Name: Halfords Autocentres
Rating: 1.86

“Went for a bike repair to fix Hydraulic brakes on my bike and have a small adjustment on my chain, they initially offered a bronze service for £80 then said because of a special deal they will do it for £50. I agreed and they said it would be done in 2 hours. About one hour later they called me and said they needed to fit a seal on the breaks as it had gone, I asked how much and they said it would be £60 in total, I said yes. When the bike was ready he said the breaks would squeal as they were new however I think the disc could be contaminated, he then told me about all this free stuff he done then said it was £115. I said no way as this wasn't the agreed price, he then quickly said no its £80, I still refused and he then said okay it will be £60. We got home the brakes still squealing after a single ride (this possible might go away benefit of the doubt) however the front derailleur will not shift up and the back gears will skip 2nd gear and now 8th, absolute shoddy job and will take it to a local bike shop to get it fixed. Please never go here for a bike repair as they will try and charge as much as possible and its clear they don't really know their stuff, save the hassle and use somewhere else if you want to fix your bike/bikes.”

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Posted 4 years ago

“Zero stars!!! gloucester riga wharf Halfords gloucester Riga wharf. Awful awful experience. Rude rude staff! They failed the MOT on bits that I had fixed elsewhere and then the retest they found more! I then for a third time returned and they hadn’t booked me in. The guy was SO SO rude to me. I will never ever go near these garages again!”

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Posted 4 years ago

“NO STARS. Ridiculously rude staff. I’d been coming here for years and the recent change in personnel are near on incompetent. Brake pads and discs were changed by Halfords a year ago and starting getting vibrations with the car shuddering recently. Booked the car in on Wednesday for a Friday check as apparently there is a lifetime guarantee on the brakes. Turned up shortly after 9am and was told to leave and turn up another day as they had overbooked. Was then told some lie about head office who make the bookings hadn’t consulted with them. Total B/S as I recognise the voice of the manager at a Romford who made the booking. Totally incompetent and very rude. Totally bodged my brakes when they ripped me off a year ago with the disc and pad changed. Also had a horrible experience in March. Was told to come in the morning for an MOT. Turned up and was told I’d missed my 10 minute testing window and that the DVLA would not accept the test??? If the dvla ran to such a strict timetable then i am superman. Utterly poor service.”

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Posted 4 years ago

“Lower suspension arms failed the MOT on my car. Got a phone call from the garage explaining and quoted £485 for the replacement. I told them to stand by until i got some quotes from other local garages. They all quoted around £220 for the work. I went into the garage with my quote and asked them to price match. the manager got agitated with me and made me feel uncomfortable asking for the work for a reasonable price. The quote included the parts and prices. They had chosen the most expensive parts for my car, and added ball joints in without consulting me first. I looked up the part number, and I was being charged £115 each for the parts that cost £19.45 on Euro car parts. The vehicles ball joints were fine and did not need replacing. The garage has now agreed to do the work that was originally specified.”

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Posted 4 years ago

“Autocente Woking. If I could give zero stars I would. Took car for MOT got a call to say failed as brakes worn I said impossible as no warning lights on and car only done 20 000m. Was quoted over £400 to replace front brakes and pads. Martin the chap at Halfords got very rude when i said leave the car I would pay for failed MOT and take it elsewhere. He then said not touched the car - so how did it fail MOT. I collected car and took it to another garage in Guildford not mentioning what had happened. Car passed MOT straight away I then told the guy what had happened and he said that the brakes and car were as clean as a whilstle and there was no wear.”

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Posted 4 years ago

“Woking Halfords. Dishonest staff. Car booked for MOT 24/8/20 at 11am. Dropped car at 8.30 and approx 9 received a call to say car failed MOT as the brakes were worn. I said MOT is at 11 and impossible they are worn as car only done 20 000M and no warning lights were on. Martin said to me the car has done 20020 miles and brakes last about 20 000m. He quotes over £400 for front brake pads and disks and said he has old brakes "in his hand they are finished" My husband rang him back to say it was not possible and he got very aggressive and eventually said he cannot speak to him as it is not his car. I rang Marin back and said I will pay for MOT fail but he is to leave my car and breaks as they are. He said "I have not touched your car" and I will leave it. When I got there half hour later he said we did not do MOT just take the car. I took my car to a garage in Guildford not mentioning the incident and my car passed MOT straight away. I then told the chap what had happened and he said my car and brakes were as clean as a whistle and there was no wear at all. if I could give this a zero star I would. Dishonest people”

