Formula One Autocentres - Camberley Reviews 

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Excellent service from Yami and the team at Formula One Auto Centre in Camberley. They did a great job changing the front tyres on my Toyota iQ. The whole process was quick, professional and hassle-free, and the team were friendly and helpful throughout.

Really pleased with the service and would definitely recommend Yami and the team. Thank you! 👍

I write to formally express my dissatisfaction regarding my recent experience at Formula 1 Autocentre concerning the tyres I had ordered and paid for in advance.

I arrived early, as per their instructions, to ensure that I would not miss my scheduled appointment. However, I found myself waiting for approximately ten minutes before receiving any acknowledgment of my presense. Regrettably, I was subsequently informed that my tyres had not been delivered. The demeanour of the staff member I interacted with did not contribute positively to my experience, which exacerbated my frustration.

In light of this unfortunate circumstance, I requested a refund and have since chosen to purchase my tyres from Merityre.

I believe that constructive feedback is crucial for improvement, and I wanted to share my experience in the hope that it will assist in enhancing the service they provide.

Dismissive and uninterested staff. I booked my nephew's car in to have front tyres replaced as both very worn and was due to drive back to N.Devon. After making the appointment I rang to ask if they would be able to check tracking after fitting new tyres as wanted to understand why they had worn so quickly since buying - they responded 'no problem - just ask when you drop off'. When I did this I was told there wasn't a ramp free to check tracking. They replaced tyres and actually one of the wheel bearings had gone and was very dangerous to be driven. Would not recommend the Camberley branch one bit.

My experience with the Formula One Autocentres Camberley branch was extremely disappointing and left me with serious concerns about the roadworthiness of my vehicle, as well as the standard of workmanship, communication and professionalism.
I booked my Vauxhall Mokka in for a full service and specifically told them that my brakes had always been squeaking and asked for this to be investigated. During the service, I was advised that the rear coil springs and track rods needed replacing, which I authorised.
When I collected my vehicle, the brake squeak was still present and a new vibration had developed between 4th and 5th gear, which had never been there before. I returned the car because I was concerned it was not driving correctly and, in my opinion, was not in a condition I considered safe to drive.
The brakes were subsequently dismantled and cleaned, but the squeaking remained. I was then told they did not know what was causing the problem and that I should take the vehicle back to the garage that had fitted the pads and discs the previous year. I found this unacceptable, particularly as I had specifically reported the brake problem when I originally booked the car in.
I also have serious concerns about whether my vehicle was road-tested at all after the original repairs to the rear coil springs and track rods. I do not believe it was test-driven before being returned to me, particularly as the new vibration between 4th and 5th gear only became apparent after I collected the vehicle.
I was also given conflicting information about the vibration. I was told there was a missing rubber seal under the airbox. The garage kept my car from Saturday afternoon until Tuesday. I was then told that the replacement seal had arrived but did not fit, and that a temporary repair had been carried out using tissues and rubber gloves to support the airbox. I was told the car could be collected in this condition.
I was not prepared to drive my vehicle like this and was left without transport.
I was extremely concerned by the attitude of the Deputy Manager, who I found very argumentative and, in my opinion, completely unprofessional. When I asked about the removed rear coil spring, I was told he had kicked the spring parts across the workshop floor and could only locate part of it.
I also asked whether the brake fluid had been checked as part of the service. He said he did not know, removed the cap, dipped his finger into the brake fluid and said it was “full up”. This did not give me confidence that the service checks had been carried out properly.
I felt I had no option but to escalate my complaint to Customer Services.
Thankfully, my experience changed completely when Dean, the Area Manager, became involved. He personally travelled to the Camberley branch, thoroughly inspected the vehicle and the previous work, removed the temporary repair, fitted the correct seal, resolved the brake squeak and carried out a thorough and lengthy road test before returning my car to me.
I am extremely grateful to Dean for making my car roadworthy again and for allowing me to get my vehicle back. His professionalism, knowledge and commitment to resolving the issues were exceptional. He is a real credit to Formula One Autocentres.
However, it should never have required intervention from an Area Manager to resolve issues that should have been dealt with correctly at branch level.
I would strongly recommend that the Camberley branch reviews its staff training, management approach and quality control, and ensures customers' vehicles are being worked on by experienced technicians.
Until Dean corrected the issues, I did not feel my vehicle was roadworthy and, in my opinion, this situation could have put people's lives at unnecessary risk.
I am very grateful to Dean for putting everything right, but I do not recommend the Camberley branch at all. Based on my experience, I would stay away.

