The Worst Experience of My Life – Avoid Chery at All Costs

The Worst Experience of My Life – Avoid Chery at All Costs

This has been the worst experience I have ever had in my life. If you're thinking about buying a Chery and you're hopeful that your new car will be problem-free, with dealerships ready to support you—prepare for a major disappointment.

Chery is quick to take your money and sell you a car, but when it comes to breakdowns and troubleshooting, they are completely ***********.

Ongoing Towbar Issue My car has been back multiple times for a factory-installed towbar that never worked. After 1 year and 3 months, I still don’t have a functioning towbar. Keep in mind, they charge R10,000 for this add-on!

TCU and Gearbox Errors Then came the TCU box and gearbox errors. I took the car to Chery Century City, where they said a new computer box needed to be ordered. They told me it was safe to drive while we waited. The very next day, I was stranded. I had to tow the car to Chery Cape Gate, the closest dealership.

Cape Gate ran tests and claimed the battery was the issue. No faults were detected in the computer box. I paid over R4,000 for a new battery and was told everything was fine. I asked repeatedly if they had double-checked everything—they assured me it was just the battery.

Easter Weekend Breakdown I took the car on a trip to Bloemfontein over the Easter weekend (2025), only to be left stranded on the side of the road. The car wouldn’t start, wouldn’t shift gears—the exact same errors Cape Gate said were fixed. I had to tow it again, this time to Bloemfontein, on a Saturday.

Now, four days later, there’s still no clarity. Every time I call, they say they’ll get back to me "in a few minutes"—yet I get no real updates.

No Support, No Courtesy Vehicle I needed to be back in Cape Town by Monday for work, and I’m now stuck without a car. When I contacted Cape Gate Chery, I was told they have only two courtesy vehicles, and both are booked for two weeks. No effort was made to help.

Final Thoughts To this day, I have received no feedback on what’s wrong with my car. I’ve never been more disappointed in a brand. If you’re considering a Chery—don’t. Look at other brands and save yourself the time, money, and frustration