Formula One Autocentres - Fareham Reviews 47

TrustScore 2.5 out of 5

2.7

Unit 1F, 154 Fareham Road, PO13 0AS Gosport, Hampshire, GB


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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Had a slow puncture fixed at beginning of the month. A few weeks later had slow puncture so booked in to repair. Although a new one staff wouldn't charge me which I think considering the effort to fin... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

New tyres fitted by F1 again on my Merc. Also checked balancing foc and found slight adjustment advised. Went ahead for a reasonable price addition. Front man Clint arranged everything and told him... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Booked a tyre change to be done, unfortunately the place I chose had to cancel and this place got picked for me through Blackcircles. 20 minutes after I left the engine light came on randomly. Called... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Made a delivery to a local company today & noticed a nail in my tyre. Popped into Formula one, was passing anyway & the lads were very helpful & sorted out my vans puncture straight away. I had anothe... See more


Company details

  1. Tire Shop

Written by the company

Formula One Autocentres currently boasts over 130 state-of-the-art autocentres located throughout the UK. With over 800 highly trained staff working seven days a week to provide a full range of services including tyres, exhausts, batteries, brakes, clutches, MOT's and servicing. Formula One Autocentres has always been fiercely independent and, as a family-owned business, not been tied down to any single manufacturer or supplier which means that we are free to offer the biggest deals on the widest range of top branded products. By offering a real alternative to the big national chains, Formula One Autocentres provides cost-conscious motorists with a professional, reliable and affordable answer to maintaining their vehicles.

Formula One Autocentres

Written by the company

Trust Formula One Autocentres to bring you the best value in your town
We promise to beat any competitor's substantiated quote for comparable products and services. Even if you buy from us and then find a lower price locally within 7 days, we guarantee we'll refund the difference, PLUS 10%.

Contact info

  • Unit 1F, 154 Fareham Road, PO13 0AS, Gosport, Hampshire, United Kingdom

2.7

Poor

TrustScore 2.5 out of 5

47 reviews

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Slow Puncture

Had a slow puncture fixed at beginning of the month. A few weeks later had slow puncture so booked in to repair. Although a new one staff wouldn't charge me which I think considering the effort to find it was exceptional if them. Always polite and a pleasure to deal with , I'll certainly be using them for new tyres when due

27 May 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Stay clear if a women

Booked a tyre change to be done, unfortunately the place I chose had to cancel and this place got picked for me through Blackcircles. 20 minutes after I left the engine light came on randomly. Called them up for them to take it back into workshop to see what it could be and magically it was off. This was only after I mentioned I had a diagnosis test the week before as had brake pads done and it was all green. What I found odd was the guy sitting in my car for 3-4minutes doing something then coming to get me to tell me no light was on. I parked it outside the workshop with it on and had been for hours.
I wish I read previous reviews- I feel they do target women. Luckily my brother is a mechanic and told me nothing was wrong with my car and go back to them now. Lesson learnt I now have cameras in my car which I recommend most women to do- least this way you know if they are turning things on to get more money out of you. I also had my car looked at today by my regular mechanic who said nothing is wrong with my car and to stay clear of this place.

8 May 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I wouldn’t reccoment!

My 18 year daughter came in to have her car fixed as it failed MOT. They even charged her more than what was originally agreed but I just dismissed it as a genuine error.In the end they didn’t fix the problem that was on the MOT paper, they fixed something that didn’t need fixing. Then when my daughter went back to ask what had happened they were quite patronising and wouldn’t listen to what she had to say. In the end her dad had to go in to speak to them, they said they would fix the right thing but we still had to pay and still not admitting any fault on their end when the MOT certificate was clear. Very disappointed with this service and wouldn’t recommend at all!

9 February 2026
Unprompted review
Formula One Autocentres - Fareham logo

Reply from Formula One Autocentres - Fareham

Hi Sheena,

Thank you for your feedback regarding our Fareham branch.

