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Week of the 10th of April Took my Car (Ford Figo 1.4 . 85 005KM) CARtime and spoke to the lady behind the reception to find out the prices and how a MAJOR Service works. Got a Quote for R1595 for a MAJOR service. Mentioned to the receptionist to take a look at the hydraulic system as we top it up every month (might be a leak). Check Driver side door as it cannot open from outside. Fix spot lights as bulbs are dead. Receptionist said that if any parts are needed to fix anything other than the service, they will call me/whatsapp me with the prices and I can agree if they should proceed with the repair. Quote as of this week is R1595

13th of April 2023 Arrived at CARtime N1 city and spoke to the manager. He assisted me with the Quotation for a Major Service and said its going to be R+-2500. Explained that this is totally different Amount to when I came earlier in the week. Why is there hidden costs?? He explains its not hidden, its just because you car is of over 80 000KM and it’s a EXTRA R500 to change the Coolant fluid and “flush the system”. Explained that is not necessary so leave that out. He then explained that if there is a leak, I will have to pay an extra R495 to FIX the leak. Reluctantly agreed to this as I would assume this would be included in the MAJOR service (Unless extra/new parts are needed). The manager confirms with me if there are any new parts needed to fix door and any other problems. He will also whatsaap/call me with the Quotation and I can agreed to go ahead or not with the. Pierre calls me later the day to ask me what model and make is the car, when I gave him all those details at the shop already. I explained again, it’s a Ford Figo 1.4 2014 model. He tell me that it cant be as South Africa doesn’t make it, they make those models in the USA Only. I ask him to search on the internet please. He doesn’t agree. I then tell him, it’s a 1.3 and he agrees (called ended). I then go onto internet to confirm what car it is and we do have them in SA> and call Pierre back, explain to him the model and type of car. He then agrees. Pierre later the day, send me a pic of supposedly a rack for the driving shaft saying there leak is there. (a picture with a arrow pointing to a section in the diagram). I don’t make anything of it as I don’t know what im looking at, expecting him to give me prices of a new part is needed.

14th April 2023 Pierre calls me to say the car is ready and done. I say great, and what about the door and the hydraulics. He said he could not fix it. And the spot lights need to go to an auto electrician as they do not fix that there. He says the door needs a new lock. Not giving me pricing or anything. Call ends in confusion. I call him later to ask if he can fix or buy a new door lock and he says he can but its going to be expensve and take longer. Being fed up already, I just say leave it and I will pick up the car tomorrow (15th). He agrees.

15th of April

My partner and I arrive at CARtime and see the car is dirty outside and inside (car wash inside and out is included in the major service apparently). Brake light not replaced. Oil filter looks to be old one. Hydraulic fluid on empty. Detailed slip says only 5 things were done to car. Mechanic and manager of cartime says two different things in regards to what is included in the Major service. I actually asked the manager what is included in the major service and he named 4 things (the basics… , oil filter, air filter, timing. Spark plugs). I go to the mechanic and he lists all the things that should be done but he admits it wasn’t done (he apparently wasn’t working on the that specific car) Astonished with the service, I politely asked them to take the car again and please make sure everything is done correctly and don’t lie and say its done when its not. Went home and discussed with my brother and did a review search (should’ve done it before I took my care there). Went back to CARtime and spoke to the “head mechanic” a really nice guy and he actually admits to the poor service but I was fed up and just asked for my car back, take R400 off and let’s part ways. Manager reluctantly refunded me R395 and he says its coming out of his own pocket and not from the company (tactic to make me feel bad??) Picked up car, brake light luckily fixed, driver door still broke. Spot lights still broken. Mechanic says oil filter was changed.

Apparently the “manager of the manager” is coming on Monday the 17th from George, I asked if I could please have a word with him and manager of CARtime yes, sure, I will let him know. Will be going there Monday, hopefully this is not a lie either

I really dont know how this company has not been reported to the authorities for *****