Wanted to have my air con re gassed this morning after I enquired on Friday to book it in for a time slot but was told just to come in and wait my turn. Got there this morning and only one member of staff in attendance who said he wasn't able to do any work by himself so the centre was shut today!! Tried all other nearby centres but either they didn't have the new type gas which in it self is poor or no staff. Very disappointed as I had 2 tyres fitted on Friday and was supposed to have had it done then and also had been told they could not look at my aircon. Not an acceptable service

Great place, serviced my car to great standards. Yomi and Mark was great. Thank you

Excellent service from Yomi twice now thank you for excellent customer service

Got four 235 55 19 V MICHELIN CROSSCLIMATES for a bargain and also received a cashback. Top marks for the garage to fix them, very happy with my tyres. Many more miles to go for Michelins.

I would have rated 0 of I could. Nothing less that discussting client service from "Manager".

Bought Tyres online Mon 30th Mar, car booked in on Sat 4th April - No tyres had been delivered. No help from the team on duty in fixing the situation. Basically our problem! Assistant manager with NO customer skills - I quote "Stop waffling braf" and swearing to a CUSTOMER!! The "experience" was disappointing and absolutely shocking! Formula One Autocentre shame on you!

Pre-booked MoT and service. Dropped off for 8.30am only to be told they have no MOT testing staff, as someone phoned in sick.
I was provided a refund and decided to go elsewhere, but I have lost a days holiday in the proces, been upset with the total lack of service and alternative solutions and suffered the inconvenience of having to find another MOT centre. One big waste of time.
I leave this review in the hope that the senior management will make improvements. I am doubtful that such a culture exists however, having called the customer service line and been left hanging for minutes ( I gave up in the end)
Unsurprisingly, I wont go there again and would not recommend them.

I booked my car in for an interim service - something simple, change the oil and filter - top up fluids.
Dropped my car off 10am on a Sunday at their Camberley branch in Surrey. It got to 4:08pm and an email landed in my inbox which was the invoice - service carried out etc - no call to say the car was ready so I phoned them. The guy on the end of the phone said I was lucky as they closed at 4 and he was there still doing paperwork and if I was close - I could go and get my car. I remonstrated - "sorry mate, I was on the tyres all day didn't get a chance to call" I needed my car for the next day!!

So, I rush down there and collect my car. I am driving with my kids in the car up the M3 motorway to go home and a noise is coming from under the car. I stop in a refuge area and I can see the rear section of my weather shield is dangling down - so took it easy going home.

I returned to F1 Autocentre Camberley and told them what had happened. They said "ah yeah, your undertray was damaged"

They bodged trying to sort out the back section flapping around which came off again..

I then went back a second time - this time they admitted they took my weathershield off, didnt put it back on and threw it away! then I watched a technician literally rip the remaining section off the car breaking it into 3 pieces!!!

Its going to cost a lot to get a new one and fix it - don't bother going - terrible attitude, terrible workmanship, if you don't want your car to get damaged, don't go to these absolute cowboys - complaint ongoing!

