Mitsubishi Menlyn - *********ly sells spraypainted car

My dissatisfaction with Mitsubishi continues. Following my ordeal last week where it took a week to discover that my Mitsubishi ASX ceased due to one fuse (!), I lost confidence in the brand and decided to trade it in on another car.

I purchased my Mitsubishi ASX from CMH Menlyn in December 2016 as a demo model. I was told that the car salesman who previously drove it didn’t treat the car well but that it was in good shape. They have given me good service in the past so I considered trading in my ASX on a Mazda CX5. I was quickly told that they would give me R200000 as a trade-in value. I looked at other vehicles too and Suzuki Centurion offered me R180000. I was horrified when Subaru Centurion only offered me R150000 on the basis that the bonnet had been spray-painted! I had to be told how to see it (it feels rough around the edges).

I visited the dealership yesterday and spoke to the dealer principal Pieter. He looked at the car and confirmed that the bonnet had been spray-painted. He alluded that I could have spray-painted the vehicle yet said he’s not pointing fingers (!), that two years had passed and that he would have to look at the file. He said that he would get back to me this morning. He didn’t.

When I shared my story with my colleagues, one of them told me that he saw that the bonnet had been spray-painted a week within the time that I bought it but that he didn’t want to burst my bubble so he kept quiet. He said he would give an affidavit to that effect. I phoned Pieter at 12:45 this afternoon. He didn’t apologise for not getting back to me, basically told me that there is nothing on the file to indicate spray-paint costs. He asked why my colleague didn't tell me..! He asked if I want to use it as a trade-in (the cheek, given the circumstances)! I told him I demand a new bonnet. He rep**** that two years had passed and that they have no interest in my claim. I told him I would take it further on Hello Peter and social media and he said I’m welcome and that I can even go to the ombudsman. Clearly he doesn’t know me.

I wonder if the person who gave me the R200000 trade-in noticed the spray-paint?

I request that Mitsubishi South Africa investigate the matter as a matter of urgency and to involve the previous sales person José André who no longer works there. I want a replacement bonnet, nothing more, nothing less! I also need to know what the process is to take this up with the Ombudsman if I don't get a favourable response!