Anyone had any experience with F1 Autocentres?
Discussion
I need to get my car serviced and the air con re-gassed soon, and this place seems quite good? Unlike Quikfit, the majority of reviews online seem to be positive and the pricing seems fairly keen (£99 for a service for my 2.5l MG and £42 for an air con re-gas). I tried searching for threads on Pistonheads, but I couldn't find much, so would appreciate some feedback if anyone's used them before 
The branch I'd be intending to use would be the Colchester one.
The branch I'd be intending to use would be the Colchester one. What Oil do they use?
I find KwikFit e.t.c in my area actually quite good but you use the services that are good value.
I don't think it is actually that great value (depending on the car).
The £99 short service for the 2.5 includes the below. Basically an oil change and basic checks. You can get most cars into National for £30-40 for an oil change (Castrol) and filter and they will check all the tyres/brakes e.t.c However this won't result in a stamp in the book.
STAGE 1: VEHICLE ON FLOOR
1. Check exterior lights operation
2. Check wipers condition and operation
3. Check front washer operation and top up
4. Check rear washer and wiper for condition and operation
5. Check condition and tension of fan / aux. belt where visible
6. Check instrument panel for warning lights and report
STAGE 2: VEHICLE ON RAMP
7. Check and report Wheel Alignment or Geometry
8. Check wheel bearings for excessive play or noise
9. Check tyres size, condition, tread depth, and fitment including spare
10. Check shock absorbers and spring condition (where visible)
11. Check all road wheels for correct balance (including spare)
12. Check and adjust tyre pressures (including spare)
13. Check condition of brake pads and shoes
14. Check condition of brake discs and drums
15. Check exhaust system
STAGE 3: SERVICE TASKS
16. Replace engine oil and engine oil filter
17. Check coolant level and top up if required
18. Check anti-freeze strength MIN -20
19. Check brake fluid level and top up if required
STAGE 4: ROAD TEST
20. Road test
I find KwikFit e.t.c in my area actually quite good but you use the services that are good value.
I don't think it is actually that great value (depending on the car).
The £99 short service for the 2.5 includes the below. Basically an oil change and basic checks. You can get most cars into National for £30-40 for an oil change (Castrol) and filter and they will check all the tyres/brakes e.t.c However this won't result in a stamp in the book.
STAGE 1: VEHICLE ON FLOOR
1. Check exterior lights operation
2. Check wipers condition and operation
3. Check front washer operation and top up
4. Check rear washer and wiper for condition and operation
5. Check condition and tension of fan / aux. belt where visible
6. Check instrument panel for warning lights and report
STAGE 2: VEHICLE ON RAMP
7. Check and report Wheel Alignment or Geometry
8. Check wheel bearings for excessive play or noise
9. Check tyres size, condition, tread depth, and fitment including spare
10. Check shock absorbers and spring condition (where visible)
11. Check all road wheels for correct balance (including spare)
12. Check and adjust tyre pressures (including spare)
13. Check condition of brake pads and shoes
14. Check condition of brake discs and drums
15. Check exhaust system
STAGE 3: SERVICE TASKS
16. Replace engine oil and engine oil filter
17. Check coolant level and top up if required
18. Check anti-freeze strength MIN -20
19. Check brake fluid level and top up if required
STAGE 4: ROAD TEST
20. Road test
A timely topic, I was there yesterday for an aircon re-gas (£42) but there was something wrong with my air-con which they couldn't fix, they only service and don't repair air con systems. Anyway after about 45 mins of taking out old gas and putting new gas, testing etc they realised there was a fault and said they wouldn't charge me which I thought was very fair of them.
While I was waiting in reception a guy walks in an says I brought a tyre in yesterday (Sunday) for a puncture repair and left it with you for collection today. A minute later a guy comes back with his repaired tyre and says it took us longer than it should have done to find and repair the puncture so we won't charge you. I thought that was amazing. The customer wasn't inconvenienced at all as he simply dropped the tyre off and collected the following day and got it done FOC in the process, brilliant CS.
