"Caveat emptor" when dealing with Sandton Auto

I was looking for a Fortuner to replace our trusty family 4x4 that was written off. In February 2023, Sandton Auto advertised a 2013 Fortuner 4x4 Auto that piqued my interest after much research. It was priced correctly (so as not to be too good to be true), and amongst the other flashy high end stock appeared to be on the lower end of the dealership offerings. We went to see the vehicle and I inspected it thoroughly outside , inside and underneath. The car had not been cleaned below, which I prefer for inspection as one can spot any obvious tell tale signs of leaks and damage. The car was started by the salesman and it ran like a D4D should. We discussed the contract details and I asked for a full Dekra technical report for peace of mind. Over the course of the next days promises were made, the salesman had multiple crises that were all accomodated.

But then, promises were broken. Calls were not taken. So we went to view the vehicle a second time and also determine if the lift was really broken (obstensibly preventing the vehicle from being taken to DEKRA). The salesman promised all was on track and that the details would be finalised over e-mail. I have copied my initiated mail below:

Good day, ***. As discussed earlier today. Regarding purchase of 2013 Toyota Fortuner 3.0D-4D 4x4 auto for R 309 950, I am supplying the following information. Final transaction signature is subject to the DEKRA report being received and in line with normal wear and tear (no structural damage to underpinnings and suspension, and a clean bill of health on ECU stored faults.) Purchaser: ****** (SA ID ************x) Owner to be registered: ******xx (SA ID ************x) Banking: An EFT from Nedbank will be made after the DEKRA report and the Proforma invoice has been received. Proof of payment will be forwarded. The transaction price will now include my cost of the DEKRA Report for R309 950 000.00 plus the R4000 admin, roadworthy, registration and other “on-road fees”(excluding the cost of NW number plates for the purchaser’s account. Registered residential address of purchaser/ owner: ************, , NW 0279 (Street and Postal). Regards L Jackson 082 *** ***x

After further broken promises, unanswered calls and WhatsApps, we resorted to phoning the dealership number from my wife's phone. This was when we were told that the vehicle had been sold to a person from a neighbouring country who made a cash purchase, (over a weekend nogal) and that in line with their "no reserve" policy, they had let it go without contacting us (I must have dreamt that we had assured them we had the cash ready). So, all is well when things smell fishy and the deal falls through!