Sold a Defective Ford Fiesta ST – No Disclosure, No Support

I purchased a Ford Fiesta ST from Bargain Auto earlier this year, financed through WesBank. Within one week of taking delivery, the car broke down completely.

Ford later quoted me R170,608.89 for repairs – almost the full value of the car. To make matters worse, I have now learned from Ford that the engine had been worked on previously, something that was never disclosed to me at the time of sale.

On top of that, I was given a R33000 discount to waive my CPA mechanical warranty rights, which I now realise was done under false pretenses. The warranty provider has confirmed that their limit is R90,000, leaving me with an R80,000 shortfall for an engine that should never have failed in the first place.

This has left me in a situation where:

I am paying instalments on a car that is defective and unroadworthy.

I am facing massive financial prejudice for a vehicle I barely drove.

The dealer has shown no accountability for selling me a defective car.

I am extremely disappointed by the lack of honesty and transparency in this transaction, and I feel the deal was made in bad faith. Consumers deserve to know what they are buying, especially when it involves such large financial commitments.

I am now escalating this matter to MIOSA, and if needed, to the NCC and NCR, because Bargain Auto has failed to take responsibility.