March 2024 by Mark Bridgestock
In the past, I rated this Halfords Autocentre with five stars, but my recent experiences have been dreadful. I'm uncertain what has caused this decline, but it's almost laughable. This time, I scheduled an MOT and service for one of my cars. Unlike my previous attempt in September 2023, the MOT proceeded smoothly. However, my car failed its MOT due to a braking issue, requiring a new caliper and pads for one rear wheel. The Autocentre couldn't address this within the retest period of 10 days, instructing me to seek repairs elsewhere and return for a retest. Despite dropping off my car early in the morning, the service wasn't completed by late afternoon. I was astounded by the Autocentre's inability to handle such a basic repair within the allotted time. After losing five days finding another garage, I had the necessary repairs done according to the failure sheet. Upon returning the car, it failed again for a new issue not mentioned on the original sheet. Testing elsewhere showed the car was fine, but Halfords insisted on the problem's persistence, unable to fit me in for another retest before the 10-day period expired, requiring me to pay for another MOT. When I questioned this, I received no satisfactory explanation. Consequently, I've chosen to take my car elsewhere for its MOT and service. The Autocentre's customer service, once commendable, has severely deteriorated. I strongly advise against using Halfords Autocentre and suggest opting for one of the numerous other garages in the Kettering area. Recent reviews echo similar sentiments, all with one-star ratings and various issues persisting for quite some time. Despite my reluctance to write negative reviews, the situation warrants it. I've lost all trust in Halfords Autocentre and will not use them or any other Halfords branch in the future. I hope this review proves helpful to others.P.S. As I write this review, I've received an email from Kettering Autocentre claiming their expert technicians have completed the work on my car, which sits in my driveway and is ready for collection. However, this claim is false, as they have a lack of competent technicians. Halfords, you're simply incapable of getting anything right anymore.
March 2024 by Philip Davies
We took our car there for the mot, we thought them quite reasonable and easy going until we went to pick it up. They managed to damage the heated seats so we thought they would would do what any other garage would do and say ?o sorry about that we?ll trade a Quick Look but no insted they accused us of lying about them working and how it?s not there problem and couldn?t give a dam about our problem nor were they willing to take a Quick Look at the fuses or anything to help but no there response was that it?s not there problem. And the so called manager was next to useless didn?t care about us or our problem so I would never ever take another car to that place because they take no responsibility for damage to your car whilst in there custody. Avoid like the plague. I?m just so shocked that a place using the Halfords name could be so bad but there it is. Please don?t take your car there or if you do take photos before it goes in so you can cover your self incase they damage your car too
February 2024 by Cgaknott K
Sort the reviews by date, and you will see that the Kettering branch has gone to pot over the last 3 months. I've experienced pretty much the same service as everyone else mentions in their reviews. If in Kettering and needing work done, do yourself a favour and go to in'n'out just up the road by the hospital. They stick to appointments and know how to pick up the phone to let you know what's happening with your car, unlike this bunch of jokers.
February 2024 by Eugenia C.
Don?t use them, unless you like your time wasted. I booked online - email says 12:40. Received text saying to arrive 10 min before my appointment. I did arrive 12:30 to be told that my appointment is 13:30 and 12:40 is drop off time. Person who arrived before me was in the same position. I will never come back here. Through I left a complaint asking booking system to be made clear for people. Just unfair time-wasters.
February 2024 by D Kent
Had my car booked in for 0900 this morning to be fitted with 2 new tyres. When asked how long it would take I was told not sure, quite a while. When pushed I was told it would be in the afternoon when it would be done. Drop off 0900 for 2 tyres....Really. I said I could not wait that long so without any help to resolve this the appointment was offered to be cancelled which I accepted. I was also informed that it would take 10 days to get a refund. Shocking service. I have been a loyal customer for 20 years. Kettering branch has severely gone down hill. Wont be going back. Doesn't deserve the one star.
