BRAND-NEW MAHINDRA XUV700 – FOUR BREAKDOWNS IN FIVE MONTHS AND STILL NO RESOLUTION!

tle: BRAND-NEW MAHINDRA XUV700 – FOUR BREAKDOWNS IN FIVE MONTHS AND STILL NO RESOLUTION!

I am extremely disappointed and frustrated with the treatment I have received from Mahindra South Africa and its dealership regarding my 2026 Mahindra XUV700 Black Edition.

I purchased this vehicle brand-new on 19 May 2026, expecting reliability, safety and peace of mind for myself and my family. Instead, what should have been an exciting purchase has turned into an absolute nightmare.

Within just three months of ownership, my vehicle started experiencing serious mechanical problems, including engine shaking, loss of power, engine warning lights, repeated spark plug failures and excessive white smoke from the exhaust.

Timeline of events:

* 23 July 2026: Vehicle taken for its first service. * 18 August 2026: Vehicle broke down and was towed to the Mahindra Alberton dealership. * 4 September 2026: The same mechanical problem occurred again, disrupting our planned family holiday. I had to rent another vehicle at my own expense. * 26 September 2026: The vehicle experienced the same problem yet again. * 8 October 2026: I returned the vehicle to the dealership following continued mechanical problems, clearly stating that I no longer wanted further repairs and was requesting a replacement or refund.

Despite multiple repair attempts, the problem has continued.

I was previously made to pay approximately R900 for spark plug replacements, which I was told were not covered by the warranty, even though the vehicle was practically new.

Most recently, I was informed that the dealership had removed the engine cylinder head to investigate oil entering areas where it should not be. I have now been told that the vehicle may potentially require an engine replacement.

HOW DOES A BRAND-NEW VEHICLE REQUIRE SUCH MAJOR ENGINE WORK WITHIN FIVE MONTHS OF PURCHASE?

What makes this situation even more upsetting is that Mahindra continues to focus on repairing the vehicle while disregarding my repeated requests for a replacement or refund.

Under Section 56 of the South African Consumer Protection Act, consumers have rights regarding defective goods within six months of delivery, including the right to choose an appropriate statutory remedy where the requirements of the Act are met.

I have lost confidence in this vehicle. My family's safety, our finances and our daily lives have been affected by these repeated breakdowns.

I have continued paying for a vehicle that has repeatedly failed to provide the reliability reasonably expected from a brand-new car.

My request to Mahindra South Africa is simple:

I do not want another temporary repair. I am requesting a replacement vehicle of acceptable quality or a full refund, in accordance with my consumer rights.

I am calling on Mahindra South Africa to take responsibility, address this complaint at senior management level and provide a fair, written resolution.

I am sharing this experience publicly because no consumer should have to fight this hard for accountability after purchasing a brand-new vehicle.

Mahindra South Africa, how many times must a brand-new vehicle break down before you acknowledge that there is a serious problem?