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Posted 4 years ago

“no experience”

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Posted 4 years ago

“DO NOT GET YOUR WHEELS ALIGNED HERE. Took my car for the wheel alignment even though it didn’t really need it but it hadn’t been done in a while so thought I better do it. Leanne on reception was lovely and super helpful. But when I picked my car up the steering wheel would have to sit at 11o’clock for the car to go straight... I returned to complain and Rob (I think?) was extremely rude and would not help in the slightest. He admitted that he couldn’t do the work on my car and made excuses, but then said he changed two wheels and I needed all four... I did not need all four as my car is front wheel drive. He then blamed me saying my car was lowered (it is not) and that he couldn’t do the work. I told him he had made my car dangerous. He didn’t care. I took my car to a trusted garage to FIX THIS MESS. Turns out he had turned my front wheels to the right and my rear to the left!!!!! Completely ruined my car and did nothing to help fix it. DO NOT TAKE YOUR CAR HERE IF YOU WANT TO KEEP IT.”

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Posted 4 years ago

“If I could give no stars, then I would. I took my car in for a free brake check due to some slight juddering in my car. Well, I was knocked sideways when they call me in store 1.5 hours later. "you may want to sit down" sit down I definitely needed as I proceeded to be handed a £1504 bill. "you'll need a new exhaust system" "you need this and that". They did offer me a tour of my car and showed me some problems, however, like I said to them there and then "you could be showing me anything" they then proceeded to apply pressure onto me and stated I could pay in installments. They then proceeded to state "If you get these issues sorted your car will be mint". I told them, I would need time to think about this and took my car away, they did however make me wait a further 30 minutes whilst they put my car back together. As I was leaving, the mechanic made me feel pressured and vulnerable stating that this car shouldn't have passed its MOT only 9 months previous and continued to apply pressure, presumably for the massive £1504 bill. I was fortunate enough to be near another local garage in which I've had dealings with before. They checked my car and stated that first and foremost £50 of welding was required, not a new exhaust system. This was a massive red flag for me from Halfords and their "new exhaust system" assessment. The local garage has my car now and is checking it over again for me for peace of mind. Rest assured, some of their lies have already uncovered so won't be surprised if there is more. I would avoid Halfords at all costs. Go local and support honest, hardworking mechanics instead. I'd not trust these clowns to fix my nieces little tykes toy car. AVOID AVOID AVOID.”

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Posted 4 years ago

“Paid for mot an major service nothing wrong with clutch in either pick car up an notice something wrong with Clutch pedal think cus they change fluid it will be ok few day goes by not used car go out again an still no change so call for check said been in an something wrong tell me To bring it in for check so take it in say £1200 for clutch slave fly wheel took it some where else was clutch cyclinder cost £150 big difference how was this not picked up before and why so much an in mot advisory said nail in tyre changes tyres to find no nail never ever use halford again And your supposed to get a 39.99 pound oil change in with that not even been done absolute joke an I paid for that never again”

Halfords Autocentres 1 star review on 1st September 2020

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Posted 4 years ago

“This was my second visit in a week my first experience was excellent car was booked for MOT. Whilst their I asked about doing a tyre swap as I had purchased some alloy wheels . This was a service they do provide at very reasonable cost so I booked it in. On arrival completely different staff members so they really didn’t know what I had booked car in for so I explained. I was then advised that my car would need to be coded to the tyre pressure monitoring system. This I have never heard of and thought odd as I have changed wheels before and never had to do this. 2. Tyre fitter advised me my tyres were not run flats to which I showed him the tyre wall that showed they were. I was now very concerned that this fitter actually knew what he was doing. 3. Car now completed and I was handed the keys . I checked the wheels and found that the original grey valve caps had been changed and black put on the car was also now missing 3 nut covers. I asked for these to be located. They were and put back in car. Surely everything that came off the car should be put back on. 4.Also to my amazement I was not given the locking wheel but back I asked for it and fitter advised he had lost it, fitter then started walking up the road and said he had now found it. Looks like he had left it attached to the wheel. 5. Finally when he moved the car and parked it for he bounced it up the kerb opposite the facility . No damage done but totally unprofessional in my opinion. This experience has totally let Halfords down . Would advise some sort of customer care training for this team and also retraining in tyre fitting.”

