MAHINDRA SUV300, W8 - THE CAR GETS STUCK NOW AND THEN, the dealership is reluctant to assist.

MAHINDRA – COMPLAIN My name is Kefilwe V. Mokwena (Ms) an adult age 47 years, Im residing in Mahikeng and farming in the boarder of Ramotshere Moiloa and Kgetleng LM. Currently employed by the NWPG in the Department of Health. In December 2022 we bought a Mahindra SUV 300, W8 at (Kia Motors Mahindra Mafikeng dealership) brand new. Within the first three to four months we started encountering some problems with our vehicle. It gets stuck.

We were on the farm, when we got stuck for the first time, and we had to ask for a passers-by to come and jumpstart us. As we got back to Mafikeng I went straight to Mahindra to report what had transpired. I spoke to the guy by the name Norman at Mahindra service. I don’t know whether he opened a job card or not but what he did is he just looked at the battery, checked it and declared it fine. I took the car and went back home. It started fine without any problem for quite some time. It went on and on just like that.

One day as we were preparing to go to work, I started the ignition and it did not want to come up. There we go, we were stuck again. I asked some people to help me push the car. After it has started, I drove straight again to Mahindra, spoke to Norman again about the morning incident. It is then when he suggested that I leave the car with them over a night so that they check what could be the problem. Then I said to him that I am unable to can leave the car since it is our only means of transport and we are using it to take our Kids to school. I then said to him that not unless the company gives us a courtesy car. He said to me that they don’t have courtesy cars. This is how I ended up not giving him a car. It went on like that, getting stuck and being jumpstarted. At this stage, no body from Mahindra never said anything to me about the battery warrantee.

On Monday 02 September 2024 the car got stuck again as we were about to take the kids to school. Again I asked for assistance to jumpstart. My husband took the car to Mahindra same day after dropping me at work. He spoke to Tlamelo about the incident, and it is only on that day that she told my husband about the battery warrantee. She advised we take a car to battery Centre for testing. We went there, it got tested and the guy who helped us told us that one of the battery cells is dead. I went back to Mahindra the following day, which is Tuesday 03 September 2024. When I got there I personally demanded to speak to the Manager. He (Dirk the manager) also raised an issue of battery warrantee. I disputed his story, by highlighting the fact that the car has been problematic to us ever since we got it and each time it gives a problem I made it a point that I report the matter to them and they never raised a battery warrantee issue. According to me these guys were buying time for the battery warrantee to lapse for the motive known to them only. Even if it can be an issue, I am failing to understand it since I bought a car from them brand new. How does a new car have a battery issue within 12 months of purchase? He then gave me the number for Mahindra SA. There I spoke to a gentleman called Mr Nkosi at their customer complaint Division. He referred me back to Mahindra Mafikeng so that they log a Tekline for me.

Effect • My husband's health is affected. He is not sleeping properly as he has to wake up every two hours to check whether the car is starting. • I am not enjoying the benefits of a new car and its features as i am making sure that everything is off even a radio. • I am stressed and frustrated, emotionally and otherwise. • My Kids are also frustrated as they are always late at school because, now and then we must ask and wait for assistance. • Now and then I must call work to make an apology for late coming. • IT IS INCONVENIENCING ME A LOT. KINDLY ASSIST ME.