Dont buy vehicles from WE BUY CARS, EPPING

On Friday, 13 Sept. 2024 I collected my Ford Ecosport Titanium from We Buy Cars (WBC), Epping branch, after purchase. The following morning after starting up the engine, my husband and I noticed dark smoke coming from the exhaust pipe, which lasted for about 5 minutes. After that cleared up, we used the vehicle. The following morning, Sunday 15/09/24, the same happened and we made a video recording. My husband suspected that this could be a diesel injector leak. The Monday morning, 16/09/2024 we took the vehicle back to the branch to report the defect as I was still within my 7-day period where I could report defects to the newly purchased vehicle. Keep in mind this was a “Gold” Dekra - approved vehicle. We informed the agent who attended to the sale, Erin Joshua, that its most probably the fuel injector that’s defective. He told my husband “Don’t stress about it”. We advised that we will only be able to return the vehicle the following week 24 /09/24. We booked the vehicle in at the Epping branch on 24/09/2024 and received feedback from the Sales Manager, Mr De Beer on Monday, 30/09/2024 that one injector is indeed defective but its best if all injectors are replaced. There was no way I could have detected the defect as the vehicle was already “warm” when I collected it on 13/09/24 so only afterwards we noticed it. This was a defect which was clearly visible when starting up the engine so it’s quite concerning how nobody noticed the excessive smoke fuming from the exhaust pipe and not declare it. On 03/10/24 I was told by the sales manager that the fuel injector probably broke overnight so as soon as the vehicle came into my possession– what an insult to my intelligence. I decided to directly communicate via WhatsApp (to ensure a paper-trail of conversations) with the Sales Manager, Mr De Beer. On 30/09/2024, the Mr De Beer advised that the quote received to replace the injectors, varied between R28 – 32 000.00 which they, WBC, cannot cover as, and I quote “its above their level to approve for repairs”. Instead, the regional manager advised him to put a claim through Innovation which is MY motor warranty plan that I took out when I purchased the vehicle. I had no choice but to agree, failing which the purchase would be cancelled. This resulted in MY motor warranty now being used to replace defective items which should have been replaced by WBC before selling the vehicle to myself or anyone. On 03/10/2024 WBC agreed to arrange for a rental vehicle which I collected - it’s probably the lowest cost, most outdated vehicle with a non-working petrol gage and no kilometre indicator. – did not use the vehicle at all, parked it in my garage until my vehicle is repaired. On 03/10/2024 I was told still nothing was done on my vehicle as they were still waiting on the fuel injectors tests? And yet we know that at least one injector is defective, so without any tests how could the sales manager know this – at some stage tests must have been done already. The sales manager told me he will be going leave from 06/10/2024 but he will have Mr Joshua take over. On Mond.06/10/2024 I called WBC, ***, and spoke to Shanella, explaining my concern and grievance and she advised that she will be sending an email to Mr Joshua, the sales – and branch manager that morning. On 07/10/2024 I was told by Mr Joshua that they can provide me with a curtesy vehicle – which proves there was no communication between the Sales Manager to him as I already have a curtesy vehicle. According to Mr Joshua the repairs might not be approved?? The Sales manager already confirmed with me on 30/09/2024 that approval will be granted given I use my warranty which I agreed to, then it was supposed to be all systems go. It has been 22 days to date (24/09 – 15/10) and my car is still at Autospec. Autospec confirmed that the defective fuel injectors were indeed a pre-existing defect, it was not caused overnight, as suggested by Mr De Beer. Don’t do business with Erin Joshua – no communication skills, the Sales Manager, Mr De Beer hands over to an *********** agent. Mr Prosper, though finally took over on 08/10/24, provided timeous feedback on a daily basis and rep**** to my enquiries when needed. I sent Mr De Beer a message on 04/10/2024 to follow up on my vehicle’s progress, today, 11 days later, he still did not even bother to open my message, after promising me that he will keep an eye on the progress. I already paid my 1st instalment for a car I only used 1 week!!! Its been 22 days! STAY AWAY FROM WE BUY CARS, EPPING.