National Tyres and Autocare - a Halfords company Reviews Summary

Customer Service

Pros:

• "Approached National tyres after hitting a pot hole and needing my tyre changed as soon as possible. Was greeted by Rachel who made everything super easy."
• "I have never had this kind of service: not just quick, efficient and all-round professional, but also considerate, kind, understanding and accommodating!!!"
• "Excellent customer service from the initial query on the phone to the promptness of dealing with a puncture at the centre. Staff were polite, patient and very efficient especially as it was busy and some customers were a little rude. Would definitely recommend."
• "Booked online to have my tracking done and 4 tyres fitted. Originally booked for 02/04 but then needed them done sooner, rang up and spoke to a lady who sorted this with no problem at all."
• "The Manager was polite and the guy the who repaired my tyre was chatty and very helpful."
• "The team are really welcoming and friendly so please visit them if you need their help, I would strongly recommend it :-)"
• "Nice and friendly, professional staff specially Rachel, she's the best 🙂"

Cons:

• "Avoid this garage. The front desk guy is super rude."
• "I've never seen such unprofessional behaviour in any other National garages. Not going back here!"
• "Horrible service and overpriced don't come to this place unless is your last resort."
• "Really rude behaviour from one of them, with glasses, Brian."
• "Worst customer service experience of my life."
• "Long wait. Unfriendly man at the reception made the experience worse."
• "The fella behind the desk was a proper grump as well, my mum's dog has more personality."

Efficiency and Timeliness

Pros:

• "Within 10 minutes, a nice mechanic called Andrew spotted the problem (a nail in the middle of the tyre) and managed to pull it out and patch the hole up successfully."
• "Staff were polite and friendly and I was on my way again in about 45 mins."
• "They fixed the puncture no fuss, for £20, and in about 15 minutes."
• "Staff member on reception told me it would be around 45 mins and true to his word I got a call 45 mins later saying it was done."
• "Called in after realising I had a flat tyre -was told no one could help -maybe in 3-4 hours -so called my breakdown people -then a really nice lad called Tommy there came over and said he was free to change my tyre -was able to cancel the breakdown people, took him a few minutes -really helpful and polite."
• "Was seen to really quickly and all now sorted."
• "Booked tyres on line, turned up 5mins before appointment time was told to leave the car they would phone me when car was ready approx 90mi mins, whilst I was making a phone call to get a lift fitter drove car onto ramp said would be 15mins if you wait here."

Cons:

• "Place an online order for tyres and booked in for 2.30 pm. Sat in the waiting area for 40 minutes to then be told they didn't have my tyre."
• "Over two hours later, still no call."
• "The most terrible place, first they put me to wait 1 hour and half to replace the tyres even if I had booked already a slot and they told me to come next week for tracking again booked me for 12 pm and when I get in there they said I have to wait another 3 hours."
• "By 1.00pm I still hadn’t heard anything so rang and they said my car still hadn’t been looked at, and they couldn’t give me an estimated time scale."
• "Booked in for the 11-12 got in a 11:04 over 2 and half hours later the job was finally finished."
• "Done a good job with the tyres but really took a liberty with their timing. Had arranged a 10-11 slot for my tyres to be replaced. Wasn't ready until 2:30."
• "On arrival told would have to wait at least an hour before they could get around to me."

Pricing and Value

Pros:

• "Possibly the ugliest building in The Universe, but brilliant service and good value."
• "Used these guys as approved contractor for tyres & maintenance on our works vehicles and they have been great every time."
• "Some dirt got in between the tyre and rim when they fitted the new tyres, so they took that one off, cleaned it, and the issue was solved (no charge)."
• "Best thing about the experience was there was no charge!"
• "The pricing was also very reasonable."
• "Nts gave the best price in Cambridge for me after I didn't want accept the first quote."
• "Well, they repaired it just fine for a good price."

Cons:

• "Please Please Please go somewhere else! This place was absolute rubbish! Went in for a simple, common fix they quoted me a price (no exaggeration) 10x's what it cost me at another place."
• "Gutted. I was getting brakes checked and repaired and the guy on the phone miss quoted me by about £250!!"
• "Got over quoted by £100 per tyre."
• "Charged £65 (EACH) for rear drop links to be replaced... Had them done a few years before and was charged £50 for BOTH to be done."
• "I lost £103.31 because of them: £50.00 for the incorrect alignment - £53.51 because they overtightened the locking wheel-nuts."
• "They will charge me £545 for a new tyre of same make. I went to another garage and paid £325 for a new tyre of the same make."
• "My partner went in with the AA to get a tyre...here's the quote from the AA man. 'this is the MOST EXPENSIVE TYRE I'VE EVER FITTED IN MY WHOLE CAREER'...end quote."

Facilities and Location

Pros:

• "Good facilities you would expect. Clean toilet, 3 vending machines with hot and cold drinks and snacks at reasonable prices."
• "Awkward location but you can walk down to river easily enough and have a very pleasant walk along there to the St George pub half a mile away and into town while the car is MOT or serviced."
• "Tracking was done perfectly and the drive back was great having the steering wheel straight again."