National Tyres and Autocare - Orpington Reviews 163

V good polite & good service. Did not realise over 2 hour wait for 4 x tyres so may be worth stating on website when booking. Technician also v. Professional and polite. Thank you.

(Orpington sevenoaks way) The staff at this branch really do go above and beyond ,we bought a car six months ago the dealer gave us the wrong locking wheel nut ,and was booked in for two new front tyres today at the Orpington branch ,Dave and Leo did not give up until the task was complete ,nothing was to much trouble , absolutely sterling service 5* staff eat 5***** service big thankyou National tyres Orpington.

Tie rod end seal cover damage
Tie rod end nut damage rounded
Very bad experience
Unprofessional
Went for alignment and they damaged the tie rod end.

I recently had all 4 tyres changed on my vehicle at this branch. To my shock, one tyre was installed backwards, making my car unsafe to drive and an instant MOT failure. I only found out because I had an MOT scheduled 48 hours later. Had to waste time going back to get it fixed and retake the MOT. Extremely disappointed with the lack of care and professionalism. How could they let me drive away in a dangerous vehicle? Now I have a failed MOT on my record too. Definitely won't be returning and can't recommend to others. Be careful if you use their services!

Web Order Reference: W8318054

Had an irreparable puncture and needed a new tyre, National Tyres didn't have one in stock but ordered it for the following day. They phoned me immediately it arrived and fitted it within 30 minutes of my return to the workshop. Staff, especially Dave (who gave me a doughnut to eat while I was waiting), were all really friendly and helpful. I'll be returning for servicing and any repairs needed and MOTs in the future.

Repeat review as previous review not responded to after adding invoice number.

I am writing this here as there is no accessible way online to complain to Halfords directly (chat service not able to talk at several times I have tried today).

I am a member of the Halfords Motoring Club and was booked in for a combined MOT and service today, at National Tyres Autocentre, Orpington for 11:30 drop-off.

1. I was called at around 08:40 to be advised head office had booked my MOT for 08:30. I was told they prefer to do MOT before service, but I was not given a clear explanation for why. However, if I could arrive as soon as possible, they could do the service and then my MOT as they had a gap in the afternoon. Why was my MOT booked in for 08:30? And why was this not checked before by the branch/head office? As a result, I had to rearrange my plans.
2. When I arrived at the garage to drop the car off around 10:00, I was advised that the service could not be completed because they did not have the appropriate oil and could not get hold of it. While I understand stock/supply issues, why wasn't stock checked at either branch or head office level prior? The appointment had been scheduled for 3 weeks.
3. The branch offered to complete the MOT at 12:40, so I returned and left the premises, being advised to return after 45 minutes, and if the MOT failed, I would be called. I returned after an hour expecting it to have passed since I had not been called. I was advised it had failed on the windscreen wipers. The colleague did apologise reporting he was too busy to call.
4. Needing the MOT, I returned after the replacement of the windscreen wipers. I was given my car keys but when starting the car, there was an error to do with the gearbox. The colleague did attend straight away to run a check to fix it. Why wasn't my car checked before it was returned to me?

Lastly, I was charged incorrectly as I was unable to have the service on the same day and take advantage of Motoring Club offer, however, this was rectified.

It was 3 pm when I got home, so effectively more than 6 hours for an MOT. I feel many of these instances could have been avoided with a bit of forethought.

I will appreciate a response from Halfords. Invoice: 494/9010215

*As of 07/08/24 there has been no further response after adding my invoice number, so I have reposted.

MOT 17 July 2024. Used this garage for 20 years and received very good service but recently the level of service has deteriorated with a lack of communication, inefficient workshop and prices risen significantly since Halfords take over. Will not use them again and will not recommend to others. There are far better and fairly priced garages in the area so avoid this one and go elsewhere.

Always use National tyres, good prices and always great staff at the Orpington branch.