While I was waiting in reception a guy walks in an says I brought a tyre in yesterday (Sunday) for a puncture repair and left it with you for collection today. A minute later a guy comes back with his repaired tyre and says it took us longer than it should have done to find and repair the puncture so we won't charge you. I thought that was amazing. The customer wasn't inconvenienced at all as he simply dropped the tyre off and collected the following day and got it done FOC in the process, brilliant CS.
Mr-B said:
A timely topic, I was there yesterday for an aircon re-gas (£42) but there was something wrong with my air-con which they couldn't fix, they only service and don't repair air con systems. Anyway after about 45 mins of taking out old gas and putting new gas, testing etc they realised there was a fault and said they wouldn't charge me which I thought was very fair of them.
While I was waiting in reception a guy walks in an says I brought a tyre in yesterday (Sunday) for a puncture repair and left it with you for collection today. A minute later a guy comes back with his repaired tyre and says it took us longer than it should have done to find and repair the puncture so we won't charge you. I thought that was amazing. The customer wasn't inconvenienced at all as he simply dropped the tyre off and collected the following day and got it done FOC in the process, brilliant CS.
I'd best get down there smart-ish and get my aircon regassed.While I was waiting in reception a guy walks in an says I brought a tyre in yesterday (Sunday) for a puncture repair and left it with you for collection today. A minute later a guy comes back with his repaired tyre and says it took us longer than it should have done to find and repair the puncture so we won't charge you. I thought that was amazing. The customer wasn't inconvenienced at all as he simply dropped the tyre off and collected the following day and got it done FOC in the process, brilliant CS.
Sounds like they'll be out of business by the end of the week.
My other half only uses F1 Autocentres, albeit without any greater rationale other than "they've always been nice".
Their service has been fine and, despite letting her deal with her own MOTs and services, I've always vetted the work they wish to do and it's always been entirely reasonable.
However - she's had the car serviced at F1 for the past 4-5 years. Unrelated to that, she had problems which required the AA to get involved (only a minor breakdown, mind). The AA man noted that the cam belt hadn't been done in the cars history, and at its age, the Clio should have been done by then.
I looked and true enough, the cam belt should be replaced at one of the prior services, but had obviously been entirely overlooked.
It's hardly an exotic car, you'd expect a place like that to either by familiar with the bubble-shape Clio service schedule, or at least consult one when conducting a service. That's my only complaint.
Any work we've needed doing on the car, they've been fine with (and were fine when instructed to change the cam belt, fair enough); but the question mark for me is over their due diligence.
The girlfriend doesn't check what needs doing for each service, it seems. She just throws the car at them and pays the bill when it's done. So in our experience they're fine if you're happy to tell them what needs doing.
Their service has been fine and, despite letting her deal with her own MOTs and services, I've always vetted the work they wish to do and it's always been entirely reasonable.
However - she's had the car serviced at F1 for the past 4-5 years. Unrelated to that, she had problems which required the AA to get involved (only a minor breakdown, mind). The AA man noted that the cam belt hadn't been done in the cars history, and at its age, the Clio should have been done by then.
I looked and true enough, the cam belt should be replaced at one of the prior services, but had obviously been entirely overlooked.
It's hardly an exotic car, you'd expect a place like that to either by familiar with the bubble-shape Clio service schedule, or at least consult one when conducting a service. That's my only complaint.
Any work we've needed doing on the car, they've been fine with (and were fine when instructed to change the cam belt, fair enough); but the question mark for me is over their due diligence.
The girlfriend doesn't check what needs doing for each service, it seems. She just throws the car at them and pays the bill when it's done. So in our experience they're fine if you're happy to tell them what needs doing.
2 new tyres please, sir.
OK, we an do a free alignment check for you while it is on the ramps, we only charge if the alignment needs adjusting
knock yourself out
Sir, it looks like you need new front shock
Looks to me like the CV boot has split and is throwing grease UP the shock
I think you need new shocks, that's definitely oil from the shocks.
