ABSA vehicle finance has proven that a client is just a number

I wrote my first review about ABSA during October 2024 when I bought a vehicle through their vehicle finance department. The vehicle broke down in three months and that's where my nightmare started. Since I'm used to exceptional after sales service from both dealership and FSP, my knowledge regarding the procedure to cancel a contract under HP is completely ********. I'm talking 30 years plus. I contacted the dealership, treated like ******* and left me with a vehicle to repair at my own cost. Take in mind the vehicle is a 2019 model and the deal is about 3 months old, did less than 4000 kms.

I had to get the vehicle running as it was standing for 1.5 months, unfortunately I had to use money not planned for, thus resulting me falling in arrears by one month. All of a sudden ABSA contacted me because I'm in arrears. The agent told me I could cancel the HP, giving me two months to catch up since it's a new account, however I thought the bank would assist afterwards. How stupid I've been.....

After no assistance and contacting the CEO of the dealership plus extra costs from my pockets I've been paid back my expenses by the dealership. The vehicle had more under underlying problems than I realized, but I've been assured the vehicle passed the inspections required. Tyres, brakes (repaired) etc etc....the worst yet to come.

Unfortunately I experienced financial challenges and had to apply for debt review. All went well until my vehicle had a serious failure. I did not trust the vehicle after the first breakdown, and the location I'm in has no VW agents. I tried to repair the vehicle and went under default and had it running for about 3 months. Once again ABSA could contact me, remember previous communication were ignored. They did not work through my councilor and I've been harassed by a company called Umvelo, which apparently deals with their risk assessments and gave me 72 hours to pay an amount equal to 4 months and a lot of interest. This even happen during the weekend on my private Whatsapp. Shocking and new to met, thus I almost signed my vehicle away, voluntary. Thank you to my debt councilor who assisted. Debt Review were re instated. I even were informed by the Umvelo agent that I must remember the vehicle is old, why did ABSA not discussed the risk with me, yet they financed the vehicle.

And then, once more my vehicle suffered a total electrical failure. It's been standing for close to four months now, I pay for something I cannot use. In the meantime I suffer to travel.

I used money again, tried to get assistance from private technicians, and defaulted again. I'm aware of the consequences of defaulting, I've did research, but this is not what the concern is about.

Basically I've lost my extended warranty and service plan, due to the vehicle unable to be taken for it's service. Obviously ABSA couldn't wait to terminate, it's basically the only time you hear from them.

Since 2024 I've received no assistance or advise from ABSA, I only realized afterwards that they don't deal with the cancellation of a hire purchase, not informed by ABSA, but by Umvelo. I got only two responses from ABSA recently, namely endless reference numbers and wrong departments. I've requested that all communication must be done via electronic mail as I do not trust ABSA. I included every possible department in my mails, even my debt councilor who always assist where possible. During this month alone I've been informed three times that the account were terminated from debt review, yet.no feedback on what happens next. Today I did received a mail stating an x amount, which is confusing to me. The amount does not add up.

What I think is going to happen? Repossession will probably follow, the collection of the vehicle will be probably done by means of a rollback. All these costs incurred will be to my account plus the good old interest. Afterwards the vehicle will be sold on an auction for next to nothing to a car dealership who is experienced in that and the rest to the client plus interest, not there problem afterwards if the client loses everything.

I have my own version of this, and yes I'm not educated and do not have a legal department behind me, but I have rights. Fortunately I have 90% off the ignored communication, neglected to advise. I'm definitely going to get legal advise, this I've already discussed with legal advise suppliers. This needs to be taken seriously, after publication on HelloPeter the FSP sents an apology, reference number, that you will be called by someone and there it stops.