Great branch! Jason the tester is top notch. Explained the MOT to me as I’m a novice to all this car stuff. Great service.
Steve B

I paid over £1,113 for a catalytic converter replacement at Formula One, and the engine management light continued to come on immediately afterwards. Every time I returned, I was given a different explanation and told it was “absolutely fine” and nothing to worry about. An independent garage has now confirmed that the catalytic converter fitted is faulty and needs replacing. When I raised this with them, I was told the part is out of warranty and that it’s now my problem — and that there is “no proof” I ever brought the car back, despite several visits.

This is extremely poor customer service and a complete lack of accountability. I now have a car I cannot sell, my son can no longer use for his driving test and I face another large bill to fix something I already paid Formula One to do - if they did actually replace the part at all. I also felt dismissed and taken advantage of, particularly as a woman. Very disappointing from a business that claims to be reputable and family-run.

Came into Formula 1 Autocentre in Camberley for some new tyres, and Ryan and the team ended up going on a full adventure under my car. Mid-job they spotted my brake pads were basically auditioning for early retirement, so they sorted those — and then discovered the caliper had decided to pack in too. Absolute chaos.

The caliper piston wouldn’t come out at all. Full stubborn mode. These guys tried everything short of bribing it with a biscuit. Add in a bonnet latch that acted like it was welded shut, and honestly my car was doing everything it could to make their day harder.

But fair play — Ryan and the lads stuck with it, grafted like champs, kept me updated, and got the whole lot sorted. No drama, no moaning, just proper effort and good attitudes all round.

Brilliant job in the end, and genuinely a laugh watching them battle my car’s “quirks.” Would 100% recommend… though I might apologise to them next time before I even hand over the keys

Having ordered from an external site, these guys were the fitter, the external site sold me the wrong tyres, the manager stepped in and sorted a refund out and then when out of his way to get me two tyres in the same day and fitted them!
Outstanding effort, I will only be buying my tyres from these guys in the future! Fantastic effort - can’t thank you enough
Steve

I attended an 08:30 appointment at your Camberley branch this morning, booked through your partner Asda Tyres. Upon arrival the staff member behind the desk could not find the booking on his system but later found it in overlooked email. I was informed that they were booked up all day and if I came back at 15:00, they "might" be able to fit the tyre.

I understand mistakes happen, but the frustrating thing was that the garage was empty, there were no cars being actively worked on, the car park was completely empty, I was the only customer on site. There were at least two other staff members standing out the front waiting to work. I mentioned this to the staff member behind the desk, but he still said they were fully booked and could not fit the tyre. When asked for a refund I was told it's not his problem and to speak to Asda tyres.

If you are unwilling to fit the tyre at the time of the appointment, then why except the booking at all?

I told the staff member not to worry about it and I will go back to Asda to try and resolve the issue. He then proceeded to tell me they were going to be stopping the partnership with Asda tyres in the next few weeks anyway so it didn’t matter. On the way out he bizarrely shouted I was “Banned from all the Formula One 1 Autocentres in the country”.

Hands down the worst customer service I have ever experienced.

I only went to have my brake pads change and they rip me over £300. Dave the so called senior mechanic said the calipers were seized and had to be reassembelled and then had to be calibrated to the car. All cobblers as range rover said calipers dont need calibration and they werent seized, they just didnt release the EBS..and also they left a wheel nut off...raised a complaint with HQ and the regional Manager Joe Donaldson contact me with no apologies just a .."here you are get lost" £100 refund type of attitude.....absolutely disgusting service...my friends have has similar issues of exaggerated costs.!!..

The reply you have given to contact your customer care team to investigate is a generic reply probably automated. I did so before this review and they told me that senior management consulted with the regional manager Joe D and the outcome will remain...basically " get lost and take the £100"!!!

14 year old diesel Citroen failed its MOT with horrendous emissions issues. F1 Camberley went so far above and beyond to help us - just what you need when you're trying to keep an older car on the road. Solid Gold.

Dave at the camberley centre helped me out massively.
I had a seized on back caliper and needed to change the pads and discs. He managed to get me in the next morning. Jobs done and car is back on the road. A massive thanks to Dave and the team for getting me done on short notice