LDR Engines a ****

We purchased an engine for our Polo 1.9 TDi, they fitted it and were supposed to service the vehicle also. When we drove the car we picked up that 2 bolts were missing from the gear box, car also not serviced as they claimed. We had to buy a service kit from our pockets and get it done. We informed them of this with evidence of photos and all. No responsibility was taken, their engines are apparently 6 months warranty.

Fast forward, after the 6 months while my partner was driving the car, he had issues coming from the engine, it stopped. When he checked he realised on the right of the engine bolts came loose meaning they were not tightened from the time new engine was fitted. We called Lizaan who we were dealing with there, one of their employees. Car was towed from Joburg where it got stuck to their workshop that is run by Lizaan's husband Jaco. That was in November, we told them the issue, they didn't want to take the blame or say yes we are wrong we did not tighten the bolts. They demanded R2750 to strip the engine and do fault finding and another R2750 to put it back.

We refused saying if it's a return job from your fault why charge us. Also if you are saying it's not your fault, prove it. Before you strip the engine, you need to call us so that it is done when all parties are there so we can determine route cause. Dec came , they closed, January they opened. Still quiet, just keeping the car as they wanted the money to check the issue. February they made contact with me, saying they are charging for storage and we owe like R5800, I was like I am not aware of that.

That was the husband Jaco contacting me, he told me he could not get hold of my partner, I was like okay when you could not get hold of my partner why didn't you contact me since you have my numbers with your wife Lizaan, why only now when you claim that we owe storage fees of R5800. He could not answer that so he ended up scratching off the storage fees that he says are owed. So I asked him when can you work on this car so that I can make sure I am there with another mechanic for a second opinion, to determine if truly you guys never tightened the bolts on the engine or its our fault.

Jaco was like, I will take the engine out then call you to come have a look, I was like no, we want to be there when you do it so we can see who's at fault. So it's been like that for the past 2 weeks. I communicate almost daily asking when can it be done but now all of a sudden he's busy. I keep calling saying I want to take the car out of your hands as you mentioned it's taking up space, he was like you can tow it and take it somewhere else as I'm currently busy. Told him no, you told me it's occupying space so I gave a go ahead so we can start with it but now you respond like this . Time passed, last Fri I decided to go there with someone, Jaco was there. We asked for a quotation without touching the engine as they were able to do fault finding from just looking and concluded it's our fault. He was like I will need to speak with the boss and let you know before end of business day. I got no call from him. Next day we decided to go to LDR Engines to look for the manager as we need him to advise on this one. He was not around, that was today but he was called, one of the guys working there explained to him that there's customers with complaints about Jaco one of his mechanics, he apparently called Jaco, they spoke then called back the guy asked us to be connected on the phone. He asked what is the issue, we explained, shock and disappointment from his response as the manager. He was like when the car left his workshop it was fine, mind you this person did not work on the car. 2. Our car has been occupying space at his shop for 6-7 months, remember this car was towed there Nov, they closed Dec so it's 3 months. Already he's spitting nonsense from his mouth because he is protecting his workers. 3rdly the car had an issue with the steering from day 1, it needed to be balanced, the very same manager says the car left with the steering perfect but now the steering is not balanced, we laughed, we say to him to show that you are pathetic and not smart, if you knew the condition of the car from first day you would know that steering was an issue and your Lizaan even advised where we can take it to be fixed. Today you are lying protecting your workers. The sad part you are protecting them with lies that you are not sure about. What kind of a manager is that, I would have expected you to say okay let's get this sorted, please come on this day so we can strip the car and check the route cause, we take it from there. Not the level of unprofessionalism, he was even shouting at us.

His employee that called him was apologizing to us, he was so embarrassed by his boss conduct. He even said to us but the steering had an issue from day 1 we didn't fix it. I was like you see what I mean instead of you boss investigating he is fighting us.