Mahindra S4 4x4 a no go

Why you should not buy a Mahnidra scropio.

Background: Bought the vehicle (S4 4x4) as a workhorse to commute between Gauteng and the Free State on a weekly basis. Typical round trim is about ****m of which 150km is proper Free State gravel road, 10 to 15Km of proper 4x4 route. The vehicle also carries each week a load of between 800 and ****g for the 150km. The vehicle was bought new. (Dec 2022, registered Jan 2023) Current status: • 85 000km on the clock • On the 3rd set of front wheel bearings o At 35k the wheels was lose, Mahindra Centurion tighten them. o 72K humming sound (Mahindra said out of warranty) replaced by Car Care Clinic (they did indicate this is a trail set) free of charge o 81K bearings shot, replaced by Car Care Clinic. So far so good. • 85 000km left safety belt came off, the whole mechanism (roller and all) came loose from the body, had to install again myself • 69 000km left rear shock disintegrated. I complain about this rear jumping since 40 000km with Mahindra , they inspected and said “nothing wrong” I turned out that the shock top strut was lodged in between the load body and the mounting bracket. o Try and find rear shocks for a Mahindra s4 4x4…..good luck • Left rear leave spring has gone flat. Could be because the shock was done for almost 20 000 KM? • 3rd set of shackle bush on the rear leave springs o The last set the dealership (Centurion) failed to install the bush by forgetting to properly tighten the bolt. I saw this while loading and had to stop at a tire repair center in Kroonstad to jack the vehicle up and tighten the bolt (could remove the bolt by hand). The dealership (Centurion) gave me a new set of tires and rims for my effort after I made some noise • 45000km The electrical harness below the passenger seat under the chassis rubbed through the diesel fuel line. Fuel line and harness replaced by Centurion under warranty. Still cleaning a tank of diesel from my driveway. • Wheel alignment is a constant problem. Go through a ditch underload and you can hear something slip then the steering wheel sists a 10 to 15 degrees out. Go through a ditch again under load and you slightly turn right you can hear something slips and , behold steering is straight. Complained to Centurion. And “can not find any fault” • Tail gate forever falls open of fail to close properly • Left front light normal beam can not adjust. • Back breaks freeze solid at cold temperatures if there is a bit of moisture on the road and the vehicle was outside for the night sub -9 deg C. • Rear diff lock wants to engage if you travel long distances on tar and you do your first turn at a robot. Best to stop and reverse a meter then you ok.

I have sent numerous emails to Mahindra SA, the feedback is the vehicle is out of warranty. My problem. Yes the vehicle works hard, but it was bought as a workhorse and sold to me with the slogan “Engineered for adventure”…..