Bad Service and withholding accident details from sale

Item: AutoCity Group
Rating: 1
Author: Antonei B

KIA Heidelberg, part of the AutoCity Group:

Unfortunately my experience went from bad to worst - we bought a double cab Volkswagen Amarok from KIA Heidelberg, an accident free vehicle being one of our main requirements- there was a couple of things which they needed to sort out, for example marks on the back-seat (which they said is only dirt), which they only covered up with something temperamentally, which came off 2 months later.

The registration papers that was suppose to be safely courier to us, was lost.

At the first service, the VW mechanic asked us whether we were aware that the vehicle was in an accident with worked done on both the left doors, left panel, right front panel as well as the radiator. KIA Heidelberg takes zero responsibility, based on that saying that what do we define as an accident, and just claiming they didn't know.

We had the vehicle for less than 6months - they offer us R50,000 less than what we paid - and the Agent say it is a win-win solution and if I'm not happy we can speak to their lawyers. I'm shocked that dealers get away with this - you would think the reason you buy through a dealer is that you don't get **********. We had to follow-up with end-less times (over weeks) just to get the papers, the roadworthy etc sorted. I would strongly advise against dealing with KIA Heidelberg.

20 Smit St, Industrial, Heidelberg - GP, 1438, South Africa.

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Replies (1)

AutoCity Group's replyOfficial

10 Nov 2021, 08:59

Good day Antonei,

We are sorry that you did not have an exceptional experience with AutoCity Kia Heidelberg.

We investigated your complaint and noted the following:

- Our Kia Branch Manager took the vehicle to Pretoria where he met you and went through the vehicle with you. Notes were made on items that you were not happy about. Our Sales Executive also delivered the vehicle to you in Pretoria and went through the vehicle with you again. We sent the vehicle to a valet centre to clean the seats, we did not know that the seats were still an issue 2 months later, as this was not mentioned to us after delivery.

-The registration papers were sent to you via a courier due to your location and our dealership being 150 kilometres from each other. Unfortunately, the courier company slipped up, but we resolved the issue within a week from when we found out that you never received the papers.

-As explained in the morning, we are not aware of this vehicle being in an accident. A Dekra report was done on the vehicle, which does not indicate anything regarding an accident, they merely mentioned that the B-pillar left was dented.

-As discussed with your husband in the meeting we had this morning, as a sign of goodwill, we are willing to pay over market related value for the vehicle that was bought from us. We have in turn also offered your husband a vehicle that he is interested in which you declined. At the same time, we offered him an Amarok which he declined due to a change in his lifestyle, and he indicated that he wanted a different type of vehicle now.

We at Kia Heidelberg believe that we have put numerous, fair offers to resolve your concerns raised.

Our offer still stands, and we are hoping to solve your concerns amicably.

Regards,

Autocity Kia Heidelberg

AutoCity Group's reply10 Nov 2021, 08:59

Official