I have a man I trust work on the car, he can look at it.
OK
That is £xxx.xx plus the alignment
You didn't do the alignment because there is no point checking it now if it has to come to bits to change the shocks
Hmm, ok, that's just £xxx.xx then please.
The car was serviced and motd a few days later, it got fitted with new CV joint boots and has passed several MOT's since with the original shocks.
It had another set of tyres at a National Tyre type place and they wanted to put new barkes on it. Needless to say it passed it's MOT 3 months later with no advisories.
I f
king hate these tyre chains, why can't they just sell me tyres?
OK, we an do a free alignment check for you while it is on the ramps, we only charge if the alignment needs adjusting
knock yourself out
Sir, it looks like you need new front shock
Looks to me like the CV boot has split and is throwing grease UP the shock
I think you need new shocks, that's definitely oil from the shocks.
I have a man I trust work on the car, he can look at it.
OK
That is £xxx.xx plus the alignment
You didn't do the alignment because there is no point checking it now if it has to come to bits to change the shocks
Hmm, ok, that's just £xxx.xx then please.
The car was serviced and motd a few days later, it got fitted with new CV joint boots and has passed several MOT's since with the original shocks.
It had another set of tyres at a National Tyre type place and they wanted to put new barkes on it. Needless to say it passed it's MOT 3 months later with no advisories.
I f
king hate these tyre chains, why can't they just sell me tyres?Thanks all
EDIT: I've been reading up on National, and it seems they have a similarly terrible reputation to Kwik Fit. Are they really that bad? I've now read 10+ reports of them not changing the filter, using unbranded oil, threading bolts, not screwing things back on properly, etc. The oil change there seems like good value, but there's a large element of risk involved as they apparently employ people with no clue and no qualifications who don't give a st. Anyone got any experience of the Colchester branch? I'm fairly cynical about the validity of online reviews, as only the disgruntled customers tend to post reviews, but I'm struggling to find anything good about National at all, whereas in comparison, F1 seems to have a pretty decent reputation.
V6Alfisti said:
What Oil do they use?
I find KwikFit e.t.c in my area actually quite good but you use the services that are good value.
I don't think it is actually that great value (depending on the car).
The £99 short service for the 2.5 includes the below. Basically an oil change and basic checks. You can get most cars into National for £30-40 for an oil change (Castrol) and filter and they will check all the tyres/brakes e.t.c However this won't result in a stamp in the book.
STAGE 1: VEHICLE ON FLOOR
1. Check exterior lights operation
2. Check wipers condition and operation
3. Check front washer operation and top up
4. Check rear washer and wiper for condition and operation
5. Check condition and tension of fan / aux. belt where visible
6. Check instrument panel for warning lights and report
STAGE 2: VEHICLE ON RAMP
7. Check and report Wheel Alignment or Geometry
8. Check wheel bearings for excessive play or noise
9. Check tyres size, condition, tread depth, and fitment including spare
10. Check shock absorbers and spring condition (where visible)
11. Check all road wheels for correct balance (including spare)
12. Check and adjust tyre pressures (including spare)
13. Check condition of brake pads and shoes
14. Check condition of brake discs and drums
15. Check exhaust system
STAGE 3: SERVICE TASKS
16. Replace engine oil and engine oil filter
17. Check coolant level and top up if required
18. Check anti-freeze strength MIN -20
19. Check brake fluid level and top up if required
STAGE 4: ROAD TEST
20. Road test
Sounds good. I might get the air con service done at F1, and get an oil change at National. I'm not bothered about a stamp in the book as it's been self serviced for most of its life (last stamp was at around 40k, the car is now on 91k) so the stamp in the service book is near enough useless by now. I also like the fact that they specify what oil they use, which happens to be the same oil I bought a couple of containers of a while ago which is nice, as when I top it up, I know it's the same stuff I'm adding to it. It's 41.85 for Castrol 10W40 at National which seems fairly reasonable. Is the engine flush worth going for, for an extra £8? I find KwikFit e.t.c in my area actually quite good but you use the services that are good value.