Excellent service. Bent over backwards to fit me in with a tight time constraint. Really impressed

Needed a new tyre , found I could get 4 new tyres for same price as 2 from other suppliers & able to spread the cost for 6 months ,Bargain. Just hope the fitting go's as smoothly.....

Absolutely shocking customer service from the so-called manager, John. He is incredibly rude, talks to you as if you're stupid, and likes to talk about you behind your back...even if it's your husband!
Going through the reviews, it seems to be very common from him, especially if you're female.
He refused to put my new tyres on when my MOT failed, even though I had booked 4 new tyres as well as my MOT. In my opinion, the tyres should have been put on regardless if the car passed or not as that was what I had paid for. Instead, I had to drive my car on an illegal tyres whilst I fixed the issues with my car. He told me if he put them on I'd only have until the following day to get the issues sorted and get a free retest, otherwise he'd charge me for it. He apparently did me a favour by leaving them off, as that then gave me extra time to sort my car without being charged for the retest! I don't understand the logic. The tyres were ordered before the MOT and should have been put on regardless. I felt he had me in a corner. Every other garage I've been to do free retests for failed MOT's and give plenty of time to get the issues sorted. They also don't get bitter if you want to look around at other garages to get the best price for the work needed!
I also needed my windscreen washer looked at as it stopped working. It was probably just a simple issue such as checking the fuse but he told me it would cost me £50 for them to do a diagnostic test! I was taken aback as my local garage check your fuse for free. I mentioned this, (not in a rude way as he suggested!) and said for this reason I would take it there as I'd rather not pay another £50 before I even knew what the problem was. John didn't seem to like this, which i think is why he then accused me of being rude, and spoke about me to my husband behind my back. I think he was just bitter that i didn't let him do it for the extra money! And I'm glad I didn't as my local garage, (Watling Tyres in swanley, if you want a decent garage that treat you respectfully and don't try and fob you off!) did a simple check, found it was the fuse and replaced it for me, for the grand fee of.... NOTHING!
I tried to let the company know about my experience and they just passed it back to John who than called me and was again, incredibly rude! He had the cheek to tell me, and I quote, "you were hung up over money!" I'm not sure how he managed to get a management position when he lacks even an ounce of customer service.

Excellent service and tyres, chose Goodyear efficient grip for my van, so much better than the budget tyres. Much quieter and smoother ride.

Fitter, Lee, was friendly and very professional.

Would recommend.

I have been asked to review the on line experience. The online system has given me a different appointment to the one I requested and there is no way on line to change this. However when I phone the location tomorrow I am asuming this can be rectified.

Fantastic service, sorted out my tyre problem straight away, very helpful, many thanks.

Booking a slot and ordering tyres was easy with ratings and prices easy to follow. The fitting service was excellent with an explanation as to why the wheel alignment wasn't done due to issue with my car. Polite and courteous.

Easy to book and free. Always a good service at Orpington.

My whole family use National tyres even my brother in law that has a car company with over 50 cars for sale, booked on line for 2 new front tyres and wheel alignment at 9am then turn up to say cant do wheel alignment due to can’t go on ramp, then going to have to wait 1.5 hrs before can get to my vehicle I have taken the day off work for this which has cost me £250 I’m self employed, your service centre at Orpington Sevenoaks way is a joke you have just lost my family’s business and will be telling friends to go somewhere else, to top it off my money won’t be back to me upto 7-10 days seriously don’t know how you haven’t gone bust

I received notification for my MOT renewal along with an online exclusive offer of 30% off, making the total £38.39. On booking this the discount was only 16% & the total charged £44.99 - why was this? very disappointing, as I also booked another car in for a service & MOT.

Easy online ordering. Staff at Orpington were quick and efficient. A very good service.

Ordered tyres online and booked an available fitting slot for Monday, got a call Monday saying tyres haven’t arrived, so got to wait until I get a phone call to say they have arrived before I can book a fitting slot, rather annoying as I need to travel on a motorway and I shouldn’t go over 50mph with a skinny spare wheel.
On a plus side, the staff at Orpington were very polite and had the tyres fitted swiftly.