Mislead Car Purchase, Slow sense of urgency for resolve.

My experience with WeBuyCars is one I hoped would be positive, but unfortunately, I am now left with a car I cannot use.

In March 2025, I began searching for a vehicle as a birthday gift to myself. I found a car I liked at the WeBuyCars Johannesburg South (Nasrec) branch. The car was marked with a platinum sticker, indicating it was in excellent condition and ready for immediate use. I paid a deposit and financed the remaining balance. I had communicated in advance that I wanted to collect the vehicle during my birthday week, and this was agreed upon before any paperwork was finalized.

However, by mid-April, I was asked by the dealership to collect the car earlier than planned, and I picked it up on April 12, 2025. Within just a few weeks—by early May—the car began emitting white smoke. Upon taking it for inspection, I was informed that the engine had issues affecting both oil and fuel consumption.

I immediately contacted WeBuyCars to raise the issue. I sent an email and provided all the required documentation. Sadly, my birthday passed with the “gift” I bought for myself ending up on a tow truck, as it was deemed undrivable.

Since then, I have made several follow-up calls seeking feedback on my case. I was told I would receive a response within 48 hours, but it has now been over two weeks with no update. I also reached out to my finance provider, Marquis Finance, but have yet to receive any response from them either.

Before bringing this matter to a public platform, I made one last attempt to follow up with WeBuyCars. An agent told me she would contact the person handling my case, placed me on hold, and never called back—even after my airtime ran out.

I have since requested to cancel the purchase, as I believe I was misled. A car with a platinum sticker should not have serious engine problems upon delivery. If I had wanted to deal with mechanical issues, I would have purchased a vehicle marked with a green sticker.

What hurts the most is that my birthday passed with me staring at a car I couldn’t even drive—let alone enjoy as the gift I had intended for myself.