Formula One Autocentres - Swindon Opiniones 227

I didn’t catch the fellas name working on the deal at the Swindon branch but I can’t sing his praises enough, this goes for everyone the knowledge was spot on.

100% will be taking me car there from now on.

A genuinely poor experience from start to finish which started with a simple brake change.

I took my BMW 1 Series to Formula One Autocentres in Swindon to have the brake pads and discs replaced. The work was completed, but immediately after collecting the car I noticed a metallic knocking noise coming from the front right wheel arch, mainly when turning left.

I returned the car and was told the issue was caused by a bulge in the tyre, so they replaced the tyre. I drove away and the knocking noise was still there, so I turned around and brought it back again.

Despite repeatedly pointing out that the brakes had only just been worked on by them a week earlier, and suggesting they re-check the brake components, I was told the problem was actually the suspension arms needing replacement and that the knocking noises appearing after the brake change was purely coincidental. They claimed this would explain noises when braking or going over speed bumps - except the noise never happened under those conditions. It only happened when turning left, which immediately made me question the diagnosis.

Even after asking multiple times for the brake work to be checked again, they continued insisting the suspension arms were the issue, quoting around £330 before labour. At that point I decided to get a second opinion elsewhere.

I then took the car to Royal Garage in Cheney Manor Swindon , where they quickly identified the real problem: one of the bolts on the front wheel assembly had been left loose. They tightened it while replacing a headlight for me, and the knocking noise disappeared completely.

Not only were Formula One Autocentres wrong in their diagnosis, but the entire process was exhausting. I dealt with the assistant manager, the site manager Mark, and even the regional manager who happened to be there one day, and I still had to repeatedly explain the full situation over and over again just to get any help.

Based on my experience, I would strongly recommend avoiding this garage.

Absolutely awful service. Communication is beyond poor, took 4 hours for a service, didn't tell me about any MAJOR issues, put the car through the MOT and called me up 30min before close saying it failed on 4x shock absorbers not to mention getting hold of them is a workout in itself. Tried to get more money out of me by saying they didn't have any parts in stock from their suppliers, telling me main dealer parts are £700 odd + labor.

Took my car back and got it retested elsewhere & passed with only "light misting of oil" on them, advisory. Wasted my whole weekend as I couldn't drive the car due to the FAIL certificate online.|

Definitely do not recommend, couldn't have been a worst service. Attitude of the manager is awful.

Poor service. It had taken almost 2 hours to change 3 tyres and do the tracking. When viewing work being carried out Technicians stood around car eating breakfast. Not the sort of customer service I would expect knowing people can view what’s going on. Have used other local tyre suppliers and they have been a lot more efficient and professional. Don’t recommend!

Very friendly service, quick and efficient! Very professional, man who worked there called Gary was very lovely and got my car fixed out for me! Highly recommend!

Great customer service and very friendly staff all around. Despite being extremely busy Nathan fixed everything the same day and didn’t even charge me for fixing a minor fault he found. He kept me updated throughout the day, was polite and to the point on the phone and in the shop. Definitely the best I’ve found in the Swindon area for price, customer service and honesty.

Couple of days back I visited Formula 1 autocentre for my car's servicing and MOT. The guy at the Front Desk Nathan was exceptional with his service. He was very polite and swift in attending us. The work done on my car was also excellent. Really happy with their Service.

I started using this company last year. I was so impressed by the customer service and workmanship that I have continued to use them since. I have always found all staff to be courteous and polite. Nathan in particular has always been extremely helpful. He clearly runs a tight ship and is always very busy. I had a minor accident last night and called for advice. Nathan made time for a quick look so that he could advise me correctly. I will take my car back in a few days for full inspection.

You need to get rid of Nathan , he is abusive and to be quite honest the most vile creature to exist .

You clearly aren't acknowledging the complaints so I hope the police do .

I booked and paid for an MOT on 2 December 2025. I attended the appointment on Wednesday 7 January, the same day my MOT expired, only to be informed on arrival that the MOT examiner had left in early December.

Despite this, my booking remained active, my payment was retained, and no one contacted me at any point to advise that the MOT would not be going ahead. On the contrary, I received two automated reminders, including one on the day of the appointment, which reasonably led me to believe the booking was valid.

As a result, I was left without a valid MOT through no fault of my own. There was no meaningful assistance, no reasonable alternative offered, and no acknowledgment of the inconvenience or distress caused, either at branch level or from head office.

