Haval SA - Rust inspection policy

I would like to express my sheer and utter disappointment with Haval SA in their handling of the rust issues on my vehicle.

I purchased my brand new Haval H6 on the 3rd July 2021 from the Haval dealership in Umhlanga Durban. The vehicle has been booked in for its regular services timeously. In December 2023 I noticed a rust spot on the left hand side above the front windshield. I subsequently took the vehicle in to the dealership in January 2024 for the salesman to view the affected area. The salesman advised that the car will need to be assessed, at which I advised that it can be done during the next service. No mention of any rust inspection made. The vehicle was then booked in for the 3rd service on the 3rd of July 2024 where I informed the service consultant to have a look at the rust and advise as to the process of having the affected area attended to. It is then, to my surprise, that the service consultant informed me that I am supposed to instruct the dealership to perform half yearly rust inspections on the vehicle and that lack thereof may prejudice the rust claim. The service consultant then advised that he will perform a rust inspection and will initiate the process which may take a while to resolve. Months had gone by and I haven’t heard from the service consultant. I then noticed that the bracket on the right arm which holds up the boot door has also began to rust (second rust spot).

I then took the vehicle to the dealership on the 5 October 2024 to have the salesman look at the second rust spot and to enquire with the service consultant as to the way forward in having these issues resolved.

A few days later i received a call from the service consultant who advised that Haval SA will not be attending to the rust claim as i didn't instruct the dealership to perform a rust inspection on the vehicle during the previous 2 services. He then suggested i call the Haval SA customer care myself and put my case forward. I subsequently called the customer care number and was told, by the agent, to put the complaint on mail.

Today, the 5th November 2024, i received a call from the agent at Haval SA who advised that Haval SA will not be resolving the rust issues on the vehicle as i didn't present the vehicle for rust inspection during the service. I assumed me taking the vehicle to the dealership would have been enough for the serviceman to perform a rust inspection during the service. The agent then asked whether i had the warranty booklet with me, which i did, so she could refer me to the page where it states that it is on the onus of the customer to instruct the dealership to perform a rust inspection. She failed to do so, apparently i have the old version of the warranty booklet. I guess common sense doesn't prevail for Haval. I find this utterly and grossly unfair as i was not made aware of the rust inspection policy by either the salesman, the dealer principle nor the service consultant prior to the 3rd service.

I find it difficult for me to instruct the dealership to conduct a rust inspection if I have not been made aware of same. I assumed that this should have been done during the regular service intervals which the vehicle had undergone. Going forward do i need to instruct Haval dealership to perform the mandatory service? Or perhaps i need to go to the service section and show the serviceman what needs to be done?

Also, I don’t have any document bearing my signature to suggest that this was communicated to me in any way.

The way Haval SA has handled this situation is appalling and suggests a blatant lack of customer care and fleeting of responsibilities.