I don't think it is actually that great value (depending on the car).
The £99 short service for the 2.5 includes the below. Basically an oil change and basic checks. You can get most cars into National for £30-40 for an oil change (Castrol) and filter and they will check all the tyres/brakes e.t.c However this won't result in a stamp in the book.
STAGE 1: VEHICLE ON FLOOR
1. Check exterior lights operation
2. Check wipers condition and operation
3. Check front washer operation and top up
4. Check rear washer and wiper for condition and operation
5. Check condition and tension of fan / aux. belt where visible
6. Check instrument panel for warning lights and report
STAGE 2: VEHICLE ON RAMP
7. Check and report Wheel Alignment or Geometry
8. Check wheel bearings for excessive play or noise
9. Check tyres size, condition, tread depth, and fitment including spare
10. Check shock absorbers and spring condition (where visible)
11. Check all road wheels for correct balance (including spare)
12. Check and adjust tyre pressures (including spare)
13. Check condition of brake pads and shoes
14. Check condition of brake discs and drums
15. Check exhaust system
STAGE 3: SERVICE TASKS
16. Replace engine oil and engine oil filter
17. Check coolant level and top up if required
18. Check anti-freeze strength MIN -20
19. Check brake fluid level and top up if required
STAGE 4: ROAD TEST
20. Road test
EDIT: I've been reading up on National, and it seems they have a similarly terrible reputation to Kwik Fit. Are they really that bad? I've now read 10+ reports of them not changing the filter, using unbranded oil, threading bolts, not screwing things back on properly, etc. The oil change there seems like good value, but there's a large element of risk involved as they apparently employ people with no clue and no qualifications who don't give a s
t. Anyone got any experience of the Colchester branch? I'm fairly cynical about the validity of online reviews, as only the disgruntled customers tend to post reviews, but I'm struggling to find anything good about National at all, whereas in comparison, F1 seems to have a pretty decent reputation. Edited by George7 on Tuesday 16th July 23:23
George7 said:
Sounds good. I might get the air con service done at F1, and get an oil change at National. I'm not bothered about a stamp in the book as it's been self serviced for most of its life (last stamp was at around 40k, the car is now on 91k) so the stamp in the service book is near enough useless by now. I also like the fact that they specify what oil they use, which happens to be the same oil I bought a couple of containers of a while ago which is nice, as when I top it up, I know it's the same stuff I'm adding to it. It's 41.85 for Castrol 10W40 at National which seems fairly reasonable. Is the engine flush worth going for, for an extra £8?
EDIT: I've been reading up on National, and it seems they have a similarly terrible reputation to Kwik Fit. Are they really that bad? I've now read 10+ reports of them not changing the filter, using unbranded oil, threading bolts, not screwing things back on properly, etc. The oil change there seems like good value, but there's a large element of risk involved as they apparently employ people with no clue and no qualifications who don't give a st. Anyone got any experience of the Colchester branch? I'm fairly cynical about the validity of online reviews, as only the disgruntled customers tend to post reviews, but I'm struggling to find anything good about National at all, whereas in comparison, F1 seems to have a pretty decent reputation.
When I used them, they were fine (Bristol branch). However if the undertray needs to come off, I think they charge £10. I personally never bother with an engine flush.EDIT: I've been reading up on National, and it seems they have a similarly terrible reputation to Kwik Fit. Are they really that bad? I've now read 10+ reports of them not changing the filter, using unbranded oil, threading bolts, not screwing things back on properly, etc. The oil change there seems like good value, but there's a large element of risk involved as they apparently employ people with no clue and no qualifications who don't give a s
t. Anyone got any experience of the Colchester branch? I'm fairly cynical about the validity of online reviews, as only the disgruntled customers tend to post reviews, but I'm struggling to find anything good about National at all, whereas in comparison, F1 seems to have a pretty decent reputation. Edited by George7 on Tuesday 16th July 23:23
Booked in for an aircon regas on the Sportka, no issues and completed on time, happy customer.
