Formula One Autocentres - Woodford Green Reviews 

Excellent customer service nathan and joe where unbelievable helpful had me in and out in 30 mins

Excellent customer service, the guy on the front desk was polite and clear with what he was telling me work got done on my car fast and was a reasonable price I can't complain.
all round a really good experience.

Had 2 new front tyres fitted. I asked the guy on reception ( a nice enough fella) to check the pressure all round and he said it would be done anyway. 1 hour later I drive off. 500 meters down the road it has low pressure warning on all 4 tyres. Not only were they all below the recommended pressure but all 4 had completely different readings. Due to time and heavy traffic conditions I went home and pumped up my own tyres!
Also the drivers rubber door seal had been ripped.
Its just not good enough really.

An extremely poor service....failed my MOT due to incorrect headlight beam....after they didn't fit the bulb unit properly. I was even advised a complete new headlight unit was required.
Next day car passed MOT at another test centre without a problem after the experienced and trustworthy mechanic identified bulb had been fitted incorrectly.
Avoid these amateurs and choose experienced and honest garages.

Been coming to this garage for a couple of years now and I must say the branch manager Nathan always looks after me, always explains things in a detailed way and always giving me advise so I don't over spend on unneeded things, have recommended to all my friends and family and they have all come back to me praising the good work of Nathan and the rest of the F1 lads.

Mark the mechanic is a top guy. Mot done quickly with a smile. I would recommend.

I’ve been using Formula One Autocentres since 2020. Not really had an issue until recently. Two separate experiences have left me feeling let down.

The first bad experience I had was 2 months ago (Nov 2023) when I recommended my son to use them for his interim service and MOT. He took my advice and contacted them. He spoke to the branch manager and booked his car in for the following day. He dropped his car off and was called to say his car was ready to collect at around 5pm. I went with him as I drove him to the garage. Upon arrival he was told that a ‘FULL’ service had been carried out, despite my son saying he had asked for an interim service. They then proceeded to charge him for a full service. I asked to speak to the manager who was just rude. He confirmed that he was the one that took the call the previous evening, and despite the fact that I was also listening to the call my son had made and know he had asked for an interim service, he insinuated that I was lying. I told him that I have been a regular customer for years, but this guy just kept making this petty insinuation and threatening that if we didn’t pay for the full service he would not release the car. Tempers were rising in a public area of the shop with other customers listening, so to deal with this professionally I suggested to the manager (whose name I do know but am not making public) that we take our conversation to a less public area. Whilst he agreed to this, he still did not budge. I then asked if calls were recorded. He said yes. I asked if we can listen to the recording and he said he can’t get access to this as he needed to request this. I asked if he could make the request right away and he said no. I then asked for a complaints email address and he provided that. We paid for the full service and left.

I wrote to their head office complaints department for a subject access request and making them aware of the incident. They replied within two days and responded saying that they had listened to the call and we had asked for an interim service.They apologised and refunded the difference. They did not send a recording of the conversation as per my request.

I have noticed this branch manager arguing on the phone before when I was waiting on a job to be finished on my own car, but thought nothing of it and let it go. As the issue with my son’s car had been resolved I decided to give them another chance. My own car was due a service and MOT and I booked in last Friday. Dropped my car at 8:30am and returned at around 4pm when I was told the car was ready but it needed additional work. They said I needed a new fuel filter, cabin filter, rear brake discs and pads, and a 4 wheel alignment. I absolutely did not think this was right. The MOT had passed, it would not have passed if the brake discs were worn. They were charging £760 for all the additional works. I decided to not get the work done and get a second opinion. I took my car to a garage a block away to check the brake discs and alignment. They inspected the car and said the discs and pads were fine. They checked the alignment and said it was fine as well. They didn’t charge me a penny as I usually get my tyres from them. So now I know for certain that I was going to be charged for work I didn’t need. Moreover their prices for additional works were extortionate. I got a separate cost for the same brand / quality parts and they were a fraction of the cost.

Lesson learned, not going back. They have lost a regular customer.

Booked for a weekend, email receipt said to call for appointment time. So I did, was told that the service I booked was not available at the weekend. Lucky I did. F1 were not proactive, if you don't do something on a Sunday, why can I book it? Got there, ok enough staff, ok enough time to do what I paid for. They were talking amongst themselves loudly and laughing at the reception about how my car didn't need what it was I was paying for. I think they forgot that I was sat in the MOT viewing area and that I could hear. I've not long had the car, and was paying for peace of mind - I've had this done, so I know it's done, and when. Oh and I was paying for that, so that's what I wanted. Am sure there's many good points from all the reviews, but my experience is that I'd not go back.

They saying it’s a family a run business, I spent 1000s pounds with them, I was like them before but no more, because recently they became unfriendly and careless for customers, I was calling them to recheck the wheel alignment as they didn’t complete the job properly, I had to drive there to book a appointment and when I arrived there before my appointment they just refused to check my car, look like they just don’t care about the customer who paid them in advance! I don’t know about their other branch’s, but if can please avoid this branch and don’t pay them in advance, this Woodford Trading Estate, Southend Road, IG8 8HF is no good at all. This is my request to head office please find out who was responsible for very poor customer service at this branch on 10/09/2023? And ask them why they refused to re-fix my vehicle wheel alignments? Why they gave me appointments but refused to fix it on that day and time, why I have to go there 3/4 times to readjust my wheels alignment. My Vehicle registration number FP16*C*. Thank you

A big thanks to Nathan the manager at Woodford Green. I had a real issue as I couldn’t open my boot after an accident! Nathan managed to get the wheel nut needed to get the tyre off. He managed to get this done at 5 even though they were short staffed. Jermaine managed to repair the tyre. I was so pleased with the help and service to me. Great customer service.

