Hyundai Pietermaritzburg – Very Disappointing Experience With a Used 2019 Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Pietermaritzburg – Very Disappointing Experience With a Used 2019 Hyundai Tucson

I purchased a 2019 Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Executive Automatic from Hyundai Pietermaritzburg on 28 November 2025, with approximately 155,000 km on the vehicle.

Within the first week of ownership, I raised concerns about the vehicle's excessive fuel consumption. I subsequently returned the vehicle to the dealership on multiple occasions with various concerns and gave the dealership opportunities to investigate and resolve the problems.

During the early stages, I was informed that certain issues had been attended to, including the brakes, spare key and wheel alignment. However, my concern regarding the fuel consumption had not been properly investigated at that stage.

The situation later became significantly more concerning when I experienced a fuel leak and fuel fumes entering the cabin of the vehicle.

This was particularly concerning to me because my pregnant wife was also driving and travelling in the vehicle. Having fuel fumes entering the cabin of a vehicle used by my family became a serious safety concern for me.

The dealership eventually advised that the fuel smell was caused by a perished rubber seal around the fuel filler pipe and replaced the seal.

From the beginning of my attempts to resolve the matter, I made it clear that I wanted either a replacement vehicle or a refund. At that stage, the dealership refused both options.

After I raised my rights under the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) and explained why I believed I was entitled to a remedy, the dealership subsequently offered me a replacement vehicle.

By that point, however, I had lost confidence in the way the matter had been handled. Given that both a replacement and refund had initially been refused, and that the replacement was only offered after I raised my CPA rights, I no longer felt comfortable accepting another vehicle from the dealership.

For me, this was no longer simply about replacing a worn component. It was about the overall experience, the repeated concerns I had raised shortly after purchasing the vehicle, the fuel leak and fumes, and my confidence in the dealership's handling of the matter.

I therefore maintained my request for a refund.

The dealership has declined my request for a refund, maintaining that the relevant component was a wear-and-tear item and that the vehicle's fuel consumption is within the manufacturer's specifications.

I purchased this vehicle in good faith from an official Hyundai dealership and expected reliable and safe transportation for myself and my family. Instead, I found myself dealing with significant concerns shortly after purchase and repeatedly having to raise issues with the dealership.

What has been particularly disappointing is that I have lost confidence not only in the vehicle, but also in the way the matter has been handled.

I am sharing my experience so that other consumers can make an informed decision when purchasing a used vehicle and so that Hyundai/Motus can hopefully review how this matter has been handled.

I remain open to a fair resolution, but after everything that has happened, my requested resolution remains a refund of the vehicle purchase price.