AA Approved Garage Network  Reviews 

Use AA approved garages and AA Smart Care at your peril and do not believe that they are honest just because they are AA approved. They are not. I chose the nearest garage to me from the AA approved Smart Care list for an MOT and service which they arranged. The garage - Hackney Car Centre - told me my car needed "brakes all round" to pass its MOT. It did not. He charged me £450 for new brake pads and claimed I had to pay him direct, unlike the actual service and MOT for which I paid the AA. He refused a receipt which made me suspicious and I found he had not done anything to the brakes. He lied and said he had entered the brake pad replacement "on the Mercedes data base". In the face of my proof he offered to refund, then did not. I submitted proof of the fraud to the AA. What did the AA do? Nothing. It didn't look at my car. It claimed to have launched an investigation which left me hanging for two months. Then it said it was my problem because I had paid the garage direct when the garage should have failed the car on the brakes and informed them and they would have charged me. Instead he did the so-called repair without failing the car. The Motor Ombudsman has backed them. I am a journalist and have proof of what I say, including the car's maintenance history/mileage and photos of the so-called replaced brake pads showing they are not new at all in a written report from an honest garage. I also have the texts between Mehmet and I in which he first claims the car needed brakes, then refuses to give a receipt, then on seeing my proof, offers a full refund which he did not give. And don't bother with the Motor Ombudsman. They turned down my complaint because I had paid the garage not the AA even though the brake work was part of the AA arranged MOT and the AA admits that their garage had not followed its proper procedure. Because Mehmet of Hackney car centre did not inform the AA of the alleged brake failure - they were in fact in good condition - and because he refused a receipt saying the AA would send me one, he has got away with it. What else did this AA approved garage do? Did it check the seat belts, change the oil, change the filters? So be careful, I'm sure most of their garages are honest but in view of my experience, it's best to check the work before you pay because you won't get help from the AA if things go wrong.

Had an MOT for my car. No issues. The garage did the checks quick and professional. Had to wait a little longer than promised, but not excessive.

Service and MOT. The garage itself was fine - they communicated OK and the work done seems to be fine. The issue I have is that every decision had to go through the AA first leading to delays. In the end my car had to be kept overnight which was not expected. Additionally, for one piece of work the garage informed me it was needed, but I had to chase the AA myself to prompt them to send the approval through. When they did, they sent it with a zero price (which I approved to get the work done) and the AA then had to send another one through with the correct price on. Not a great experience.

Absolutely fabulous experience, professional, polite and super efficient garage. Best service n mot ai have had after 40 yrs of driving. Fast and brilliant garage.

Thank the garage on my behalf.

Whilst the collect and drop off service was appreciated, there were no status / progress updates throughout the service/mot day.
Despite numerous chases to the AA and the garage, I couldn’t obtain confirmation that relevant hybrid battery checks had been performed - not on the service paperwork and then fobbed off/ignored after. Both garage and AA websites stated that Hybrid checks were included. Extremely disappointing at misleading info and lack of response so wont use again and a warning to all Hybrid car users expecting what should be a standard service check.
AA reply - I have reached out to the garage and AA smart care team with no / unsatisfactory response - another example of lack of proactive customer care.

Booking car service was easy, but during service was not. I didn't receive any updates also I was not notified when my car was ready to be picked up.

It’s so easy and reliable, they come and take your car away , full service and mot and then deliver it back .A1 5*****

Best price through AA, good communication at every stage. CATs Ipswich, helpful receptionist, prompt service and feedback. (2nd yr using AA...had a full service last year too, fraction of the price compared to going independently anywhere else )

There seems to be some tension between the participating Garages and AA Smartcare. Prices available to me as a customer are better through AA Smartcare with the same garage. Collection and delivery are free rather than at extra cost, than the same garage offer. The price is also cheaper through the service. However, delays always occur with the garage receiving parts which means the cost of additional repairs are higher (the garage state they are able to source parts at better value and faster.

In the last instance, our car was collected on a Monday and returned on Saturday. The garage report they were chasing AA Smartcare.

However, Payment assist can not be ignored. The initial cost is spread over a 4 months 0% credit. Extra costs for additional work are also able to be spread over the same terms.

We have 3 cars and so this is an important option for us.

I have accessibility needs and set aside funds in anticipation. However, increased costs are the most significant factor in deciding whether to use this service. We use the garage because they have been a brilliant support to us over the last 6 years, or 15 drivers years.

The staff were very helpful and hardworking. I got my car back on the same day! Very impressed.

Collected from home. Serviced and MOT’d. Delivered back. Do this every year for both cars. Great service

Excellent service.

Excellent garage & service… very professional & polite… everything around the MOT from start to finish went as explained… Very good!… thank you!

I went through the AA for peace of mind, but this experience was far from it.

I booked my MOT through them, but when I called the garage beforehand, I was told the AA had never confirmed the booking. With my MOT already expired, I was left without a car for a whole weekend.

It didn't end there. I paid for the necessary repairs, but the money wasn't taken until three weeks later, and when it was, it sent my account into overdraft.

Also, £100 for a diagnostic is ridiculous.

Poor communication and poor organisation from a company that promises to take the stress away. It did the opposite.

Great collection services and very friendly, a bit disappointed in the cost for clearing the engine management light as I have the equipment to clear this its now back on .
I understand its part of the MOT .
But all good, great service

Super quick, thorough and nice guys. Went for an MOT and would recommend!

The mechanic was very polite. Arrived on time and did a good job