Booked for re- gas AC. I had appointment for Saturday am slot. When call them on Friday nobody answered the call within half a day. I decided to go there on Saturday for 8.30am as they open. They told me they have machine broken and can't re-gasing. They mentioned as I should call them to setup time😂.
They are amateurs in my opinion. They should inform main branch about machine problem and do not book for this garage. Waste of time.

I've used F1 Autocentre Woodford Green for at least 7 years, and until recently had great service from them. Left 5-star reviews on google previously.
However, judging by my recent experiences, late 2022 and March 2023, they need to up their game big time.
1. Wife's car was booked in for service & MOT, Nov 22, left my number but they called on her number and persuaded her she 'needed' tracking - when no work was done on the wheels or tyres. It's a common tactic and I've never gone for that extra as I know the tyres drive true, as I inspect them regularly.
2. Booked my car for MOT & service Feb 23, for 10th March - weeks ahead. Arrived to drop the car - unable to do the MOT as their accelerometer had been sent for recalibration. Yeah fine, but why did nobody phone me? Errr.....sorry. Had the car serviced and all OK (credit - their service chaps are excellent - and prices very competitive in Woodford Green). Main verbal advisory was rear discs scored but not seriously.
3. Booked my car in elsewhere for MOT which it passed, with exactly the same advisory i.e. scored discs but not seriously deficient. Also found a couple of nails in the tyres.
4. Booked it back into F1 Woodford Green to get the nails removed and tyres repaired or replaced as necessary. No charge for the nails removed - only small nails, and in the tread - Credit for that. However....
5. 'Your rear discs are seriously corroded - we recommend you have them replaced'. Told the chap the car passed the MOT the previous day - which F1 couldn't do cos their equipment was faulty - 'Yeah but with brakes, they work until they fail'. REALLY? I pointed out that they serviced the car 6 days previously and had not recommended this. Chap went quiet. Refused the recommended work. Not impressed on this occasion.
In summary, I've given a 3* overall review cos of a good history with them, and will continue to use them for convenience (they are 1/2 mile stroll from my house) and good value, but I'd recommend they get their messaging right, between the service chaps and the front desk, and between the front desk and the customer. I'd also recommend people be aware of their car's condition and not take the word of the front desk at face value. We all want our cars to be in good condition and safe for the road, but please challenge before accepting any extra unnecessary work.

Booked an mot + full service
The full service looks like a rushed job, they didnt even check my spare tyres! No notes provided or anything compared to the service from a previous occasion.

Heres the part that annoys me the most: I was offered a wheel alignment extra after the service which I paid for in full. The person who did the wheel alignment didnt even lock the steering wheel, now my steering wheel isn't even straight when I need to drive straight, its at an angle…
Contacted customer helpline number and emailed them twice and no one picks up/responds. Atrocious service. I came here after buying a new car recently, thinking I can trust this garage with my new car (Woodford Green) from good service in the past, but looks like they've lost a customer now due to their lack of customer care and doing the job properly.

I am very disappointed with the service. Very poor quality. No covers put on the seat to protect them to get dirty. I had to come back to the garage to check the brakes after MOT been carried out. It's been some air in brake system, one of the most important things in a car. Still one bulb hasn't been replaced. A cover not properly been attached after cabin fillter replacement. As I said, very, very poor quality. Still keep looking a proper garage. Hard to find. Thanks.

Booked on line. Car went in and came out with the work done in a timely manner (Cooper tyre fitted), with the wheel lock where I left it for the polite technician.
What more can one ask for ?
All good.

Booked in tyre to be done they phoned me the day I booked in to tell me a machine has broke ok I said I go a different place the told me to pick up tyres myself and take it there no thanks went kwik fit instead no I am waiting for refund 9 days gone I just phone them they no nothing about the refund even though I phoned them 2 shame thought they were really good

I had an appointment today at 8:30, and I called on Thursday to double check the timing, and was told to come at 9. Arrived at 9:05 today and was met with a very rude member of staff who did not take into consideration my information of arriving at 9 told by a member of a staff. He was at the site temporarily and said he had not been told about me arriving at 9 instead of 8:30 and said that I had to rebook. Made sure he wanted to prove to me he was in the right and refused to apologise for any inconvenience. Called later on to discuss what had happened, and make a complaint to a manager and when asked if I could speak to someone higher up, I was simply told no, all of a sudden started apologizing and wanted me to rebook when talking about if I was going to file a complaint, completely unacceptable

I needed my car to help a family member out today. Thought that by booking a much needed tyre replacement here I will just get on with what I needed to do. Quite clearly they have deliberately sent the wrong tyre size and now I’m worried about a family member that needed my support. I can’t go anywhere else to get this sorted today. Of course the refund will take a while. Even had the nerve to ask me to rebook. Jokers.

Just wanted to say big thanks to Nathan at F1 autocentre at Woodford Topman for sqeezing me in as Asda tyres failed to forward my tyre fitting appointment to F1

Turned up for CONFIRMED MOT and they claim they have no bookings for 3weeks?

They never answer the phones, so only way is to go there physically.

BEST TO AVOID!