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Posted 4 years ago

“Booked in a free repair check at my local Halfords. I checked online and was advised that they can diagnose my possible issue. So I took car in and was told bluntly they don’t do head gaskets from which I said I don’t know if it is a head gasket hence booking it in for a repair check. Then I was told because I left and 2 other cars had arrived for checks that they will try and look at it today . I’m angry and confused why offer the free repair check then say we don’t get involved with head gaskets normally but clearly says on Halfords they repair and diagnose any problem. The place needs looking at I just wasted a whole morning on this. If this is down to money I will pay you to look and see for me but the website offers free repair check and safety checks . Literally wtf Halfords joke”

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Posted 4 years ago

“Today I was at Halfords seafood my number plate was bent and the young chap who works there came out with a screwdriver took it off straighter it and put it back for nothing I would like to say thank you”

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Posted 4 years ago

“I really believe Halfords Autocentres should be investigated by the Trading Standard Agency as they are a scam and just take money from customers. I remember I took my previous car there back in 2014 and 2015 yearly for a “service” I thought I always paid for. Early in 2016, in the middle of traffic, my car stopped and the engine light showed up. Halfords did not have anything available the next day so I was forced to take my car to another garage- and here they confirmed that my car had not been serviced properly for the last 2 years that’s why it gave up and needed a full service immediately! I cannot believe that Halfords fooled me for over 2 years! This is at the Ashford Autocentre and they are all the same as I went to another branch (as fool as I sound, yes I did go to them again but this time for a brake check!). The useless “mechanic” kept pressing my brakes so hard without the car being on or even moving and then suddenly a loud like explosion noise came from under the bonnet! Immediately the brake fluid came leaking, so I panicked but he didn’t care and said my brake is faulty hence that happened, he did not want to take responsibility for his fault and he quickly went back inside, gave me a quote and said it will cost me over £400 for what he’d clearly caused- went to another garage and got this fixed for £250. This is the Catford Autocentre. I called customer service to complain and the lady said sorry and offered me a free MOT voucher HAHAHAHAHA!!! I do not go to Halfords anymore except for air fresheners LOL. Honestly, save yourselves from misery and avoid these scammers already! NEVER EVER AGAIN!!!”

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Posted 4 years ago

“STAY AWAY FROM HALFORDS STROOD !!!!! I arrived at the Halfords store in Strood on the appointed day and time and the clerk told me that they had no space and that I should be back in three hours. I returned three hours later and was told that they still had no free space and that I should schedule it for another day. I agreed and scheduled for two days later, at the first time, at eight o'clock in the morning. I arrived ten minutes in advance but the service in my car only started an hour later, around nine o'clock. And the biggest nonsense: they changed the wrong tires. they changed the front tires that were good and left the rear tires that were worn resulting in another hour of waiting to be able to undo the error. Total incompetence, poor customer service and lack of respect. I am quite disappointed. Halfords never again.”

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Posted 4 years ago

“STAY AWAY FROM HALFORDS TELFORD !!! Terribly illiterate and uneducated people work in this service. 3-4 months ago I bought tires from them + tire adjustment because my old tires were worn incorrectly. These days I happen to see that my brand new tires are worn out in the same way as the old ones. After consulting with them and reviewing, according to them, this was completely normal. I think these people need training or glasses, but I would never rely on their services again. It is normal for a tire to wear evenly, not just on one side ... how can such incompetent people work in this service. And their receiver named DAN is a terribly rude person, when you leave him keys he doesn't take them personally, because KOVID measures, but when you go to get your car he gives them to you personally ... then obviously KOVID measures don't apply. I upload photos of my old tires and new worn ones in the same way. According to the service, this is normal for tires at 3-4 months and 5000 miles .... I have no words”

