***** and misrepresentation by Longtom Nissan Lydenburg
Our friend found an advert on the carfind.co.za website regarding a 2007 Mahindra Scorpio SUV available at Longtom Nissan Garage for R49 900 with an odometer reading of 150 000km. He was interested in the car and enquired via the carfind.co.za website and got an email response from Mr Stephen Lowe (Sales Manager at Longtom Nissan) regarding the vehicle. He was told that the vehicle was in a good condition and drivable with no problem. Working as a Field Guide in Hoedspruit, our friend could not view the vehicle neither go to Lydenburg to sign the requried purchase documents. Mr Stephen Lowe ensured our friend that it would not be a problem and that they would make a plan. Being a trusted business in SA, our friend paid R50 000 cash for the 2nd hand 2007 Mahindra Scorpio SUV to Lontom Nissan Lydenburg on 30 Oct 2018. His vehicle was delivered to him on 31 Oct 2018 however without any copies of the purchase documents. The car broke down the same day while driving his car to his dormitory. He contacted Mr Stephan Lowe and was told he purchased the vehicle voetstoots and that our friend was responsible for all repairs, etc after delivery of the vehicle. Our friend obtained a quote from Hoedspruit to the value of approximately R12 000 to replace the clutch of which Stephan Lowe said that they're only prepared to pay for the labour of the quote.
On requesting the purchase documents, he was provided with documents which he never signed and the purchase deal was altered to indictae that he apparently purchased a "s**** metal car" - thus not a road worhty car. The buyer's signature was not his signature and the dealership signed as the buyer as well. Several family and friends tried to contact the Pricipal Dealer, Mr Fred Zeaman, who denied that anything was wrong with the deal. Mr Zeaman informed us that our friend purchased the vehicle "voetstoots" and that he was responsible for all repairs required thereafter.
Our friend was clearly de*****ed by the sales person, Mr. Stephan Lowe, to believe that he was purchasing a second-hand car whereas in fact they sold me a “s**** metal car”, which we were informed meant a vehicle that was not road worthy. Our friend had never been to the dealership, nor had he viewed the purchase documents presented to him after the payment and delivery of the vehicle. His signatures were all forged on the documents and would he nevere had signed and/or concluded the deal if he knew that they were selling him a “s**** metal car”. The car’s odometer was also tampered with as it initially indicated to have 150 000 km on the clock but according to the delivery document now indicated an odometer reading of 72 900 km. He was never informed that they’re selling him a “s**** metal” car and would have never made the payment if he knew these facts. He was de*****ed of R50 000.00 of hard-earned cash money, savings that took him some time to collect, also selling his only other travelling means.