This represents a clear failure in communication, customer service, and basic administrative competence. Based on my experience, I would not recommend this company due to its unreliability and lack of accountability.

Just had new front tyres, purchased from Asda fitted by f1 Swindon. Could not have been more helpful. The manager, a South African poor chap. Was great, as was the technician who changed the tyres. Who informed me yes there was a screw in the tyre as I had thought.
Well done f1 autocentre Swindon.

Excellent service as always from the Swindon Elgin Drive branch,
Vehicle went straight in the workshop and had the tyres fitted that i ordered online through their website, fitted my new tps sensors at the same time and all done with no issues, great service, Many thanks

Fabulous Chap Mark running a smooth service and happy to help when issues arise.
All the staff are friendly and super helpful with questions
Thank you keep it up !

AVOID THIS PLACE THE MANAGER IS ABSOLUTELY VILE. Almost reversed into me in the car park, I’m coming around a blind corner within the car park speed limit and because he almost reversed into me, he has accused me of “driving so fast it was scary” hurling abuse at me in-front of his staff and other customers. I said I personally wouldn’t speak to my customers like that as a business owner. So he told his staff not to serve me. Which is fine I’ve returned to my car quite shaken up at how I was spoken to and intimidated by an old man whose name is NATHAN (I am a young female). Not professional at all to hurl abuse across a car park and then follow me inside a building. Absolute abuse of power and if I was this company I’d be ashamed to even employ this person.

Just want to big Thankyou to the guys at f1 today. Service was 10/10.
Done full service and tyres on front plus rear brakes for me.
Quick service today and very professional.
Thankyou to you all. Great service and happy customer 👍🏽😊

12/06/2025 Had 4 x tyres fitted, balanced and tracking done. Along with a full service on my 2017 Ford focus Titanium. Around £700 cost in all.

Subsequently discovered after they did the work that all 4 tyres had been dangerously overinflated. 70 psi in 2 and the other 2 above 50. 31ps being the correct pressure. Took the vehicle back as I wanted the tracking re done as no way it would be correct if they had done it with the tyres being over inflated. Time wasted and a feeling of not trusting the work done.

Month later, on the first motorway journey the car had done since they worked on it, tpms system warns me I have an issue. Turns out the front left tyre valve stem leaks at motorway speeds. The stem did not seal once the car got above 50 mph. This happens on a weekend of course.

Come monday, phone Swindon F1. First problem, no one wants to answer the phone. 2nd problem, yeah no mate, can't do that until tomorrow afternoon. For a 20 min job that should not have needed to be done if they were competent in the first place.

Popped to Halfords got it done without a booking in 30 mins. cost 25 quid.

I have no trust in F1 or the capability or quality of their work. Wondering if I should replace the other 3 tyre valves now.

Brilliant service from start to finish, got my car booked in the day after I initially called, work completed the same day . Nathan was extremely polite and helpful and went above and beyond to fit me in Would highly recommend

I took my van in a couple of weeks ago and Nathan (I think that was his name but he is South African) was so brilliant! He fixed the noise and went the extra mile to ensure he and the team made sure my van was safe and sorted! There was another slight problem and he made the room for me to bring it in a few days later to ensure it was fixed before I went away. Excellent service and always upfront and honest about everything! Couldn’t fault them - I’ve always had a great experience with F1 but this time was extra good! Thank you!

This place went above and beyond to help me get my car through its MOT. They were extremely understanding and patient as I had to source parts and get another part refurbished. The manager, Nathan, and Gary were absolute lifesavers, and the mechanics who worked on my car were incredibly helpful and friendly, showing me the issues and offering useful advice on solutions. I cannot recommend this place highly enough—it’s rare to find a garage you can trust to prioritize your interests rather than focusing on how much money they can make from you. The final bill was very reasonable considering the amount of work they did. My car now has a fresh MOT, and I’m so glad I chose this place for the work. My family and I will be using this garage exclusively for all our servicing and MOTs in the future. Well done, F1 Autocentre Swindon!

I've been having issues with my back tyre deflating fast, even after changing the tyre a couple of times.
After getting an outrageous quote from Honda I had F1 recommended to me.
They had me come in to check the wheel, and told me they could refub it instead. Really kind and patient, taking the time to explain it to me.
Booked me in later that day, and had my car back to me in no time. Couldn't ask for better.