Dishonest

We submitted an application on 15 June 2023. The finance was approved and the dealership committed to deliver the vehicle on 20 June 2023 as the they stated that the vehicle must go for a roadworthy test (weekend of the 17th).

On Tuesday, 20 June 2023, sales executive Eugene (from Midcity Motors) delivered the vehicle in Newcastle at approximately 15h00 Upon delivery Eugene pointed out that the there was an error with the back rear light (as per onboard system) and that I can repair it and will be refunded by them. On Monday, 03 July 2023, on my way to work, the engine management light came on and the vehicle suddenly stopped – everything switched off. I contacted Midcity’s Sale executive, Eugene (@08h16) and explained what happened. He advised to take the vehicle to a RMI mechanic and not to Opel as they are too expensive. Shortly after I spoke to Eugene, I noticed smoke coming out of the engine. I then contacted a local registered RMI mechanic (Hugo Booysen Auto & Mechanical Maintenance) and the vehicle had to be towed in. At first we couldn’t tow the vehicle as it was missing a towing device which *****s in front of the vehicle. The mechanic had to borrow a towing device from a similar vehicle which was standing at his workshop. a Local RMI mechanic service called me back and informed me that coil pack burned out. On 03 July 2023 @ 16h59 I contacted the Sales Executive from Midcity Motors (Eugene) to query the vehicle’s service plan as the RMI Mechanic wanted to know the vehicle’s service history as they were busy liaising with the warranty Insurance Company to lodge a claim for the ignition coil pack. Eugene stated that the vehicle was serviced before delivery and that the service book should indicate the latter service. I explained to Eugene that no such service reflects in the service book. Take note that the odometer at this stage, dated 04 July 2023 was standing on 205752km. Eugene was adamant that the vehicle was serviced and said that he had slips to proof the recent service. He then refused to discuss anything further with me and directed me to his Dealer Principle (Christo) claiming that he can stand as witness that the vehicle was indeed serviced. He kept on stating that he was in possession of a “slip” that the vehicle was serviced. According to the service book, the vehicle did not undergo a service for approximately 30, 000km, meaning that it missed two services (note that the required services, according to the vehicle specifications, should be every 15, 000km). On 04 July 2023, the Dealer Principle agreed that the car will be serviced. On 06 July 2023 the local RMI mechanic submitted a quotation to service the vehicle (please note that the quotation specifically indicates Excluding hidden Damages . At this stage, the Mechanic was still waiting for a coil pack to arrive from their service providers as they (the service provider) have accidently delivered a wrong coil pack. The coil pack arrived and was fitted on Friday, 14 July 2023. At this stage the service was not complete as the vehicle still had to be fully tested ON THE ROAD WITH NEW COILPACK,WIRES FROM THE COILPACK AS FRAGMENTION TOOK PLACE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. On Friday, 14 July 2023, I was then informed upon final road test, that the vehicle requires new front wheel bearings and a thermostat as the temp gauge including the outside temp meter was also faulty. On Friday, 14 July 2023 @ 08h39, I decided to contact Midcity Motors again and spoke to Christo. Firstly, I asked him if the vehicle in question (Opel Astra 1.6) went through a roadworthy test and he stated YES. I asked him for proof and he submitted a road worthy test to me which showed that the vehicle FAILED the test (the failed test results was obtained from N12 Testing Station – Klerksdorp). This also proved that the vehicle did not go for a test on the weekend of the 17th as initially stated by the Dealership. The road worthy test that was obtained from the roadworthy test station showed that the vehicle was tested and it failed on 08 June 2023. On Friday, 14 July 2023, I indicated that I wanted to return the vehicle due to ongoing faults (as previously stated, e.g the weal bearings etc). Christo stated that he will not accept the vehicle and I am not allowed to return it as the vehicle went for service which he paid for - Again this proved that the vehicle di dnot went for a service as stated by the salesman. I explained to Christo that the service was not complete as the mechanic was waiting for the correct coil pack, thus explain why the mechanic only picked up new faults upon final road test after the service. Furthermore, Christo stated that he knows the CPA act and that I must now take it up with the ombudsman as he fully complies with the said act. I also explained to him that I have spoken to a certain Mr. *** from GENRIC Insurance Company and the wheel bearings & temp caged are not covered in the warranty that was bought with the vehicle. Christo told me that he do not understand why I have contacted the insurance company as that was his job. Shortly after our telephonic discussion, the Local RMI mechanic services contacted me and stated that Christo contacted them and he is willing to pay for the additional faults/ damages that was found during the final road test after the service. Furthermore, Christo sent me a voice note (@11h14 – 14 July 2023) and confirmed that he gave the go-ahead to fix the new damages and that he will sort the damages out with relevant insurance/ warranty company – I still have the voice note on my cell) – I do not know which insurance he refers to as I have not received any communication from the warranty/ insurance company (GENRIC Insurance Company). I made another booking with the mechanic and took the vehicle back on Friday, 21 July 2023. On 21 July 2021 @ 09h28 I contacted Christo and questioned the “roadworthy test