Halfords Autocentres Reviews 

Do not use Halfords Burnley, took a stone chip to be repaired, job was rushed so resulted in them smashing my windscreen which they are refusing to pay for ! I then get told it will be £110 to pay roughly to get a new windscreen only to be quoted lowest &330!

I booked my EV for an MOT and service as halfords is one of the few places which will do it. I received 2 reminder calls, but on both occassions the system was broken, struggling to play the recording, and only speaking a few words across about 30 seconds. I only realised it was a reminder as I managed to make out the word "service". When I collected the car, before driving away I checked the service book and found it had not been filled in. When I took it back to check, the excuse I was given was they couldn't find the book. It was on the passengers seat in the document wallet next the the locking wheel nut which they found fine. They didn't even tell me they hadn't done it until I questioned it, even though it is an item listed as part of the service. Who knows what else hasn't been done. While driving home, the charging port which is on the front of the car popped open at 50mph so hadn't been closed properly. Luckily I was on a quiet road so was able to stop and close it. When I checked over the car a few weeks later, I noticed the brake fluid reservoir had been overfilled by a fairly substantial amount. A quick search suggests this could be a safety issue, so had to syringe some out. I tried to raise a complaint, but couldn't find a form or email address on the website. They suggest using the chat feature which only works during certain hours. I tried a message on X asking for a complaint to be raised, but haven't heard anything beyond an initial message.

In response to halfords reply, as stated above, I have tried the chat feature as you suggest. It is a pain to use and only available during specific hours. I messaged on x asking to be emailed but you continued to converse on x and wouldn't give me the complaints procedure. If you want me to get in touch, give me an email address to contact you on. A custom chat system which does not provide me a transcript is not a formal means of communication or reliable complaints procedure. Alternatively, I believe trustpikot allows you to request additional information. Request my car reg and you should then be able to locate my contact details. Or you could look at messages on x for where I provided you an email address to contact me on.

My car was booked for an MOT/service at Halfords strood. It needed an indicator bulb to pass the MOT and also spark plugs. I have been charged £28.44 for the bulb which costs a few pounds and £168.51 for 3 spark plugs which retail at £16 each on their website. Customer services were no help at all.

Absolutely inappropriate useless try to avoid it no matter what. Only thing that they're good in is to waste your time that's what gonna happen. You gonna leave the car with the problem they're not gonna sort the problem and this is the good situation most of the times it's like they not even gonna start the car so you're gonna stay without the car still with the problem and waste your time what is the point. Absolutely scammers.

I have booked a tire check up twice in your Congleton shop & twice it has been cancelled due to inefficiency of the staff. Their excuse on the first time was their understaff which I have been very understanding despite me bringing my car at 6 am as I only work down the road to the shop. The 2nd time was today, the 14th of July. I booked it last week specifically saying there’s problem with the tires. Dropped it at 6 as usual. When I finished at 10 & went back for my car, it was not touched at all. The staff were not apologetic at all, instead blamed me for not telling them which tire has the problem. That’s the very reason I booked it in because I don’t know which tire has the problem. They could have called me as they have my number to confirm but I didn’t hear anything from them just like the first one. A simple call would have sorted the problem & acknowledging the customer’s frustration rather than blaming them is not a very good customer service attitude. After the 2 bad experiences, I don’t think I will ever bother to waste my time with them.

I have been a loyal trade customer of Halfords Balham for many years. I am a self-employed motor trader operating in my own name, not through a limited company. Over the years, I have purchased countless trade items from this branch and have had number plates printed there many times without any issues. The documents I have provided have always been accepted by previous members of staff.

Today, however, I experienced the worst customer service I have ever received.

I attended the Balham branch to have a number plate made for one of my trade vehicles. I presented my driving licence, V5C documentation, and my motor trade insurance, exactly as I have done on previous occasions. Instead of simply checking the documents professionally, the young member of staff immediately began arguing with me, incorrectly claiming that my motor trade insurance was not valid because it did not contain a company name.

This is completely wrong.

I am a self-employed sole trader. My motor trade insurance is issued in my own name because I trade as an individual, not as a limited company. There is absolutely no legal requirement for a self-employed motor trader to operate through a limited company. Instead of listening or checking the facts, this employee started trying to lecture me on how I "need to be a Ltd company," despite clearly having no understanding of the law or how sole traders operate. It is unacceptable for staff to give customers incorrect legal or business advice.

