Haynes Repair Manuals Reviews 98

TrustScore 1 out of 5

1.2

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Evaluating 54 reviews, most reviewers were let down by their experience overall. Many customers found the online manuals to be a complete waste of money, often describing them as a rip-off due to the lack of meaningful and specific data for their vehicles. People expressed disappointment with the product's quality, noting that the content was generic and lacked the detailed repair procedures and specific information expected from a workshop manual. Reviewers also felt that the online platform did not provide the value for money they anticipated, with some suggesting that free online resources offered more accurate information. Some people also felt that the website itself presented issues, such as difficulty logging in or finding useful information, further contributing to their dissatisfaction. Many long-time users of the brand's traditional printed manuals were particularly dismayed by the decline in quality and specificity in the digital versions, which they found to be a poor substitute for the excellent physical books.

What people talk about most

Product

Consumers find the product to be ambiguous, with many expressing disappointment and frustration with the... See more

Value for money

Customers had negative experiences with value for money, with many reviewers describing their purchases as... See more

Website

Reviewers express significant dissatisfaction with the website, describing it as a complete waste of money... See more

Quality

Reviewers highlight negative aspects of quality, with many expressing disappointment that the digital manuals... See more

Price

Clients share strong dissatisfaction regarding the price, frequently describing purchases as a "complete... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I wish I had read these reviews before purchasing an online manual for my Jaguar XJ. My review is the same as most others, a complete waste of money bordering on a rip-off. No detailed diagrams or ins... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Ditto the other reviews ! Bought online manual and just generic rubbish. Emailed Haynes, left voice messages, and to their parent company in France and uk, nobody replies. Nothing short of a scam and... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

These manuals are a criminal rip off!! Having used many Haynes printed manuals in the past, I was expecting detailed step by step repair instructions with photos. There are none!! Nothing but generi... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

The digital manuals are really poor compared to the detailed print versions. Hard to follow, miss elements out and say- “refer to main dealer” or something similar. They are no longer repair manu... See more


Company details

  1. Car Service
  2. Auto Repair Shop
  3. Car Accessories Store
  4. Car Repair and Maintenance
  5. Mechanic

Information provided by various external sources

Explain how to carry out routine maintenance, restoration and servicing of cars and motorcycles, and are aimed primarily at the Do-it-yourselfer.


Contact info

1.2

Bad

TrustScore 1 out of 5

98 reviews

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

If I could give zero stars I would

If I could give zero stars I would. Compilation of useless facts probably by an IT expert and certainly not a qualified car technician/ mechanic. It’s that bad I can’t even blame Ai as it would have been better . My own fault for not checking reviews but like so many others I mistakenly trusted the Haynes past reputation. Disappointing waste of money that has left me non the wiser . To add injury to insult this is also subscription based .

July 26, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Useless

As a Haynes manual user of many years I believed that I was buying a digital version with the autofix manual. I bought a car specific manual only to discover that it is not and the videos and most information do not relate to my car at all. It is absolutely useless to enable a DIY enthusiast to confidently carry out minor repairs. Not all parts can be seen in the locations tab and the navigation system sends you back to the start. There is nothing of value for me in this digital manual that I can find. Even the pictures of the parts do not necessarily reflect the actual part needed. I found this to be a complete waste of money and a rip off that has played on the reputation of the once excellent Haynes manuals of the past.

July 19, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

To generic

Waste of money will attempt to get a refund. If i wanted Generic information about cars i would have googled it. no technical drawings of engine layout.
Each manafacturer is differant generic information marketed as vehicle specific is deceitful at best and fraudulant at worst.

July 20, 2025
Unprompted review
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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

old paper copies yayyy - new online manuals NOOOOOOOOOO!

wow how shocked and appalled am i about the online Haynes manuals. i have always in the past bought a paper copy Haynes manual for every car i ever owned and found them indispensable when carrying out repairs or servicing on my cars, and i still have a paper copy for my 2015 Audi A4, but i recently also purchased a Hyundai i40 2019 and was gutted to find Haynes do not do a paper copy anymore and i have to buy and view online, but as i have always found the manuals indispensable i signed up and paid for the Hyundai i40 online manual expecting the same level of information step by step guide on maintaining the car. OMG how times have changed and how the standard of the material in the online 'manual' has changed. I am absolutely gutted about the lack of information and actually feel cheated. DO NOT BUY the online manuals if you are expecting the same level of information as the old paper copies, you will be disappointed.

