screwed), unfortunately this didn't fix the vibration problem. Forward wind 2 weeks and 2 different mechanics later, still could not fathom why I was getting vibration on the car. Everything was checked, suspension etc and all clear. The manager spent hours racking his brains trying to figure out what the problem was. Then light bulb moment switched the rear and front tyres around and it settled the issue.
I see the bad reviews on Trust Pilot, but trust me, these guys are amazing.

Quick pit stop at Formula One Auto centres Westwood Cross as my under tray was loose. 5 mins later all sorted. Great service and highly recommend.

Really wouldn’t give this 1 star!
Booked MOT & service early January for 1st Feb at local centre at Broadstairs. Arrived 8.30 in the morning to be told they do not have a MOT tester. Apparently tried to contact me on my landline, last used over 5 years ago. I never give this out. They also said they emailed me. Upon checking, didn’t receive any emails and checked SPAM. I did receive an email the day before confirming and a reminder. The bloke was not apologetic. For nearly a month they had my money, I was told a refund 5-7 working days. Totally poor service.

Outstanding honest customer service. After a mix up regarding booking dates and arriving on the day work was due to be completed when it needed to come in the previous day to be checked over the team were flexible and managed to make space for my checks and repairs to be done, ready for collection by the end of the following day as I needed it for work. An issue arise after works were completed the team were helpful and got me back in as soon as possible and problem solved until the problem was rectified at no charge to me. The work completed was cheaper than the initial quote on the first day as certain bits didn’t need to be replaced. Andy and Francis were helpful from booking, helping to squeeze the car in after confusion, works being completed to allow me to attend my shifts, being honest and not completing unnecessary works and going above and beyond to rectify the problem that arose.

Following a collision with a bollard, I needed two new tyres urgently. Fortunately Formula One near Westwood Cross was nearby and I limped into there.
Frances was very helpful and as they only had one suitable tyre in stock, got that fitted and put the spare on booking in for the following day when the other tyre would be delivered. Very quick and reassuring. Nice waiting room and good service. Little problem that I spotted immediately was that the locking wheel key was left on the stud, so I was very glad I saw that before driving off as that could have caused big problems. Mentioned to Frances before I left and he apologised profusely. Other tyre fitted next day and all OK.

First time used for a MOT service , it was quick ,easy, & at a fair price & as it should have been all passed which is what one requires as a successful outcome. It was questionable whether the FREE wheel alignment advertised when one booked an MOT on line was performed as they didn't seem to know at pick up, & they did say they were not sure there was time enough available & I may have to re-book ?? There was no paper work thus I assume it was not actually performed . Not a major issue as I am sure my wheel alignment was fine anyway !!
Shame as it would have underpinned my thoughts that all was A-OK. S.Rolfe

Avoid the one in Westward Cross, Ramsgate. We booked an MOT for Wednesday and within 5 mins it had failed its MOT for having oil above the full level and they considered it dangerous. They offered to drain some of the oil and replace the oil filter for £160. My husband said he would do it himself and it was rebooked for the earliest being Tuesday. So on Saturday hubby was ready to change the oil and checked the dipstick. The reading was clearly in the middle of the low-full lines. So we left it as it was to see what would happen when we had the retest. Straight away they checked the dipstick and carried on with the MOT for which it passed. So basically they wanted an extra £160 for nothing. I also had an MOT with them earlier in the year and they told me the brake fluid needed changing for £40 to which I agreed. I did not receive any invoice for this alleged work, they just took my debit card details. Can not prove or disprove they did any work but there is definitely a trend here. They might think there's no harm done in people paying extra but I needed the car for a funeral so could not use it.