results” that he has sent me on 14 July 2023. Christo asked me what more do I want as he has sent me the test results as requested. I explained to him that the test results showed FAILED and he said he is confused as he sent me exactly what I wanted. I also contacted N12 Testing Station based in North West and they also confirmed that the vehicle failed the test and that Dealerships are well aware that faults have to be fixed based on the test results. Synopsis • MidCity Motors delivered the vehicle without a temporary motor vehicle permit which should be valid for 21 days. As far as my knowledge goes, this is issued / used for a motor vehicles that is registered, licensed and roadworthy. Upon delivery, Sales person Eugene stated that the vehicle’s disc is still valid until August 2023 and that I should not worry. We were in the process to obtain a disc from Q-no-more situated in the vaal and they stated the vehicle’s roadworthy test is still outstanding. At that stage we have passed the legal required 21 days because of a roadworthy test • Midcity Motors was adamant that the vehicle was serviced however it was not as o The service book was not stamped o According to the service that was done by a local RMI mechanic , it is evident that the vehicle was not serviced. The first thing they have changed was the wiperblades. We have also requested a service job card from MIdcity however with fail. o The vehicle failed the roadworthy test (e.g. one of the components that was changed was the wiper blades) o N12 Testing Station – Klerksdorp confirmed that the vehicle failed the roadworthy test. On 21 July 2023 I contacted Christo and asked to be directed to the nearest roadworthy station to obtain a roadworthy test and he stated that the vehicle was now serviced and that he did sent me the test results and THAT IT IS VALID FOR 60 days (failed tests results) and that he will go through my file (this was stated this morning – 21/07/2023). It seems that Christo (the DP of Midcity Motors) is comfortable with the failed roadworthy test as he stated, he sent me what I wanted (that is the failed roadworthy test) Also NOTE that the first instalment of the vehicle was on 01st August 2023 which ****Also note that since the vehicle failed its roadworthy test (08 June 2023) including the distance of the delivery (Klerksdorp to Newcastle), only 953 km was added to the odometer (the delivery was 419km) – Which means that I have only driven 534km of which the vehicle was standing 10 working days in a workshop. We contacted the bank Bank who approved the finance to intervene and assist as soon as possible as the integrity of the dealership was definitely in question. The ongoing faults and being without a vehicle for more than 10 working days (excluding weekend days) caused major stress and discomfort and in this current financial climate this is unacceptable. Also note that we have also paid the first comprehensive vehicle cover instalment last month for a vehicle that was mostly not in our possession however in the workshop. The bank intervened and the Dealership rep****, stating that we (I the regular driver) are making false acquisitions and I quote " Mnr ***** (I, the regular driver as per the insurance contract) het n klomp bewerings namens **** (new Owner) gemaak, ek hanteer punt vir punt.( EK LAAIK NIE DAAI NIE) Aangeheg die volgende: 1. "***RMI Mechanic) Auto gedateer 06/07/2023 , diens wat ons laat doen het R3,444.80. 2. F**** Auto gedateer 21/07/2023, wat ons motor laat herstel het nadat “engine management light” aangegaan het – R7,485.20 3. Op 25/7/2023 het ons verdere R3,341.76 betaal ten opsigte van “waterhose” wat gelek het. Kliënt se voertuig is dus voldoende herstel. Op 5 Julie 2023 is die afskrif van die natis in die kliënt se naam aan haar gestuur, om lisensie te kan uitneem en nommerplate te laat maak, waar ons ook aan kliënt bevestig om kostes aan ons terug te stuur dat ons haar kan refund. Heg bewys van email aan. Voertuig was gestuur vir padwaardigheid, waar daar ‘n fout uitgewys was naamlik ‘n olielek, heg bewys aan. Daar was ongelukkig nagelaat om voertuig te vat vir re-test nadat fout herstel was. (As per a whatsapp message from the DP he stated that he did sent me the roadworthy results - It was the results that I have queried....It failed) Graag versoek ek dat kliënt asb voertuig neem vir padwaardigheid by naaste toetsstasie en kostes daaraan verbonde aan my te stuur dat ek hom kan refund"

Also refer to the DEKRA webpage... "If you are in the process of purchasing a vehicle, a legal Roadworthy Certificate is required before the vehicle will be registered on your name. Usually the dealership selling you the car will take care of this on your behalf, but if it is a private deal you will have to make the arrangements yourself"....and the government's Transport Webpage, "About a roadworthy certificate You must have your motor vehicle tested for roadworthiness before you register it in your name".

According to DP's reply to the Bank, the vehicle was sent for a roadworthy test and found an oil leak which was repaired however the test results also pointed out other faults which was not fixed. The RMI mechanic that worked on the vehicle can also confirm that the vehicle continued to leak oil (photos available to prove) and that new wiper blades was needed. He also reply to the bank that they unfortunately neglected to sent the vehicle for a retest.

Well, I managed to make a booking for a retest and that after his claim that he fixed "the oil leak" but neglected to go back for a retest. I just think that a professional dealership will not fail to send a vehicle for a test/ retest as this should be primary and a regular task that form part of a sale. Its proven that Dealerships only want to make a sale and care less about the aftersales service.

I have numerous whatsapp messages, 2x recorded phone calls and 1 x document to prove my statement.