Halfords Autocentres 1 star review on 24th August 2020

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Posted 4 years ago

“I have used Halfords in pontypridd for years, staff always friendly but they are a rip off company. They are over prices and totally ruined my last car. Replaced the clutch but it wasn't done right, took it back numerous times and kept telling me it was my driving. Clutch kept sticking. Eventually replaced it, same problem. Took it to another garage and they said the clutch wasn't right. Took it back again but kept getting fobbed off. Eventually after a year of going back and fore they said it was the gear box and it would cost a £1000 to fix. Left and will never return. My son took his there and was given a list of things that needed down. Took it to another garage and none of it needed done and passed MOT first time. He will never return now.”

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Posted 4 years ago

“Critical: Dishonesty, Manipulation, Poor Professionalism, No Quality STAY AWAY FROM HALFORDS. On 28.05.20, my vehicle was booked for a major service, they advised to change a timing belt. I have accepted the bill of £1392.90. Completed on 02.06.20. During the quarantine restrictions I hardly used the vehicle. Six weeks later my car stopped in the middle of the road, could not restart, car was tolled back to Halfords garage.During 4 days no response, I called to the garage, went by taxi as no updates, just silence. Every time they keep the same approach until today, we are busy and don’t have time, once they free they will check. However, daily on the web page it would show available time for the different services. On the 4th day, I called to Halfords HQ and ask to get involved. On the 5th day I received a call saying they have checked everything and cannot find a fault, with the conclusion they have acknowledged the vehicle cannot get started, but they cannot repair anything if they cannot find a fault. They said I should take my car to another garage. On 18.07.20 it was tolled to SAAB representative. On Monday 20th July I received clarification from a local SAAB specialist, The engine is damaged with the parts to be replaced, as a timing belt snapped, bill £2,500.00 inc VAT The damage was shown to me, it is clear and open to the surface, obviously Halfords was dishonest and manipulated with the false statement (they cannot find a fault). On the same day I have informed Halfords garage and a report was delivered by SAAB technician directly to the garage (without me asking, apparently he knows the team at Halfords garage. At this point we returned to square 1. I went again to the garage, Manager Sam confirmed they will arrange to toll my car back to their garage. Since everything happened and until today I haven’t received a replacement vehicle and communication is Extremely Poor. I completely lost my trust in any words from Halfords, I needed a car, I had to borrow £6600 to purchase another vehicle enable me to commute to work and carry on my daily plans. Which was additional complicated task to do, to find money for a purchase, find another vehicle for a reasonable amount etc. The negligence regarding the damage to my vehicle clearly related to a poor standard of the recent repair at Halfords Autocentre in Orpington. - I could not get to work since 13/07/20 - I have spent hours and days for calling to Halfords Autocentre (461) - Numerous calls, emails to Halfords HQ ( the same they will send me back to the garage). - I had to arrange two recoveries to Halfords and than from Halfords to SAAB representative - I could not drop off or collect my son from his father in Crawley, West Sussex. I would like to draw your attention, on the day when a car stopped in the middle of the road, and could not restart. I was on the way to drop off my son to Crawley, what consequences could be if such a failure would happen on a busy motorway? It could have been a major incident with other vehicles and people’s lives involved. Over two weeks ago I received a call from a manager Andy, saying the same, they are very busy, once they will get free, they will proceed with the repair. Since then another consistent silence… My Saab 9-3 TTid still remaining in Halfords Autocentre in Orpington. I believe I gave plentiful of time for the garage and Halfords HQ customer service to resolve the problem within a reasonable time scale, it has been over 5 weeks and we still have not moved forward to resolve it. In this stage my patience and understanding has gone, according to Consumers Act 2015, and all proved evidence it should have been resolved by now. My Advice - STAY AWAY FROM HALFORDS. If you find time, please look up for more details on the social media, Halfords garages having lots of problems, lack of qualified technicians, hanger to take work but cannot deliver what they promise. DISHONESTY, MANIPULATION and EXTREMELY POOR SERVICE. I hope my feedback will help you, and you to avoid the problems and financial loss with the massive complications caused by Halfords Autocentre. Images attached Mrs. Sparks”

