Abysmal service from Audi SA & Bidvest

<p>My well maintained A4 (2010 model, 72 000km, full service history) has been steadily consuming large quantities of oil. The vehicle has no leaks, and no exhaust smoke to mark probable cause. I took the vehicle to Umhlanga Audi (car was purchased and serviced there) - for an oil consumption test. I had to pay for the test, two trips between my residence (Stanger) and Umhlanga and oil top-ups. I was informed by the service agent that the car had failed the test and would need stripping of the engine to determine the cause of engine failure. Nonetheless, they submitted a quote for R71 000 to completely overhaul the engine.</p> <p> </p> <p>Subsequently, the vehicle was transferred to Midbay motors (Richards Bay) because of the refusal of Audi Umhlanga to drop my wife at home upon delivery of the vehicle. The dealer principal Ravi Naidoo was extremely rude and only agreed to have her dropped off at his convenience, and stated that this was "incurring him costs" (facts that Audi Umhlanga neglect to mention to Stanger residents that purchase cars from them)</p> <p> </p> <p>Midbay Audi stripped the engine and a report was submitted to Bidvest as my warranty extension is held with them. The car was delivered to Midbay on 06.12.2016 - neither party (Bidvest & Audi SA) is willing to provide a courtesy vehicle. On 23.12.2016, I received an ill-worded rejection letter from Bidvest informing me that my claim had been rejected: "It was report by the dealer that the failure is not has a result of any breakage or wear and tear." The letter vaguely quotes a section of my policy defining a "breakdown" as physical breaking or shorting out of components - even to a layperson like me, engine failure constitutes a breakdown in the normal functionality of the car.</p> <p> </p> <p>Audi SA has refused to repair \ replace the car or any parts thereof, because Bidvest holds the warranty - even though it is a glaring manufacturer defect that they themselves cannot identify or define. Bidvest refuses to acknowledge that engine failure is tantamount to breakdown \ wear as covered by their policy. I am currently without a vehicle since 06.12.2016, with neither party willing to assist in providing a replacement \ repair the vehicle. The office of the Ombudsman is closed until 04.01.2017 which leaves me with no recourse and vehicle for a month before any action can be taken. I have been topping up expensive synthetic oil at a litre per average of 700km , paid for tests, travelled between Stanger & Umhlanga, then Richards Bay - all of which is a glaring message to the unsuspecting consumer - Audi SA sells defective vehicles, then refuses to accept liability as long as there is third party coverage & Bidvest refuses to honour their policy coverage in the hopes that the consumer will accept an ill worded technical letter that explains nothing.</p>