I explained that Halfords Balham has printed number plates for me many times before using the same documentation and that several members of staff had accepted it without any problems. His response was simply, "I serve over 1,000 customers, I don't remember." That is not a professional response. If he cannot remember previous transactions, he should not dismiss what a long-standing customer is telling him.

To make matters worse, he then refused to print the plates despite the fact that the official requirements clearly state that proof of identity together with the appropriate vehicle registration document, including the V5C or V5C green slip where applicable, can be used when obtaining replacement number plates. Rather than explaining his decision politely or checking with a manager, he chose to argue and speak down to me.

His attitude throughout the interaction was extremely rude, confrontational, and disrespectful. He spoke to me in an aggressive, intimidating manner that made me feel as though I was being treated like a criminal rather than a genuine long-standing trade customer. Instead of showing courtesy, professionalism, and respect, he behaved in a way that was completely unacceptable for someone working in customer service.

What made the experience even worse was that when I asked for his name so I could raise my concerns, he refused to provide it. I find this completely unacceptable. Customers have every right to know the identity of the employee serving them when making a complaint. Halfords should require all customer-facing staff to wear clearly visible name badges so there is accountability for the service they provide.

I have spent years supporting Halfords Balham and purchasing trade products from this branch. To be treated in this manner by an inexperienced employee who was confidently giving incorrect information and showing such a lack of respect is extremely disappointing.

I expect Halfords to:

* Investigate this incident thoroughly.
* Retrain this employee on the legal requirements for supplying replacement number plates and the difference between a self-employed sole trader and a limited company.
* Provide proper customer service training, including how to communicate respectfully and professionally with customers.
* Require all staff to wear visible name badges or otherwise identify themselves when requested.
* Explain why documentation that has been accepted by the same branch on numerous previous occasions was suddenly rejected without any proper explanation.

This experience has seriously damaged my confidence in Halfords Balham. After many years as a loyal trade customer, I never expected to be treated with such disrespect, spoken down to, and refused service based on incorrect information. This was, without question, one of the worst customer service experiences I have ever had.

I happened to be in Basingstoke and the tyre pressure alarm came up on my Mercedes.
Bearing in mind the top of the range expensive tyres were purchased from Halfords Autocentre, Worting Road, just a few months ago, plus I have the Halfords tyre insurance and also that I'm a Motor Club member, I thought that I would call in to for assistance.
BIG MISTAKE
It was 3.45pm and the place was empty apart from one car up on a ramp in the far distance yet the Assistant Manager, Ian, point blank refused to help me, even to the extent of even checking tyre pressures for me!

Racism and neglect is my experience. Racist incident happened five days ago and I reported it immediately to their formal customer service email but they just ignore it. It seems to me the customer service representative is not fewer racist neglected than the employees which makes them to ignore a discrimination incident. Also the lady in the store claimed that it's too late to serve a customer where she had time to sit and show her manicure to her colleagues and have some laughter. Too bad!.

A useless autocentre at Ramsgate. Unbelievably, they have cancelled two MOT bookings because their ramp is out of action ----for a MONTH! It would put other garages out of business. If they can't fix a ramp, how do they get on with cars I wonder. Not that it worried the front desk person.

Went into Halfords in Hamilton today with my Grandson , he was looking for a slip and slide , the girl was very helpful but they did not have any in stock . We left the store to check if any other stores had it . The girl from Halfords then came out after us to say she had managed to find one .My Grandson was delighted . This service was amazing and , the assistant called Cat went above and beyond today she is an asset to your company , one happy boy .Thank you . I will recommend this store to family and friends.

Booked my car in to have the air con re gassed paid the £75 when I dropped the car off they then called me said mines on a newer gas so is going to be £140 feet I had no choice as my car was already there so agreed to pay the difference on collection. When I picked the car up they said we found a leak but we fixed it so it should be ok the next day air con wasn’t working. They are now trying to say they advised me before I have the go ahead that there was no guarantee it would work blatant lie so I’ve now had to raise a complaint with head office and try to get my money back. Woman in customer service was useless just kept repeating the same thing over and over and talking over me. Will never use them ever again

No Halfords at Rotherham Parkgate absolutely shocking. I paid for air con and full service and paid just short of £400. Air Con wasn’t done and not sure what they did during the service as they didn’t mention any of the things I knew needed doing and they they didn’t pay any attention to the warning light I had, which also wasn’t removed although it’s stated in the the service description that they’d see to it. I feel they didn’t do anything and I’ve paid almost £400 for nothing. Avoid
I have returned my car to be rectified, they stayed an hour. It’s now well over an hour, I have to collect my children and there’s 4 workers just stood having a laugh, my car in the background with bonnet up. Honestly, they’re ridiculous.