This has already been reviewed by our Regional Management team, to which the part that you had requested yourself to be replaced was not what was required.

Please appreciate we did not conduct your MOT, so the centre followed your specific instructions and request.

We have also offered to assist further by way of replacing the part that is needed at cost to yourself only.

Our offer will remain open should your position change, as we would like to assist with helping your car get back on the road.

Kind Regards
Customer Care

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

4 Tyres replaced, 2 backwards - 2 months later MOT fail due to them

Had all four tyres replaced at the end of September. At the time, I thought the service was fine — quick turnaround on a Sunday.

But my MOT today tells a very different story. The car failed because Formula One Autocentres had fitted both passenger‑side tyres backwards. This is a basic, everyday job, and they got it wrong. I now have to pay the MOT station to correct their mistake.

This isn’t just sloppy — it’s dangerous, especially now we have a newborn. If they can’t be trusted to fit tyres properly, what else are they getting wrong?

My advice: check your tyres before you leave, and think twice before trusting them with your car.

After this, my wife and I won’t be going back.

28 September 2025
Unprompted review
Formula One Autocentres - Fareham logo

Reply from Formula One Autocentres - Fareham

Hi Andy,

Thank you for posting your review, I'm sorry to read of the issues raised. Please contact our customer care team using the below link, so that we can assist you further.

https://www.f1autocentres.co.uk/contact/customer-services

Kind Regards
Customer Care

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Cowboys

Cowboys, simple as that, purchased new budget tyres when mot failed, 3,000 miles later they picked on that new tyre there is split, was advisory not failed, so I said that tyre is under warranty so they told me to go to manufacture, I went home and no manufacture as it budget Chinese so went back then they sent tyre back to wholesaler who supply tyre, I chased them and they sent me letter that tyre is not damaged by manufacture defect, they then destroyed my tyre!!!! No I have no tyre and formula one auto centre claiming they closed case and telling me to go to The Motor Ombudsman! I have mot my cars purchased few tyres too from them, I have requested phone call from regional manager and got told he won’t call as he closed the case!!! They have destroy tyre I paid for! Shocking service and will never spend a penny in that place!

Will certainly submit complaint

1 April 2025
Unprompted review
Formula One Autocentres - Fareham logo

Reply from Formula One Autocentres - Fareham

Dear Peter,

Please contact our Customer Care Team by using the following link:

https://www.f1autocentres.co.uk/contact/customer-services

would like to take some further details from you and have the matter investigated.

Regards
Customer Care

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Faulty tyres you replaced 24 hours ago!


I had 2 rear tyres fitted on wednesday 18th December at your fareham branch.

I have got in my car today to drive and the red tyre pressure warning light has come on and my car tyre pressure was on 6!

I have inflated the tyre and awaiting the outcome but the red light is still on so clearly a fault.

I believe this is a fault at the centre in fareham and I request for my tyre to be changed at free of charge.

On the back of this I booked my mot online where your centre come up on the RAC website to use my free mot voucher. I chose you as you were the closest centre to use however I was told at the centre you don’t take these vouchers? So I had to pay for my mot and was told take it up with RAC.

I was called on Monday 16th December to ask if I could bring my car in earlier than the 17th but I was unable to however I did bring it in earlier than the original booking time.

When I arrived I requested to be called when the car was ready as i walked upto the shops to kill time. 1.5 hours later I returned to ask if my car was ready.
I was told yes we tried calling you which I replied you haven’t to then the guy started to claim he had. I asked him what number he had on the system which he read a number that was not mine, so I corrected him with my actual number.
He claimed that would be my doing when I booked the mot but how could that be when the centre called me the day prior to arrange an earlier booking?? Which I proved the call on my phone.
He didn’t even have the correct details as he was looking at the details of a previous owner of the car.
More frustratingly was that the car had failed on the 2 rear tyres which I was told were below the legal limit and would not be able to drive, however the guy that could do my tyres had gone home-this was at 2pm! So in return I was left with no car and if I had been called on the correct number this could have been sorted.

