My First Car Experience with Raceview Motors - A Painful Lesson

Being a first-time buyer can definitely become stressful after a while. I bought my first car in 2021, and what happened afterward was truly shocking. I'm still not sure if it was because I was identified as a first-time buyer or if it was just bad luck. I app**** online for vehicle finance, and everything went smoothly at first. I was thrilled to hear that I had been approved for a 2017 Ford Figo. I was so excited because I believed Raceview Motors was a reputable dealership that makes things happen. I went to collect the car and was assisted by a salesman named Isaac Mgidi, who was very helpful during the process. All my questions were answered, and I left with the car feeling confident. However, things quickly took a turn for the worse. After driving the car for about 4 to 6 months, I decided I wanted to trade it in for something different. I went to Toyota Delmas, where they assessed the vehicle and informed me that the car had been in an accident and had sustained damage. I couldn’t believe it the car looked so clean and well-maintained. Still in disbelief, I went to VW Hatfield Pretoria, and they confirmed the same thing. I then took the vehicle to Ford Hatfield, where I usually serviced the car, and they told me the exact same story. That’s when I realized I needed to take this seriously. I paid for a full inspection at Dekra, and the report confirmed that the car had significant accident damage that had not been properly repaired. That news was painful. I remember sending an email to Raceview Motors, but I never got a response maybe they ignored me, I don’t know. I also reached out directly to Nedbank MFC, the finance provider, and they promised to follow up with the dealership and get back to me. But even then, I struggled to find the right department to raise my concerns. In the end, I had no choice but to surrender the car and terminate the finance agreement. The vehicle was taken back and sold. Sadly, I couldn’t continue with the car anymore, and today I am left in debt all because I unknowingly bought a car that had serious accident damage and wasn't properly fixed. I can't even afford to buy another car now. All I ever wanted was for Raceview Motors to be honest and transparent, and if they had just repaired the vehicle properly, I would have kept it because I truly loved that car and never wanted to trade it in. To Raceview Motors: Please teach your team the value of honesty and integrity. Build a company that customers can trust. Transparency is everything. Some buyers like me will still buy a car, even if it has a history, as long as we’re told the truth and the vehicle is properly repaired. I hope my review helps others and encourages your company to do better in the future.