Unprofessional Service - Durban Champion!!!

Quicksure MV insurance appointed Durban Champion to repair my vehicle 2004 Mercedes C180, left front smash, damages to left fender wheel etc. My vehicle was collected on the 5th November 2018 and has been worked on since then. Durban Champion contacted me last Thursday 06/11/2018 and advised that the vehicle was ready for collection. I inspected the work carried out on the vehicle and highlighted a few problems. When I tried to start up the vehicle and it refused to start at first. When it eventually started up, it sounded like it had an engine time problem.

The gentlemen attending me at the time advised that this problem was due to the vehicle standing for a long period and could have dust in the air filters or spark plug corrosion etc. I was not prepared to accept the vehicle in this condition as the vehicle was in excellent mechanical condition prior to the accident. The vehicle has a full service history and has been well maintained thus far.

Since then I have been given various scenarios of what the problem is and could be, from sensors to electronics etc. Diagnostics initially conducted on the vehicle to reset the airbag and seat belt units revealed several other faults, I requested proof of these faults and was told that there was no print out. More diagnostics were done on the vehicle revealing more mechanical faults and when I requested further proof, I was told that there was no print out. Changes were made to some of the engine sensors in an attempt to resolve problem.

This has been ongoing for the last week and every time I contacted Durban Champion for an update there was some new finding. The latest is that the computer box was tampered with, a loan unit was brought in to diagnose fault and I was told that the vehicle functioned 100% with the loan unit.

Since then I was advised by Durban Champion that the computer box from my vehicle was removed and sent for further diagnostics. There was some negative report on the computer box and the technician made some changes to clear faults found. Upon reinstalling the computer box, the vehicle now refuses to start up. I was contacted by Durban Champion was told that there are faults with the compute box and that they are now requesting further quotations to repair the computer box and that i would be liable for cost of repairs.

My experience thus far with the service provider appointed by Quicksure is unpleasant and unacceptable. I am extremely frustrated at the manner in which this matter is being dealt with. I expected professionalism from start to finish however, all I have been receiving is excuses upon excuses.

NB: this vehicle had last been serviced at 120400 kms, it’s now on +/- 127000 kms and its strange that it is due for a service so soon. Surely, if there were problems with this vehicle, it would have been mentioned at the last service interval. Further this I had taken the vehicle for the road worthy test and it passed without any faults.

stay away from this service provider if you can. .....and i'm still waiting to hear about my vehicle!!!