AUTO SEVEN - Maria Dulce Nunes Gomes ( Reg No : *** )

I am writing to warn others about my terrible experience with Auto Seven, a registered company (Reg No: ***), and the primary seller, Maria Dulce Nunes Gomes.

In April 2024, I purchased a vehicle from Maria, only to discover it was riddled with problems. When I first tried to reach out to her to complain, she was unresponsive. She either ignored my calls or gave excuses like being abroad, at the dentist, or sick. This dragged on for weeks while I struggled with transportation, constantly stressing about the faulty car.

Maria then introduced her "business partner," Robly Auto, as the person I should contact for assistance. However, even he was unreliable, never following through with his promises to call me back after contacting Maria. It became clear that I had bought the car from Maria, not this other man, yet he was acting as a middleman and complicating the issue.

Adding to the frustration, Maria conducts her sales from a questionable back office in a fish-and-chips shop, with no paperwork in order. She even had to ask nearby businesses to print the necessary documents for me. When I finally got in touch with her, she agreed to inspect the car but insisted I drive it in. This was impossible because the car wouldn't start or would stall on the road, making it unsafe to drive. As a single mother with a young child, this situation was both dangerous and stressful.

Despite all the communication and my clear explanation of the car's issues, Maria still placed the blame on me, saying, "I told you to bring the vehicle in."

I trusted her as a dealer, but I should never have been put in this situation. Maria knew the car was defective, and her lack of honesty is appalling. As per the Consumer Protection Act of South Africa, all defects and issues with the vehicle legally fall back on the primary seller.

This matter will be escalated legally, as I intend to hold Auto Seven accountable for the defects that were not disclosed in the sale agreement.

To anyone considering purchasing from Auto Seven or Maria Dulce Nunes Gomes, be cautious.

You may end up in the same frustrating and dangerous situation I have faced.