Couple of weeks later
Booked in the Leon for an aircon regas and a couple of new tyres as they beat every price online. Waited a couple of hours longer than expected despite being constantly reassured it was in progress (it's not, I can see through the window that there's no one working on the car). Put it down to just job scheduling and gave them the benefit of the doubt.
Several months later, suspected Lambda sensor fault on the Sportka but I didn't have a ford compatible reader to hand. Booked in for a diagnostics reading on the first appointment, they then made the wife wait three hours before they looked at the car. Get a call 40 minutes after they start asking where the OBD port is as they can't find it.
We will never send our cars there again.
Couple of weeks later
Booked in the Leon for an aircon regas and a couple of new tyres as they beat every price online. Waited a couple of hours longer than expected despite being constantly reassured it was in progress (it's not, I can see through the window that there's no one working on the car). Put it down to just job scheduling and gave them the benefit of the doubt.
Several months later, suspected Lambda sensor fault on the Sportka but I didn't have a ford compatible reader to hand. Booked in for a diagnostics reading on the first appointment, they then made the wife wait three hours before they looked at the car. Get a call 40 minutes after they start asking where the OBD port is as they can't find it.
We will never send our cars there again.
Just booked the air con related stuff at F1 and I think I'll get the oil change done at National at another time. I just hope the air con just needs a re-gas, or I have a long, hot summer of driving coming up 
In the current heat, I tend to just open all 4 windows, and it's quite refreshing, but at motorway speeds it can be a little tiresome.
In the current heat, I tend to just open all 4 windows, and it's quite refreshing, but at motorway speeds it can be a little tiresome. A few years back I borrowed my mums car for the first time ever and the bloody exhaust decided to lunch itself. Spoke with mother and she said get whatever repair I though best, went into an f1 centre to get a quote and they were really good, they did a really neat repair job telling me the rest of the exhaust system was in good nick, so why replace it
Never used them since, but that's because I've not had the need
I feel that if i had gone to kwik fit they would have probably condemned the car
Never used them since, but that's because I've not had the need
I feel that if i had gone to kwik fit they would have probably condemned the car
Basingstoke Formula1 Autocentres never again!!!!!
I bought full set of tyres for my car from them as i purchase 4 months ago brand new alloy wheels for my car so i decide to get good tyres Goodyear eagle F1
I mention that the alloy wheels are nearly brand new and can you take good care of them when you gonna change tyres as there is no any damage and my car is my pride and joy as I'm very often guest of car shows (south mimms, japfest, trax silverstone etc.)
When i got tyres fitted i found that wheel balance weight been removed by somme hammer and chisel!all 4 been scratched very bad and one event worst down to alloy
I show them what they did and they sad that they been removed them by knife!! And its normal to that scratches or so and they will not take a blame as is not visible like outside rim,
In nowadays all garages used a plastic tool to remove balances and not damage alloy wheel
Just wrote a complain to main manager will never recommend them to any one who's take care about their car.
I bought full set of tyres for my car from them as i purchase 4 months ago brand new alloy wheels for my car so i decide to get good tyres Goodyear eagle F1
I mention that the alloy wheels are nearly brand new and can you take good care of them when you gonna change tyres as there is no any damage and my car is my pride and joy as I'm very often guest of car shows (south mimms, japfest, trax silverstone etc.)
When i got tyres fitted i found that wheel balance weight been removed by somme hammer and chisel!all 4 been scratched very bad and one event worst down to alloy
I show them what they did and they sad that they been removed them by knife!! And its normal to that scratches or so and they will not take a blame as is not visible like outside rim,
In nowadays all garages used a plastic tool to remove balances and not damage alloy wheel
Just wrote a complain to main manager will never recommend them to any one who's take care about their car.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff