Formula One Autocentres

I took my car for a service recently at Dunstable formula one. I received a phone call from the hospital later that day asking me to attend 5pm. I called to ask if my car can be ready for 4pm the latest. Glen wasn’t sure but I was happy to leave my car there overnight so they can complete the job. He called me later on and told me that the car will be ready for 15.00. So I went to collect it and it wasn’t ready. At 15.30, he said that they are struggling to switch the service light off. I was happy to leave my car there and come back. He demanded that I will take the car and bring it back tomorrow as it only takes 5 minutes. When I came out of the hospital on next day, I called him. He said he will not do it today as it takes 45 minutes now to do. I was very unhappy as yesterday he said that it only takes 5 minutes. My partner was on the phone when Glen told me that he struggles with the service light. I went in and Glen was very rude and raised his voice. He said he will not do it. I explained that I am unable to attend any other time as I work long hours and weekends too. I will not recommend them as they don’t complete the job that you paid for properly and they just make up excuses and don’t want to do it. Today James came out to my work and it only took 3 minutes to switch the service light off. I was driving home from work and I’ve heard some scratching noise. I have checked eventually and realised that the metal panel under the engine was loose. If it fell off during driving, it could have caused an accident. I am not very happy as I consider this as negligence. Now I don’t have a car to get me to work. I paid lots of money recently there for the service and the MOT and the break pads change. I will definitely not return. Even my partner cancelled the service and we will go elsewhere. I emailed the head office but no response yet. I want this fixed immediately and I am looking for a compensation. Otherwise, I will take a legal action for all this negligence.
1 7 years ago (09-04-2018)

Really good service . Booked in for master service, tires, A/C, timing belt and few other things- all done in one day. Next day MOT. Thank you very much.
5 7 years ago (21-03-2018)

First of all, my appointment was scheduled for 3:30 PM on Saturday last week. I arrived 15 minutes earlier but my MOT was not started till 15 minutes to 4 PM. Paperwork states it was tested at 4:21 PM but I had to actually wait till 15 to 5 PM for to receive my paperwork. They apologised due to technical issues it took this long. Nevertheless, whole process took more than 2 hours. In addition, MOT was presented as fail and serious major issues raised and a whole long list of advisories presented to me. I was recommended that I have to prepare myself for a serious service of my car that might cost up to £500.00. Trusting convincing words of F1 employee (whom name I cant remember but he works at reception) I left my car for further assessment and final quotation. This person called me on Monday 9th in morning and informed me that repair of my car for to be able to pass MOT would cost up to £600.00. Later that day afternoon I went to the centre to collect my vehicle. My car was still placed on the ramp and this person made sure to point fingers through the holes that were addressed on MOT report as a definite fail. He explained car to be requiring extensive repair that need intensive labour due to car seat removal and that was a reason why quote is so high. I explained to him that car was serviced in a different centre in November 2017 and mechanic (whom I know very well and is a trusted person) picked up no such issues . It seemed very strange to me that such extensive holes (four of them) would appear in very short period of time. He then recommended he was very familiar with Ford KA issues and rust problem and that he had seen many of such cars scrapped due to extensive corrosion. He suggested to buy this car from me for parts as according to him his girlfriend had a Ford KA. This seemed very suspicious to me as he gave me his personal mobile number (which you can see written on the scanned card). He said to get in touch with him if I change my mind from scrapping it. On that same Monday evening I left your centre and decided then to take my car to same mechanic that serviced my car last year . I wanted to hear his opinion . He informed me on Tuesday morning that car was serviced and passed MOT and total value of that was £185.00. I had such a relief hearing that as I was prepared lo lose my car to a scrap yard! Later on Tuesday evening I went to collect my car and mechanic advised that : 1. One of holes that was addressed as a fail in your MOT list wasn't structural, it was part of the door, it should had not been failed. 2. Rust was a surface rust and all the holes that were addressed as fail or advisory looked as forced in by a tool. 3. Tyre worn to legal limit was a false advisory on your MOT report as 3 mm is way above legal limit which is actually 1.6 mm, so by 1.4 mm above legal limit!!! 4. No oil leak detected, no break fluctuation, actually my MOT passed without advisories in a different centre. After all of this investigation it makes me to believe that F1 in Dunstable is a SCAM central. Employee who worked at reception on that Saturday morning and Monday evening this week and his colleague S. Miah, who inspected my car on Saturday, are using people vulnerability and damage their cars in order to gain their own benefit. They compile big lists of issues with cars to make people (and in this case myself) worried , to believe it is beyond salvageable. He was also brave enough to approach me with a private number. You should be aware of people acting this way and working in your company as this definitely destroys your reputation and image. I would not recommend this place to anyone and I will make sure to share my experience for people to stay away from there. Finally, I know prices may vary between garages but difference with another place , where I had damage to my car repaired and MOT carried out is obvious! It is very clear to me what F1 employee was trying to do. Damaged my car for his own profit and made me waste over £200.00 on MOT!
1 7 years ago (13-04-2018)

Didn't follow my instructions and unable to advise quality of Marshall tyres. However staff were polite and helpful
2 7 years ago (28-02-2018)

Really welcoming and friendly service here every time I visit. I feel totally confident leaving my car with them whether it's for servicing/MOT etc, really easy to make appointments or previously I've just dropped in and been fitted in, which was so helpful to me! Great communication always and Glen in particular is really attentive, helpful and delivers great customer service! Would highly recommend!
5 7 years ago (08-08-2017)