Avoid.

Ngiri Autos. Avoid. I purchased a 2015 Landcruiser 79, with low mileage, from Ngiri in late March 2025. I was offered a fair trade in for my good condition Landcruiser 76. I paid well above market value for the 79 because of the low mileage and an extensive list of extras. I asked all the usual questions. Service history, no accidents, who owned the vehicle before, etc. I was assured of no accident history, complete service history and was told that the vehicle was owned by an old couple who used it for annual trips. Definitely no abuse.

I had the car for two weeks when a rear side shaft snapped while driving in 2 high on a tar road. I was unable to engage 4high or 4low when I tried to move the vehicle off the road. I had not checked the 4wheel drive system yet…after paying nearly R1 million for a car, I really didn’t expect to have to check fundamental things. My previous Landcruiser was always absolutely seamless in all of its operations. And so started a nightmare 6months. The vehicle went to Toyota on the 12th of April 2025. I got it back on the 16th of May 2025 due to delays by both Toyota and Ngiri. Ngiri paid for a new clutch and replaced the side shaft. Note - I was not given a vehicle as a replacement for this period. When I collected the vehicle, it still wouldn’t engage four wheel drive without considerable force.

The vehicle was then sent to an Ngiri preferred mechanic (amazing man), who noted that the transfer case had been replaced and installed incorrectly. The vehicle also had signs of damage on the under carriage. Abuse. The dealer agreed to pay for a new transfer case. I was without a car from the 24th of June 2025 until the end of August 2025. When I went to fetch the vehicle, the mechanic pointed out that the diff was bent. Ngiri refused to pay for this repair suggesting that it had occurred when the side shaft snapped and it was therefore not their problem. Whether it was an existing issue (when I bought the car) or a consequential issue, is absolutely irrelevant.

My conclusion is that Ngiri brought the car in without properly inspecting it (as car professionals). I bought the car, sight unseen as I am based in Cape Town, and saw it for the first time on delivery. I trusted their expertise in buying and selling good quality second hand vehicles.

As Important as the issues listed above, is how I received my nearly R1 million car:

• Cruiser delivered with no spare remote

• Delivered with no Service Book or Manual

• Faulty tow bar plug

• Broken wind screen wiper water reservoir motor

• I was promised that Cruiser had never been in an accident, but the bonnet and left front door had been resprayed and there was damage on the left side of the engine bay as well as the undercarriage

• Sound system failed a week after getting the vehicle. I paid for the repair

Ngiri’s solution to their mess was to offer me R 120 000 less than I paid (bearing in mind I didn’t have the car for the majority of the time I owned it), and sell me a vehicle on their floor at full asking price. This deal was only valid if I purchased another vehicle from the. All in all, an absolutely unsatisfactory mess and significant financial loss for me , through no fault of my own. I am not in the habit of writing negative reviews, I much prefer writing positive ones, but it’s my duty to warn other people.

I must also point out that about three weeks ago I emailed both owners and the salesman who sold me the car, requesting some financial reimbur*****t for my losses. Not one of them bothered to reply to my email.

I do not think they are bad people, but they messed up and I have paid for THEIR mistake.