Mercedes-Benz Johannesburg North (Bryanston) NIGHTMARE!

I'm sharing my ongoing nightmare with Mercedes-Benz Johannesburg North (Bryanston) to warn other consumers about their shocking service practices and complete disregard for consumer rights. The Timeline of My Mercedes Service Disaster:

In February 2025, I took my Mercedes-Benz A45 to Mercedes-Benz Johannesburg North (Bryanston) for routine servicing and brake replacement, paying over R20,000 out-of-pocket. Immediately after service, I noticed and reported squeaking brakes. Their response? "The new brakes need time to settle in." A classic dismissal tactic. Within ONE WEEK, the vehicle displayed coolant warning lights. Back to Mercedes, where they replaced the thermostat and coolant pipes over three days. The real nightmare began when I collected my car after the coolant repair. Within ONE KILOMETER of leaving their service center, my vehicle began belching heavy smoke with engine warning lights flashing. I immediately had it towed back to them. Mercedes-Benz then dropped the bomb: complete turbo failure requiring over R100,000 in repairs. They claimed my warranty would cover only R12,000.

Here's what makes this situation outrageous:

My vehicle had NO history of turbo or engine problems before their service work. The catastrophic failure occurred IMMEDIATELY after their coolant system work. There is a well-established technical relationship between cooling system function and turbocharger operation (any competent mechanic knows this). Mercedes-Benz has now held my vehicle for 24 days without authorization and no repairments being done. I submitted formal written complaints to Mercedes-Benz headquarters on 05 May 2025 and again on 9 working days after formal complaint - ZERO RESPONSE regarding way forward. Mercedes-Benz refuses to provide a comparable courtesy vehicle while they hold mine hostage.

What Mercedes-Benz expects me to do: Pay over R100,000 for repairs resulting from THEIR service failures. This is after already paying R20,000+ for the service that started this cascade of failures. What I've done to resolve this:

Submitted detailed formal complaints (ignored) Sent final notice before legal action (ignored) Filed complaint with Motor Industry Ombudsman of South Africa

I've been a loyal Mercedes-Benz customer for years, but this experience reveals how they truly view their customers once serious service issues arise. My advice to potential Mercedes-Benz customers: Reconsider your purchase. When service issues arise, you're on your own despite the premium price tag and luxury brand promises. Their "customer service" exists only when you're buying, not when you need support. To Mercedes-Benz South Africa management: This public complaint can still be resolved. Accept responsibility for your service center's obvious failures, complete the necessary repairs at no cost, and provide appropriate compensation for the weeks without my vehicle and the stress caused by your non-response. I welcome Mercedes-Benz to contact me directly to resolve this matter, but based on their track record of ignoring formal complaints, I'm not holding my breath. If you've experienced similar issues with Mercedes-Benz service centers, please share your experience. Perhaps collective action is the only language they understand.