Formula One Autocentres - Birkenhead Reviews 

I took my VW Caravelle to the Birkenhead branch to have the front suspension repaired, including replacement of the front springs and top mounts, at a cost of around £880.

Shortly after collecting the vehicle, I noticed a knocking noise from the driver’s side front suspension, particularly over speed bumps and uneven roads. I returned to the branch, where I was told that the work had been checked and was fine, and that the noise was probably coming from an engine mount, which they said they did not carry out repairs on.

The noise continued, so I sought a second opinion. An independent garage found that the offside front lower arm rear bolt nut was missing and the bolt was hanging out. They secured the loose bolt and fitted the missing nut, and the knocking noise disappeared immediately.

The most worrying part is that I had already driven several hundred miles, including a long motorway journey to Newcastle, with a suspension component left unsecured after the repair. I was completely unaware that I had been driving a vehicle in that condition.

Following a formal complaint, Formula One’s Regional Manager investigated the matter and agreed to reimburse both the independent diagnostic fee and the repair carried out by the other garage, as I no longer had confidence in returning the vehicle to the Birkenhead branch.

I appreciate that the company eventually reimbursed my costs, but that does not change the fact that this situation should never have happened. A suspension bolt left unsecured is a serious safety issue, and I find it deeply concerning that I was initially told the noise was caused by an engine mount when that clearly wasn’t the case.

My advice to anyone using Formula One is simple: if your vehicle develops any unusual noises immediately after a repair, don’t ignore them and don’t be afraid to seek a second opinion. In my case, it may have prevented a much more serious outcome.

I took my Smart Fortwo into F1 for repair as It appeared I had a leak from the rear brake cylinders. They replaced these along with rear brake shoes. Upon test drive I was informed that there was no brakes after they changed the cylinders (there was at least brakes beforehand albeit with a leak!!) they investigated further and said that there was traces of brake fluid leak around the Brake Master Cylinder or possibly servo and they were unable to assist any further - I was left with a 450 bill and told that I would have to recover the car to another garage, not helpful.


Having recovered the car to a nearby garage for further investigation it was found that all was needed was for them to bleed the brakes correctly, no leaks at all (could the previous leak be where they have added and spilt brake fluid to the master cylinder reservoir ??) ... I ended up paying an additional 350 pounds for additional diagnosis, recovery, and brake fluid for a job that F1 should have done themselves if they were not so incompetent.

Very poor service anything more than changing tyres they obviously cannot handle.

Booking and payment process is really good and I like the fixed payments with no quibbles.

What I don't like is being called and advised all my tires need replacing, along with all brake pads and discs and a coil spring at a cost of over 1k, when my car has been MOT'd two weeks before and I know it's perfectly safe.

Luckily I'm savvy enough not to take advice from any advice without a second opinion, but others may have been a bit more panicked and how 'unsafe' there car was deemed to be.

In fairness there was no pushiness to get the work done, just questionable advice.

Absolutely fantastic service! its the 2nd time I've been to the Birkenhead branch and both times they've been really polite, didn't rush me and talked me through everything. This morning my tyre pressure warning light came on whilst driving my daughter to nursery, massive nail in the tyre. Went in at 815 today whilst they guys were opening up, said I knew they weren't open yet but any chance of being fit in, mentioned I did have a full size spare if need be. He took my keys and said leave it with me. 20 minutes later he'd changed my tyre for the extra I had in my boot, didn't charge a penny! Not even labour. I don't know if they felt sorry for me (its been a very stressful week and maybe it showed) but they couldn't have been nicer and sent me on my way. Made the start of my work day a million times better! Thank you.

Took our Kuga there (Birkenhead) for the Aircon to be Regassed and they pulled the car in, Didn’t even lift the bonnet up & come to me and said the Aircon has a Leak in it, Took the car to Ford who confirmed it didn’t have a leak at all, Absolute Liars, Why didn’t they just say they couldn’t be bothered to do it.
The Staff here are jokers
Don’t Go Near.

car was in for a full service and mot on Friday 20 th March. The mileage at the time of service was 37693.
This morning the oil light came on. My wife brought the car straight home. Mileage currently 37737. A total of 44 miles since it was serviced on Friday.
I phoned. Birkenhead office this morning. A technician came to the house. He checked the oil and confirmed it was low and had not been filled correctly at the time of service. He has taken photos of the dip stick showing low oil.

Since then your area manager has told Alex to imply that this is an engine fault that may have burnt off the oil. IN 44 Miles????!!!

There is no evidence of smoke from the engine or leaks your technician also confirmed this today.
I would like a full refund of the service cost and the oil and filter to be replaced again. As I'm not confident that the rest of the vehicle was serviced correctly.
I would like to add that Alex from Birkenhead has been very helpful however the area manager and his secretary are very unhelpful.

Regards

Booked online for puncture repair, all good no issues paid the £22. Arrived at the centre in Birkenhead, Wirral and the staff member says 'I cannot fit you in today ' error what ! The online booking system does not know what cars are booked in the center! Well don't offer online booking then! I would understand if there was cars out of the door but not one single car in the bays or the carpark. Absolutely shocking service to be fair and I will avoid going forward, a shame as I use the chester branch often and thought the new site in Birkenhead would offer the same level of service but obviously not

I highly recommend the Birkenhead branch, they did a perfect job with professional, knowledgeable customer service, got my car back same day.
The interest free pay in 4 option was a lifesaver.
Thank you all so much.

“I went to the Birkenhead (Wirral) branch of Formula One Autocentres for an MOT and I am extremely disappointed with my experience.
After the MOT, I was given a quotation for repairs that was shockingly expensive. I checked the exact same brand parts at other garages locally, and the price difference was huge. It honestly felt like I was being massively overcharged.
This kind of pricing completely destroys trust. Customers should not have to double-check everything just to avoid paying inflated prices. I strongly advise anyone visiting this branch to get a second opinion before agreeing to any repairs.
I will definitely not be returning.”

The guys at formula 1 breaking Head were really helpful when I was having issues with my car. Explain things in a way that I could understand them and fitted me in really quickly so I could get back on the road ASAP. Hopefully the next time I have to pop by. We'll just be for my mot and service. Thanks guys! ☺️

Fantastic helpful service, staff knowledgeable and really nice to deal with, really efficient service from start to finish

Took my car for a service 1 month after passing MOT, only advisory was break discs. Purposely didn’t tell them this was on my MOT to see if it would be picked up. Also on the day message on dash for bulb out on DS. Call from guys about 3 hours later and gave me a quote for work
£800
Break pads/discs
2 tyres
Tracking off on all 4 tyres
No mention of bulb
Apologised and corrected the quote to add bulb.
Collected the car took straight to Nation Tyres and Autocare 1 mile away who did the MOT to challenge the tyres and nothing wrong with tyres totally legal no details or depth of tread on paperwork! Odd, if you are telling me my tyres are illegal then make your paperwork match! Also felt the manager was passive aggressive that may have been cos I am female and challenged him about my MOT? I thought he could see a database? My bad. Anyway £150 I won’t get back not convinced anything was done if I’m honest. I’d say stick to what you know and you get what you pay for cheap isn’t always best! Thought I’d give them a shot because I could have passed so much custom their way..I’ll stick to National Tyres and Auto care. Who are genuine and honest