Formula One Autocentres - Northampton (GRAFTON STREET) Avis 

I have to say that was the best service I have had. The staff were unbelievable. So helpful. Thankyou.

Thanks to Louis and the team. Same day slot to suit my lunch break. I was shown the damage and the issues were explained with my options. Its going to be an expensive fix, but that's down to the damage. Will still be the first place I call when it comes to tyres in Northampton.

Had an issue with a wheel losing it’s pressure, brought into formula 1 Grafton street, Louie couldn’t be more helpful and sorted it right away. Number 1 in service

My GLC Mercedes was booked in for an ‘A’ service and MOT. Cost quoted £172.00 which was very competitive charging me only £32.00 for a MOT.

The Vehicle was dropped off at 08.30 am and at 12.30 pm I was advised the service had taken place but the car failed the MOT on a Management light that was showing on the dash panel. When I dropped the car off no management light was showing as I know that a management light is a MOT failure I would have rectified this problem before arranging the MOT.
The Grafton Street Centre in Northampton advised that it was suggesting the following works for it to pass the MOT and the cost would be £1172.00 including the £172.00 service that I already paid online. I was not happy but asked them to proceed.
They replaced the following:

Complete brake fluid change. This was done the previously year by Mercedes Benz so did not need replacing.

CV boot kit where the rubber gasket housing was damaged causing some grease to escape.

Wheel balance and re alignment.

Diesel fuel cleaner fluid.

Rear Toe adjustment.

Lambda sensor

Pollen filter. Replaced by Mercedes Ben the previous year.

I collected the car and the next day the management light had come on so I called Formula 1 and they asked me to bring the car in and they would check why the management came on. They diagnosed the car on the laptop which said a faulty Lambda sensor which they replaced was faulty. They cleared the screen of the management light and asked me to take a car for a god drive so that the sensor heats up but I pointed to them that as it was a new sensor why did I have to do this? They asked me again to drive the car and monitor and if the light came on to call the centre. A day later I called which now was Friday and they said they could not look at the car until Monday. The car was not used as the management was showing an issue.

On Monday 1st December I took the car back to the centre the Manager who was away on holiday at the time this saga started checked the car on the diagnostic system and confirmed that the wrong sensor was replaced as the Nox sensor was the issue not the Lambda sensor. I was not impressed and It was suggested by the Manager at Formula 1 that as he had the original Lambda sensor that he would put that back on the car and remove the new Lambda sensor. This was done after a long wait and I requested a refund of the Lambda sensor, labour and VAT £403.00 to be refunded to me. The manager advised that he could not issue a refund at branch level as this has to be approved by Head Office of Formula 1 and that he would arrange this. This was on 1st December. I accepted this and advised that I was expecting my refund to be credited back to me by tomorrow 2nd December.

I took the car to Mercedes Benz and they checked the car, charge £155.00 for a diagnostic check and confirmed the fault of the Management light coming on was a Nox Sensor issue NOT a Lambda sensor.

I called the Head office of Formula 1 the following day to be informed by them refunds are processed on a Tuesday and Thursday only and I gave them my bank details for them to send the refund. On the 5th December after sending 4 emails chasing the refund I received an email on the 5th December saying that no refund could be processed until I return to Formula 1 Northampton Grafton street and have my old Lambda sensor replaced and the new wrong sensor fitted to be removed. I was amazed as this Lambda sensor exchange was done on 1st December and they had no idea that this work was carried out. I immediately emailed Formula 1 Head Office stating the work had been carried out and that I expect a BACs transfer today. Formula 1 responded saying that a BACs transfer was being arranged on the 5th December and it would take 3/5 days to receive this, however, if no refund was received the 16th December then I should contact them again.

As of today 9th December no refund has been received the whole experience is a disgrace.

My advice to anyone reading this is do yourself a major favour and do not consider going to Formula 1 for any work your car needs doing. You have been warned.

I have just received a reply from Formula 1 who confirmed that refunds usually take 3/5 days on a BACS payment. I am still waiting for mine 9 days later. Also they say the refund was given due to the warranty on the work but they have not read my review correctly as due to the poor diagnosis they removed a good working Lambda sensor and replaced it with part that was working perfectly. The mechanics at Formula 1 are not trained sufficiently to work on certain brand of cars. Again give Formula 1 a wide birth. I should compensated for all the inconvenience and stress this has caused.