July 16, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Waste of money, generic information - need more info and especially OE Part numbers

Complete waste of money, wish I saw these reviews before I paid for the "online manual"... Too generic information... why would you show photos of all types of vehicles (Subaru, Mercedes, Toyota, etc) when I have paid for a specific BMW manual??? Specifics I would expect to find in a real workshop manual.
The only marginally useful items are torque specs.... what is sorely lacking is OE part numbers - useless purchase! wish I could get a refund as I will not be using the online thing...
........
Update on this case, I received comms and a refund from Hayes, with a genuine interest in why this does not work for me. I would still need to find a more workshop style manual (Nuts & Bolts accuracy) with none of the generic bits... however increased the star rating due to after sales support!

July 7, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Haynes online manuals a scam

I have purchased and used Haynes paper manuals for 60 years. I recently purchased 2 online manuals from them. They are appalling. There is no specific detail on my cars all just general stuff thta the home mechanic would be more than familiar with. How they get away with this i do not know. I have requested a refund with no success so far. Don't buy them they are a waste of money

July 3, 2025
Unprompted review
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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Thankful (for the reviews which stopped me wasting my money on a Haynes Autofix ‘manual.’

I’ve always bought printed Haynes Manuals for all my cars and motorcycles and wanted to get one for my 2015 Honda Jazz Mk3. It seems that Haynes would rather concentrate on novelty books on WWII fighter aircraft and tanks whilst relegating their old core market to an online fault code translation service, which seems to leave unfortunate buyers unimpressed.
I understand that, relative to the 1970s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s manufacturers are updating their model line-ups more frequently- and electronics faster than that- but there are still a few of us who appreciate help with the mechanical stuff (torque settings etc) in printed book form. Haynes diversification, whilst undoubtedly a commercial lifeline, is frustrating when you can buy a manual for a Tiger tank but not for your everyday transport!
I was going to buy the Haynes Autofix online manual in the absence of anything else being available but in light of the reviews above I’ll save my money.

June 17, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I wish I'd seen these reviews before I…

I wish I'd seen these reviews before I wasted $55 on a Captiva "manual" !
There seems to be zero specific info on the vehicle, I kept thinking I must be doing something wrong, but no, it's just ABSOLUTE RUBBISH !!!!!
I put in for a refund and if they think they can ignore me, like them seem to be, they're in for a surprise.
I still have old paper manuals and they were excellent, what the hell has happened to them ???

June 10, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Autofix - Awful, Awful, Awful!

What the ???? Haynes used to be THE name to go to for car manuals. This online/autofix incarnation has destroyed any trust whatsoever in the Haynes name as far as I'm concerned. Have had some time to use this online manual now and any job that has cropped up is really lucky if it's covered. Even if it is covered it's nothing more than a cursory overview with pretty much zero useful information. Absoute rubbish. Haynes should be ashamed of themselves for putting these out. If you can get a physical, hardback version for your vehicle then great, otherwise AVOID 'Autofix' and use youtube instead.

July 6, 2024
Unprompted review
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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Haynes Autofix is a rip off

I totally concurr with all the previous negative reviews. Haynes Autofix really is disgraceful it brings shame to previously well respected Company. To save their reputation they should reimburse all the disgruntled customers, and withdraw the product.

May 20, 2025
Unprompted review
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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Autofix is absolute rubbish

Autofix is absolute rubbish, DO NOT waste your time. 90% is generic guidance for all vehicles. 10% is supposedly specific to my vehicle although doesn’t appear accurate.

Such a disappointment from such a previously trusted source of information.

Generic videos and guidance for all vehicles, which is borderline unsafe - what if I followed the vague guide for a light vehicle with my 3.5T vehicle? I purchased the manual for a Citroen Relay van, and spent some time talking to customer services about exactly which engine model etc to “make sure I have the correct manual”. Utterly pointless endeavour because it’s all generic advice anyway.

April 1, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Useless waste of money

I bought the Autofix manual for my car. I was very disappointed at the small amount of car-specific data and how useless it was! Also some of the drawings were from some other car, not the one I have. Drawings did not have any parts named, only torques. There was no instructions at all, only for the engine part. Waste of money, do not buy!
Update: I did get an answer from Haynes customer service and got my money back, so thank you Holly!

May 8, 2025
Unprompted review

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