Seven Months Without My Vehicle – Broken Promises, Poor Communication, and Unacceptable Customer Service

On 9 January 2026, I purchased a "brand-new" 2026 Foton View 2.0D 15-seater from CMH Isuzu East Rand (Boksburg). I bought the vehicle to operate my scholar transport business.

Less than a month later, on 6 February 2026, the vehicle broke down. It suddenly began smoking, would not select gears, and the reverse camera also stopped working. The following day, 7 February 2026 I delivered the vehicle to CMH Isuzu East Rand for repairs.

I was assured that the dealership would diagnose the vehicle and provide me with a diesel report within two weeks. That never happened.

Instead, weeks turned into months. I was left chasing the dealership for updates, with little to no communication unless I initiated contact. Every deadline came and went, and every promise was replaced with another excuse.

After exhausting every reasonable avenue with the dealership, I had no choice but to escalate the matter to the Motor Industry Ombudsman of South Africa (MIOSA) under Case No. 515587/MT simply to get movement on a matter that should have been resolved months earlier.

Eventually, I was presented with an invoice for R36,792.00. I expressed my concern about paying the full amount before any repairs had actually been completed and requested to pay 50% upfront and the balance upon completion. My request was declined, and I was assured that if I paid the full amount, my vehicle would be repaired and ready for collection within two weeks

Trusting the dealership's assurance, I made payment of the full amount on 19 June 2026.

Once again, the dealership failed to honour its commitment. The promised two-week turnaround came and went, and my vehicle was still not repaired. I was then informed that injectors which had allegedly been available were no longer available because they had been sold, and that new parts had to be sourced. As the customer, I found it unacceptable that I was expected to bear the consequences of the dealership's internal delays after I had already paid the full amount they demanded.

To date, I have endured over Five months without the vehicle that I purchased brand new. During this time, I have suffered substantial financial losses as my scholar transport business depends entirely on that vehicle. I have also experienced immense stress, inconvenience and countless hours spent following up on a matter that should never have reached this stage.

What has disappointed me even more than the delays has been the dealership's attitude. Instead of acknowledging the hardship caused by months of broken promises, poor communication and missed deadlines, the Dealer Principal, Vishal Harkoo, informed me that he "will not be debating the matter" with me and that they would only respond through MIOSA.

That response perfectly sums up my experience as a customer. There has been no accountability, no empathy and no willingness to take ownership of the situation. I purchased a brand-new vehicle in good faith, yet within a month it was unusable, and more than five months later I am still fighting to have the matter resolved.

I cannot recommend CMH Isuzu East Rand (Boksburg) based on my experience. Buying a new vehicle should be an exciting milestone, not the beginning of months of financial hardship, broken promises, poor communication and the need to involve the Ombudsman simply to receive the service you paid for.