Louis and Troy at Northampton centre....quality blokes. My visit was for help on tyres. They dropped everything to help. No work needed on my tyres but Im now so likely to visit for future work on our 2 cars due to their care and concern. Thank you gents.

This place is a joke!
The man tells me on the phone to be there at 11am, I arrive on time and he tells me to wait for 2hrs because he is busy.
I'm busy too and arrange everything to be there at the time he told me to be there.
Additionally it's an aircon regas only so connecting the pipes, setting up the machine and it works on its own.
Will never use them again.

Really impressed with the team on site. Very good service and whilst I had a minor complication resulting from a 3rd party booking service the guy on site dealt with it brilliantly.

I hit a pothole and snapped the droplink on my van suspension, on Sunday morning. Dale was able to fit me in and get the van fixed very quickly. Ready for my trip to Eastbourne early Monday morning for work.

I can't fault their service, and I would definitely go back to them.

Easy to book. Friendly efficient helpful staff and service. Comfortable waiting area. Would definitely recommend and use again

Had a problem with my car whilst driving near the Grafton St centre and the chap there couldn’t have been more helpful and went out of their way to help me. As a consequence our family trip was saved!

Abdul was first class today in terms of customer service. I had to put an unexpected rush on a service. Abdul and the lads went over and above to source parts in order for my car to be ready hours before it was due for collection. I couldn’t ask for a better experience. Five stars!

Really helpful, polite and quick at Northampton branch. Complete opposite to HIQ just over the road who grumpily turned us away with a simple puncture repair

Never returning to this place! Basic interim service carried out on my Mercedes… yes basic… over filled my oil ( also called me to say I need to pay extra for special oil as it requires more) causing a warning light on dash returned to garage reluctant to drain any oil and attitude appalling saying if it gets to low we won’t be topping it up! Avoid at all costs!! Awful customer service.

Not to mention they then get my car stuck on the ramp whilst I’m waiting
Manager please call me to discuss further

Easy booking experience on line. Friendly staff, everything explained clearly, great service throughout, thanks.

Great experience, efficient, friendly and polite

So grateful for the helpfulness of the gentleman on reception at Grafton St, Northampton. I was really stressed about my car problem and he attended to it straight away. Being open on a Sunday was a life saver to me. Recommend these guys to everyone. Thank you

Took the car for an MOT and it failed on the handbrake, wing mirror and tyre. Brought it back a week later for the work to be carried out. Instead of securing the wing mirror it was taped on using bodge tape - cost £40! On the same invoice, polished headlight - another £40. This is bad but the pinnacle has to be the handbrake. Both calipers changed - £400 (due to huge mark up on parts) even though there was no sign of defective brakes. Handbrake still not fixed but bring it back and we'll readjust. Took it back - apparently its the handbrake cables that are slack, you'll need new one's, cost about £140 each, again due to huge mark up on parts. Cables changed, still no good, unbelievable! Having spent the best part of 800 quid on parts it transpires that the handbrake lever was not secured to the chassis properly which was causing the issue. At best totally unprofessional and at worst con artists. I'd say avoid at all costs.

Fixed the bottom of my car for free - super super appreciated thank you

This is the 2nd time I have been to Formula One @ Gambrel Road, Northampton. Most of my dealings have been with Jacob on both times. Jacob is incredibly polite and helpful. He listens to me and always answers all of my questions with a lot of helpful information. Jacob is always very honest and transparent showing me the results of my wheel alignment and helping me to decide what actions to take. I highly recommend Formula One @ Gambrel Road, Northampton for all of your car needs.
In addition, when I call the garage, the phone is always answered very quickly and the several times I’ve been into the garage to ask for help/questions, a member of staff is always respond quickly upon your arrival at reception.

I purchased a car tested at Formula one Northampton. The car was retested and it was declared dangerous as the chassis was in a dangerous condition as were the brakes and suspension.
I have complained and been ignored, been passed from pillar to post and have now have had to issue court proceedings.
There policy deny deny deny
The managers make false statements and provide misleading information at branch and regionally.