A1, A1 German Prestige Specialists

A1 German Prestige Specialists

Independent BMW, Mercedes, Audi, VW, Porsche Service & Parts in Stevenage

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions for A1 FAQ

Here we answer typical questions you might have. From Supplying your own parts, booking a courtesy car or finding out more information about leaving a deposit to book your car in at our workshop.

Does Independent German Car Specialists take American Express?

Sorry, A1 currently does not accept AMEX payments, but we do offer several other payment methods, including Mastercard, Visa, Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal.

More of our General Questions for A1 FAQs

I have booked and paid online but have not received an email confirmation yet?

If you have placed your order online and have not received an email confirmation, then please call us. We will be able to check your booking on our system and send you a manual confirmation. Please make sure you check your spam email inbox first!

What should I do if my air con is no longer working after my recharge?

We recommend returning to us, and we would be happy to check this for you. It could be possible that there is a leak or a problem with the air conditioning compressor.

How often do I need to recharge my air-con?

In-car air-conditioning systems should be recharged every two years with gas and lubricant to ensure the best performance. Contact us to speak to us about our air-con re-gas service.

Do you fit car bulbs?

Yes, here at A1 we can fit a range of bulbs supplied by Ring Automotive, including high-performance bulbs for improved nighttime visibility.

What do the last 6 digits of a VIN mean?

The last six digits of a VIN are a production number. Each car receives one as it’s being assembled. Usually, they go up sequentially, but this is not always the case.

What do the first 3 digits of a VIN mean?

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a 17-digit code that is used in the same way that a name would be. It can tell you a number of things about your car. The first three digits tell you information about the location and manufacturer of your car (otherwise known as the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI):

1) The first digit (or letter) tells you the country of origin.
2) The second digit or letter tells you the manufacturer.
3) The third digit or letter tells you the model of your car.

Can I leave my car at A1 German Car Specialists?

Yes. You can either wait at the centre while your vehicle is being looked at or, if the repairs are going to take longer, leave the car and collect it when the work is completed.

Does Independent German Car Specialists accept cash?

Accepted payment methods can change from time to time. We can, however, accept cash up to the value of £3000. Anything more, we'd prefer card payment or a bank transfer.

Do you have any courtesy cars?

Yes, we have two courtesy cars that are available for use when you wish to drop a car off with us for service, upgrade, or repair. But please do book in advance. Because we only have limited numbers, please book early. When you book online, if a courtesy car is available on a specific date, you will have the option to select one. If one is not available, there will not be an option. If you get really stuck, feel free to call us, and we will check. Additionally, the Stevenage bus station and Stevenage train station are just a 20-minute walk away.

Can I leave my car at A1 German Car and Bike Specialists?

Yes. You can either wait at our workshop while your vehicle is being looked at or, if the repairs are going to take longer, leave the car with us and collect it when the work is completed. We also have a number of courtesy cars that can be booked online. Simply make a booking via our website and we will be able to let you know if a courtesy car is available or not.

Can you fit my own parts e.g. tyres, exhausts, batteries etc. that I have purchased elsewhere / supplied myself?

A1 German Car and Bike Specialists have a policy to not fit tyres or other parts that have been supplied by our customers rather than our own suppliers. This policy is agreed based on two considerations; firstly safety as we want to be sure that we can ensure the integrity of the parts, and secondly warranty support as this ensures clear responsibility under warranty if there are problems in the future with the product or service.