I then had to arrange to get home and a car for work the next day.

I left the centre feeling very angry and frustrated that I was without a car and now even more so that it’s not even 24 hours and the tyre you changed seems now to be faulty!

As requested I would like this tyre changed and or whatever the problem is as this has only come to light after you changing the tyre yesterday, free of charge and also the mot refunded as the voucher I had could have been used but I was told no!

Have emailed you!

18 December 2024
Unprompted review
Formula One Autocentres - Fareham logo

Reply from Formula One Autocentres - Fareham

Dear Mrs Froggatt,

Please contact our Customer Care Team by using the following link:

https://www.f1autocentres.co.uk/contact/customer-services

would like to take some further details from you and have the matter investigated.

Regards
Customer Care

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Con artists who target women

Had an MOT done in June 2024, came back with a long list of advisories. Took the car to a friend mechanic who told me that they had been very harsh and only one thing needed doing on the list.

Took another car back for a full service(fully prepared to ignore any advise) surprise surprise, they came back with a long list of things which needed doing and tried to charge me for an extra fee which I didn’t consent to.
One of the things on the list included tires which were visibly fine!

When telling a neighbour, he told me that his daughter had a similar issue and when he went in, they changed their tune and backed down.

Won’t ever be using them again.

18 July 2024
Unprompted review
Formula One Autocentres - Fareham logo

Reply from Formula One Autocentres - Fareham

Dear Amelia,

Please contact our Customer Care Team by using the following link:

https://www.f1autocentres.co.uk/contact/customer-services

We would like to take some further details from you and have the matter investigated.

Regards
Customer Care

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Formula one

Had brakes done while I was visiting the area very helpful fair price and charged what was quoted would recommend highly

10 June 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

F1 first again

New tyres fitted by F1 again on my Merc. Also checked balancing foc and found slight adjustment advised. Went ahead for a reasonable price addition.
Front man Clint arranged everything and told him I'm a grumpy old man so careful with gun and damaging alloys as some tyre places do
Trust the guys there to do good job and as long as they are compatible will always use them

15 March 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Fareham branch

Fareham branch. MOT booked for 11.30am, inspection eventually started at 12.17. No explanation re the delay, Operative wandered around not a care in the world.
Luckily I'm retired and not time restained , why have bookable slots if your not going to keep them?
I have now been contacted by the area manager, and the issue has been amicably resolved.

11 March 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Big thanks

Big thanks, especially to the mechanic most involved in getting the alternator and tensioner on my Fiat Doblo sorted for a very good price

3 February 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Booked my car in for MOT online

Booked my car in for MOT online, simple and easy to do. They did my Mot on Tuesday and it needed work doing , they were very busy and booked it in for Friday, Wednesday teatime they phoned to tell me they had managed to do the work and re Mot it for me. Great service and very friendly service. Well done , will definitely be back next year , thank you .

23 January 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Heroes

Made a delivery to a local company today & noticed a nail in my tyre. Popped into Formula one, was passing anyway & the lads were very helpful & sorted out my vans puncture straight away. I had another 200 miles to go to get back to my depot.

24 January 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Online booking for the first time

Online booking for the first time, was easy enough but not too keen on paying upfront the whole amount for MOT and service, also had to pay extra for special oil which I may or may not need. I didn't know if my make and model of car needs this for emission purposes so was advised to pay it. It remains to be seen if I get the cost of this refunded if it turns out that I don't need it. I think I would prefer to speak to somebody when booking so probably wont use online booking in future.

16 December 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Questionable competence or integrity

Staff were unable to complete the service due to fault codes they couldn’t identify. A refund was in order and they said they would arrange that. A month later and no refund despite visits and emails to query.

24 October 2023
Unprompted review

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