formula one autocentres

Make sure your car is exactly as they specify for this price.

I needed an oil change on my old SD1 and couldn't be bothered doing it myself at this time of year - no garage or off street parking.

So decided to try National who were advertising a change for IIRC about the same amount. Think it also said up to 5 litres of oil. Phoned them up, and after telling them the car, said it actually took 5.5 litres after a filter change. Guy on the phone said it would be a couple of quid more. Asked also if they had a filter in stock - answer yes.

Went there, and they didn't have a filter, and also wanted over 50 quid for the lot. Something about their offer being restricted to 2.2 litres engine capacity.

On the way back, tried the local Kwik-Fit. Not being sure if they did oil changes since they don't advertise them.

I know the one in Derby to be an absolute bunch of cowboys from friends' experiences. The one in Mansfield aren't much better either. Supplied my own parts when I wanted them to change the brake disks on a Honda Accord (Pig of a job). Was skeptical when I got a ridiculously low quote for it. After being left sat waiting for an hour, the kid came back telling me "Um...it's gonna be more work than we thought". I know, it's the reason I took it there in the first place.

Left it there for about another 3 hours. Finally got another phone call telling me that I had supplied the wrongs disks and that they had to put it all back together again with the old ones on. Convienently, they weren't going to charge me anthing. When I went back to the motor factors to enquire, it turns out they were the right disks.

Hasn't it closed down?

These need to be avoided. Last one I took my Mondeo to for a quick oil change (mid winter, too cold to do it myself) wanted to use the wrong oil, then told me I could supply my own oil but when I went back they said they don't fit customer supplied parts. The manager then threatened me and I left. Made a complaint to head office and got a cheque out of them but they're worse even than Nationwide Autocentres, and they're bad !

I've found that it's best to find a smaller independent garage, recommended by somebody, and stick to them. If you find one that's interested in long term business not just a short term rip off you'll be OK.

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how did he threaten you??? sounds a right bunchof cowboys, thanks guys ill avoid them, might even tackle the job myself - bout time i learnt the basics lol

I asked him to pay me for the oil that they said they would fit and he got really arsey and asked me to leave, pushing me towards the door which he then opened and made it clear I was leaving. Bunch of wan*ers.