Halfords Autocentres 1 star review on 21st August 2020

Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

“Critical: Dishonesty, Manipulation, Poor Professionalism, No Quality STAY AWAY FROM HALFORDS. On 28.05.20, my vehicle was booked for a major service, they advised to change a timing belt. I have accepted the bill of £1392.90. Completed on 02.06.20. During the quarantine restrictions I hardly used the vehicle. Six weeks later my car stopped in the middle of the road, could not restart, car was tolled back to Halfords garage.During 4 days no response, I called to the garage, went by taxi as no updates, just silence. Every time they keep the same approach until today, we are busy and don’t have time, once they free they will check. However, daily on the web page it would show available time for the different services. On the 4th day, I called to Halfords HQ and ask to get involved. On the 5th day I received a call saying they have checked everything and cannot find a fault, with the conclusion they have acknowledged the vehicle cannot get started, but they cannot repair anything if they cannot find a fault. They said I should take my car to another garage. On 18.07.20 it was tolled to SAAB representative. On Monday 20th July I received clarification from a local SAAB specialist, The engine is damaged with the parts to be replaced, as a timing belt snapped, bill £2,500.00 inc VAT The damage was shown to me, it is clear and open to the surface, obviously Halfords was dishonest and manipulated with the false statement (they cannot find a fault). On the same day I have informed Halfords garage and a report was delivered by SAAB technician directly to the garage (without me asking, apparently he knows the team at Halfords garage. At this point we returned to square 1. I went again to the garage, Manager Sam confirmed they will arrange to toll my car back to their garage. Since everything happened and until today I haven’t received a replacement vehicle and communication is Extremely Poor. I completely lost my trust in any words from Halfords, I needed a car, I had to borrow £6600 to purchase another vehicle enable me to commute to work and carry on my daily plans. Which was additional complicated task to do, to find money for a purchase, find another vehicle for a reasonable amount etc. The negligence regarding the damage to my vehicle clearly related to a poor standard of the recent repair at Halfords Autocentre in Orpington. - I could not get to work since 13/07/20 - I have spent hours and days for calling to Halfords Autocentre (461) - Numerous calls, emails to Halfords HQ ( the same they will send me back to the garage). - I had to arrange two recoveries to Halfords and than from Halfords to SAAB representative - I could not drop off or collect my son from his father in Crawley, West Sussex. I would like to draw your attention, on the day when a car stopped in the middle of the road, and could not restart. I was on the way to drop off my son to Crawley, what consequences could be if such a failure would happen on a busy motorway? It could have been a major incident with other vehicles and people’s lives involved. Over two weeks ago I received a call from a manager Andy, saying the same, they are very busy, once they will get free, they will proceed with the repair. Since then another consistent silence… My Saab 9-3 TTid still remaining in Halfords Autocentre in Orpington. I believe I gave plentiful of time for the garage and Halfords HQ customer service to resolve the problem within a reasonable time scale, it has been over 5 weeks and we still have not moved forward to resolve it. In this stage my patience and understanding has gone, according to Consumers Act 2015, and all proved evidence it should have been resolved by now. My Advice - STAY AWAY FROM HALFORDS. If you find time, please look up for more details on the social media, Halfords garages having lots of problems, lack of qualified technicians, hanger to take work but cannot deliver what they promise. DISHONESTY, MANIPULATION and EXTREMELY POOR SERVICE. I hope my feedback will help you, and you to avoid the problems and financial loss with the massive complications caused by Halfords Autocentre. See images attached. Mrs. Sparks”

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Posted 4 years ago

“I went to Halfords in Doncaster and the young lady called Maddie was so helpful sorting out my dashcam for me, I would like to give her full praise.”

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Posted 4 years ago

Shipping & Delivery
Delivery Methods	Own Driver, Courier
Average Delivery Time	Next Day
On-time Delivery	Greater than 10%
Accurate And Undamaged Orders	Greater than 68%
Customer Service
Communication Channels	Telephone, Email, Live Chat
Queries Resolved In	Under An Hour
Customer Service	2.2 out of 5
Returns & Refunds
Refunds Process	Difficult

Halfords Autocentres Reviews