1 reviews | Active since Dec 2017
Strijdom Park Volkswagen / Unitrans / VW SA - New vehicle with a defect.
<p>1 During March 2017 I purchased a VW Polo 1.2 TSi DSG from Strijdom Park VW. I took delivery of the car on 17 March 2017. I experienced tremendous “difficulties” in the sense of scratches/chips that I did not pick up on the day of delivery but only when I got home and the light was different. 2 Although I purchased a new vehicle from the dealership, it has been plagued with difficulties. In particular, within a week of taking delivery of the vehicle I had to take it back to have a number of scratches repaired. Subsequent to that, further scratches were identified and it is clear that the vehicle was not properly inspected or repaired adequately. Despite this, I was prepared to accept this and continue to use the vehicle. 3 A second weekend after I took delivery I travelled to Nelspruit when I noticed that the vehicle not only had wind noise but that wind actually entered the vehicle to the extent that we had to put tissue paper in the window. All of this was communicated to Strijdom Park VW and whilst I appreciate the efforts that VW Strydom Park has gone to attempt to resolve the various issues with my vehicle, the consistent issues that have arisen since the purchase of the vehicle have caused me extreme disappointment and frustration. 4 I have engaged with Strijdom Park VW extensively regarding the excessive wind noise, audible from the passenger side of the vehicle when driving at speeds of 120km per hour. I also conveyed this to VW SA. I was surprised to receive a letter from VW SA indicating that the vehicle I purchased was indeed in spec and that the wind noise is merely a consequence of the design of the vehicle and its side mirrors. They came to this conclusion without testing the vehicle and purely on the strength of the conclusion made by Strijdom Park VW. 5 I find it difficult to understand how a brand such as VW would be satisfied in selling vehicles that make excessive wind noises. Furthermore, the explanation provided by VW SA is entirely implausible. VW SA indicates that the noise experienced by me is purely a bi-product of airflow over the large external mirrors: 5.1 If this is indeed the case then, why is the noise present on one side of the car only? 5.2 If this sort of noise is to be expected as a result of the design of the vehicle, why is this not disclosed to potential purchasers? It is clearly a necessary disclosure that would factor into any consumer’s decision to purchase a vehicle. 5.3 If this issue is a simple consequence of the design of the vehicle and its safety features, why was the dealership not aware of this common issue immediately? 6 I was provided with a number of different explanations as to the reason for the wind noise. 6.1 VW Strijdom Park allegedly repaired the “wind entry issue” by replacing the rubber on the left front door. However after such repairs were effected and once I had an opportunity to drive the vehicle at the sort of speed she would ordinarily drive on a highway, I noticed that the replacement of the rubber had done nothing to remove the noise. 6.2 The foreman at your dealership acknowledged that the noise emanating from the passenger side of the vehicle at high speeds was not normal. 6.3 Strangely, two of my colleagues who drives identical vehicles experienced any sort of wind noise at high speeds. 6.4 And now, the explanation provided by VW SA is that this wind noise is a consequence of the design of the vehicle! . 7 I’m placed in an invidious position; I purchased a new vehicle from a trusted brand expecting that it would be in good order, free of defects and design flaws – as I am entitled to expect in terms of section 55 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2008. At no point during the course of their marketing process to me did they disclose the fact that the design of the vehicle could result in excessive wind noises. If they had disclosed this fact, then I would not have chosen to purchase the vehicle. 8 Despite demand, they failed to make arrangements for the repair of the wind noise experienced by me. 9 I requested that should they not be able to repair this issue that they in terms section 55 read with section 56 of the Consumer Protection Act provide me with a replacement vehicle or alternatively a full refund including finance costs incurred by me as a result of entering into this agreement with them. 10 I’m of the opinion that VW Strijdom Park misled me into entering into the transaction to purchase the vehicle by failing to correct the apparent misapprehension of the new vehicle I chose to purchase would be free of excessive noises whilst driving. This surely not only have an impact on the validity of the transaction itself, but it also constitute a contravention of section 41 read with section 48 of the Consumer Protection Act which carries significant consequences and potential financial penalties. 11 All I’m interested in is for the new vehicle I purchased to live up to the quality levels associated with the VW brand and to have a vehicle in good working order that is free of defects. VW Strijdom Park’s final conclusion is: After completing the back to back tests with more than three vehicles we can confidently state that Mrs …….. Polo 1.2TSI DSG is within the manufacturer’s specification and no further repair attempts are required toward the reported wind noise. The noise noted on Mrs ……. vehicle was found to be within acceptable tolerances from where we will continue to honour her Volkswagen Warranty as per the manufacturer should any defects and/or part failures occur. Sadly VW SA concurs with VW Strijdom Park view and I have a vehicle of almost R300k with an excessive wind noise!</p>