AA Survey
Motorists' group The AA have performed three surveys of European service stations, which included visiting a small number of UK ones. These were in 2000/2001, 2004 and 2007. One was also reported to have taken place in 1985.
In addition, the AA have commented on the general quality of service stations many times, usually with reference to the price of fuel. They also used to have kiosks within some services.
The Survey
In each survey, the UK's services usually fare poorly compared to their European equivalents, although their performance did improve each time. The surveys would consider road safety, facilities, food, shopping, pricing and hygiene, and would usually raise grave concerns about at least one of the services assessed.
Although an individual score was published for each category, the totals are listed below. A detailed breakdown, where available, is provided on each page.
1985
As an older survey, the 1985 survey looked at a few smaller details. It criticised Frankley for selling coffee for 60p, whereas Aust sold coffee for 35p. They were generally satisfied with Gordano, Washington and Woodall northbound, despite a 20 minute wait for food at Gordano and chipped plates at Woodall. They said they were generally disappointed with the quality of the food.
2000/2001
- Maidstone: acceptable (the best surveyed)
- Gretna: acceptable
- Hilton Park: acceptable
- Medway: acceptable
- Newport Pagnell: acceptable
- Reading: acceptable
- Warwick: acceptable
- Exeter: poor
- Lancaster: poor
- Michaelwood: poor
- Bolton West: very poor
- Woolley Edge: very poor (the worst surveyed)
2004
- Oxford: acceptable
- Woolley Edge: acceptable
- Clacket Lane: poor
- Frankley: poor
- Tebay: poor
- Sandbach: very poor ("the worst in Europe")
2007
- Cardiff West: acceptable
- Clacket Lane: acceptable
- Magor: acceptable
- Norton Canes: acceptable
- Fleet: poor
- Toddington: poor