Hyundai South Africa – Absolutely Appalling After-Sales Service and Complete Lack of Accountability

Hyundai South Africa – Absolutely Appalling After-Sales Service and Complete Lack of Accountability

Extremely disappointed, frustrated and disgusted by the level of service received from Hyundai Bellville and the complete lack of accountability from Hyundai management.

We purchased a vehicle from Hyundai Bellville, taking delivery on 2 September 2026. What should have been a straightforward and exciting purchase has turned into an ongoing nightmare of broken promises, poor communication, incompetence and an astonishing lack of customer care.

It is now 22 October, more than seven weeks after taking delivery, and we are STILL waiting for our vehicle's registration and licence plates to be finalised.

During this time, our temporary plates expired, leaving us in an unacceptable position with a vehicle that we have paid for but cannot confidently and legally use without concerns regarding traffic enforcement and insurance implications. We have already received a traffic fine as a direct consequence of this unresolved situation.

What makes this experience particularly infuriating is not simply the failure to complete the registration process, but the complete absence of proactive communication, accountability and urgency from Hyundai.

We have been passed from pillar to post, repeatedly having to follow up, chase answers and request updates on something that should have been handled efficiently by the dealership without our constant intervention.

Even escalating the matter to the Dealer Principal has achieved absolutely nothing.

On Saturday, 3 October, I personally spoke to the Dealer Principal, who assured me that the outstanding licence plates would be processed and sorted out by Monday, 5 October.

Unsurprisingly, that commitment was not honoured.

On 7 October, I sent a follow-up WhatsApp message directly to his personal number. That message has remained unread and unanswered. As of 22 October, we have received absolutely no further feedback from him.

If this is the standard of accountability demonstrated by the Dealer Principal himself, what level of service can customers possibly expect from the rest of the dealership?

We have also been given assurances regarding replacement temporary plates, yet have continued to find ourselves chasing information rather than receiving meaningful solutions.

It is remarkable how attentive and accommodating dealerships can be when securing a sale, yet how quickly that enthusiasm disappears once the vehicle has been delivered and payment received.

The after-sales experience has been the complete opposite of the sales process. There has been no ownership of the problem, no consistent communication, no urgency and seemingly no appreciation of the inconvenience, frustration and potential financial consequences this situation has caused.

Why should a customer have to spend weeks chasing Hyundai to fulfil a basic obligation associated with selling and delivering a vehicle?

We are not asking for special treatment. We are asking Hyundai to deliver the service and professionalism that any customer should reasonably expect when purchasing a vehicle from an established motor dealership.

This experience has completely undermined our confidence in Hyundai Bellville and raises serious concerns about Hyundai South Africa's standards of customer service and oversight.

We now expect Hyundai South Africa's Head Office to intervene directly, take responsibility and ensure that:

Our vehicle registration and licence plates are finalised without further delay.

We receive a clear explanation for the extraordinary delay and repeated failures.

Hyundai addresses the traffic fine incurred as a result of the registration issue.

The lack of communication and accountability from the dealership's management is formally investigated.

Seven weeks of excuses, unanswered messages, unfulfilled promises and having to chase a dealership to do its job is utterly unacceptable.

Hyundai, selling a vehicle is only the beginning of your responsibility to your customer. Your after-sales service is what ultimately defines your reputation.

Based on our experience, Hyundai Bellville has failed dismally.

I would strongly caution prospective customers to consider the after-sales support they can realistically expect before purchasing a vehicle from this dealership.