Paid R100,000 in 2024 — Range Rover still not returned over two years later

In August 2024 I gave my Range Rover to Wayne Meintjies at Recon Engines, Chamdor, for an engine recondition. I was quoted three to six weeks. I paid R100,000 in three payments between August and November 2024.

More than two years later, I still don't have my vehicle back. Over that time the explanations changed from "waiting for spares" to "parts missing" to "doing everything again". When I visited the workshop in April 2025, the vehicle was still stripped down, in the same state as months before. I was never given a quotation, invoice, job card or any written agreement.

I lodged a complaint with the Motor Industry Ombudsman (MIOSA, ref ***)). In March 2026 MIOSA found that Recon Engines "failed to repair the vehicle in a timely manner" and had contravened Section 54 of the Consumer Protection Act.

If you're considering this business, insist on a written quote, invoice and job card before paying anything, and never pay the full amount up front. I have kept the payment records, WhatsApp messages and photographs.