February 2024 by Andrea Restorick
If I could give this place a zero I would. Twice I have been here for two separate services and both times I have been utterly disappointed in the service I have received. I went back last January to get my tyres replaced first thing in the morning for them to be rude and tell me that they wouldn't get changed until the afternoon (why offer a time to book it in if its not going to get done at that time) and the customer service just the whole day was shocking. I then took my car for an MOT just under 2 weeks ago and again, awful, awful service. Was told they were going to call me when the MOT was done, had nothing from them whatsoever and had to go to the actual center to find out my car had been done for over half an hour. Then then gave me a list of issues that were wrong with my car and didn't even try and get me booked in for a repair. I went to another garage to get the repairs done of which they told me half the problems Halfords had told me were wrong with my car actually had no issues whatsoever and there were even things they had completely missed when completing my MOT. Tried to give them the benefit of the doubt after the first time but this second bad experience just solidified the fact that I won't ever been using this garage again nor will I reccomend it to anyone I know. Avoid.
February 2024 by Ed Dunkurs
Booked a tire change for 8:30 a few days earlier. Arrived on time, but they informed me that the tires had not arrived. They assured me they would call once the tires were in. I had to make arrangements for the day to visit them. Unfortunately, they didn't bother to call and inform me that they wouldn't be able to complete the job on time. To make matters worse, they didn't call the next day or even a few days later. After a week, I received an email stating that the booking was canceled, and I needed to reschedule the appointment. No refund was provided, and I had to chase them to get my money back.Still waiting for refund.I won't be returning there; I'm not willing to risk ruining another day with them.Poor communication!
February 2024 by Lauren Sharman
Booked my car in for MOT and service at 08:30 on Monday I was told that it was unlikely the service would be done today due to being really busy and staffing issues. The gentleman behind the desk explained I could either rebook it in on another day or get a refund. At this point there was another member of staff at the desk who went on to say that it would probably be middle of February to get the service done as it?s an ongoing issue they are having with not being able do services and then people rebooking. When I asked how long it was going to take for them to do my MOT I was told it was booked in at 09:20 for its MOT and it would be done by 10:40 and they would call to say when it?s done. However this was not the case I had no communication to say the car was done and after trying to call on several occasions and being put on hold 15-20 minutes at a timeI finally got through and was told it was ready this was now 16:00 o?clock.When collecting my car there was no one to talk to about my MOT report it was just a matter of collecting the keys and leaving. The services wasn?t done so I would be getting a refund which will take 7-10 days. First time using this centre and definitely will be my last I strongly advise people to use somewhere else if they require work on their cars. Never known somewhere to be so poorly organised and have poor customer service skills.
February 2024 by David Manns
I booked my electric car in for a service on Saturday morning at 8.30! This was the only time available. When i went to the reception i was told that they could not do the car as the electric technician was not in! The person i spoke to said i only work here! Needless to say i will not be going there again. Terrible!!
February 2024 by Ted
Really disappointing. I?ve been using Halfords for yours, and they?ve been great. Unfortunately, I will not be going back. Terrible communication, essentially useless, would highly recommend you go elsewhere. Really sad how poor they?ve become.
February 2024 by Douglas And Laura
Unfortunately google doesn't have a Zero star option. Wasn't keen on them to begin with after shoddy behavior, but booked a discounted MOT. Hoped the merger with National would improve the work and customer service. MOT failed on friday with 2 majors a minor and three advisories. Took it away and fixed one major and the minor myself. My local National Tyres and Autocare diagnosed the repaired the remaining major. In Monday for the retest only for them to find a major that was "missed" in the same location of the advisory. Will absolutely avoid at all costs. Pay peanuts and you get Monkeys!
February 2024 by Mulgrews Media
If only there was a zero star option. Avoid like the plague. Had my car for 6 days after failing it's mot. Each day promised work would be done. Only to be given different terrible excuses each time. Basically they Only wanna do the work they can be bothered to do that day. One day it was being run by people from different garages. Waste of time. Effort and money. DO NOT USE THE GARAGE. Took my car to a different garage. Mot, work and re tested in 2 days. Wouldn't use this place even if it was free. Awful experience and will never return.
January 2024 by dj sma
Short stuffed, waited 3hrs to get 2 tyres changed and got over charged. Not happy
January 2024 by Chloe Walker
It's disappointing to be writing such a low review! My elderly father visited to buy a product yet after waiting in the queue the TWO workers (if you can call them it).Turned away began chatting to each other and after five mins my father put the product back and left the store!! Disgusting really when I would have thought post covid that purchases would be welcome. My father visited the store just after 4pm so I hope the workers there are proud of themselves turning away profit and being rude charming!!!
January 2024 by rob davis
Dedicated MOT parking. Quick check-in. Was ready on time and the report was clearly explained with no upsell.
