FORD KUGA RESALE VALUES NOT WHAT THEY SEEM

In January this year, 2018, I purchased a 2015 Ford Kuga 1.5 Trend AWD from CMH in Durban. Asking price was R240 000.00, but because of a pricing mix up on a VW Kombi they offered me the Kuga at R 220 000.00, a good deal I thought.

Well, how things change, I go in November to trade the Kuga in on a more fuel economic car, to find out that you cant give these cars away, and not because they are bad cars, but the issues surrounding the cars catching on fire, and the lingering perception, affects the resale so badly.

Please note that the 2015 models are manufactured after the line that catches on fire.

I was offered R140 000.00, for my car, at Ford Waterfall in KZN, meaning that in 10 Months my car has devalued by almost 30% in 10 months to trade values, not even retail value, which means a greater % loss, And that was the offer from Ford, who claim to have faith in their product, and that the product/s carry great resale value, but this clearly illustrates they don't, otherwise they would be offering considerably more on their own vehicles than other manufacturers.

Another thing to consider is that the Trade value according to the M&M guide that all dealers use is R 232 000.00, Retail being higher of course.

I have taken the matter up with Ford SA who have issued a case number, but say this matter may be dealt with in 2 months, putting this matter in 2019, which means the car will be a year older in M&M guide (Less Trade value), and the mileage will have increased. I personally think they are hoping that I will just trade it in and move on, and that will be that. Well im not going away.

Why should I have to suffer / take the loss, for a Ford manufacturing problem, that didn't even affect the year my car was manufactured?

I have spoken to many other Kuga owners who are also unhappy at trade in values.

Before any consideration of even the New Kuga, I think it wise to think about the perception people have of the car (Kuga), and see if a Ford dealer would even offer a guaranteed value , like other manufacturers, that obviously have confidence in their product.

And beware salesman will tell you there are no issues on trade in / resale, but will they still be there when you come to trade your car in?