If there was a zero star it would be getting one…booked car in…was on the call 7 mins…ran all over like a blue arse fly for them 2 basically call me a liar…I dunno who more useless the 1 under Alexander bridge or trimdon street

I booked a mobile tyre fitting service. The technician refused to drive up our road (first time this has happened in over 13 years, and we have much larger vehicles access our road every week). The technician's attitude was rude, arrogant and utterly disinterested. I provided alternative locations, all of which he refused to use. Eventually a kind neighbour allowed use of their property. The technician promised to call me when the work was complete, but didn't. He left, gave me no notification and left my car unlocked, blocking my neighbour's drive. 2 days later when driving the car for the first time, the balancing (included in my service) was so dangerously out, I had to stop away from home to have them rebalanced, and pay on top. Quite probably the worst customer experience and service all round.

Booked my Volvo xc40 recharge in for a air con check. Filled in the online form which includes the registration. All good. They can do it.
They didnt have a clue!!! Total waste of time. Decided not to leave car there when one of the technicians decided to look at Google for help.
Thanks for nothing Kingsbury Road Birmingham Halfords.

They sold me a Carrera Impel 2 ebike in 2022. Ebike batteries die BUT YOU CANNOT BUY A REPLACEMENT BATTERY as Halfords say the company building them has gone out of business! No battery rebuilder that I have contacted will touch a Carrera. So I have a perfect electric bike and no battery. There are scores of complaints on social media citing the same thing—Halfords leaving Impel 2 ebike buyers stuck with an oversized paperweight.

I recently ordered two replacement fob covers for my Hyundai i10 which I tried to fit myself, unsuccessfully. I visited the Biggleswade store to ask if they could do it, as they apparently fit wiper blades, bulbs, etc. The store was pretty much empty of staff and customers, so I asked a tall thin guy with a ponytail if there was anyone who could help. Without even getting details of what I was actually asking for, he glanced down at the key in my hand, and said “no, we’re not allowed to”…customer service at its best!

Shop around for motor repairs. These guys are EXPENSIVE!! and they tag on additional charges when it comes time to pay.. Not impressed.

Tom at the Stretford, Chester Road branch is the most professional and friendliest staff member. I had an emergency with my car this morning that could have potentially left me without a car all weekend as the oil cap had fallen into the engine. I rang the local branch and he gave me advice on how to get the car to him safely and all the staff were so busy but he managed to squeeze me in for a job that was an easy fix but he didn't need to be so helpful when I had no booking but he was an absolute life saver and fixed a very stressful morning for me. I cannot thank him enough

I am deeply disappointed with the service I received at Halfords Whittlesey.

I dropped my car off yesterday morning at 8:50am for a 10-point check. The customer service representative explained that they were extremely busy and short-staffed, so I would need to return later to collect my vehicle. She asked whether I would be able to come back on Monday, but I explained that this would not be possible. I did, however, confirm that I was happy to collect the car later that same day, as I did not need it immediately. She thanked me for my understanding and patience.

I waited throughout the day for an update, but I did not receive a single phone call. Instead, at 5:39pm, I received an email informing me that my appointment had been cancelled and that I would need to reschedule.

After receiving the email, I went to the garage to collect my car. On arrival, the customer service representative spoke to me through a locked door and informed me that my car had already been locked inside the garage and that she was unable to access it for me. I asked why nobody had called me before locking up to give me the opportunity to collect my vehicle, but I received no satisfactory explanation.

I found this situation incredibly distressing and completely unacceptable. I rely on my car for work, and leaving me without access to it overnight caused significant inconvenience and unnecessary stress. I simply cannot understand how it was considered acceptable to lock away a customer’s vehicle without making any attempt to contact them first.

This level of customer service is extremely frustrating and falls far below what I would expect from Halfords. I hope this matter is taken seriously and that steps are taken to ensure other customers are not treated in the same way.