Complaint about financed modified vehicle

In March 2018 I purchased a 2013 VW Polo 1.2tdi Bluemotion from Christoff van Rensburg at WB Car Sales (C/O Malibongwe & Tungsten Drive, Randburg). I'm based in Cape Town and the car was driven down by the dealership. The car was financed by Wesbank. Upon taking delivery of the vehicle it was discovered that the diesel particulate filter (DPF) light was on. The next day the engine management light and glow plug lights were displayed on the dash as well. I immediately reported this to Christoff at the dealership.

After numerous trips to a few workshops in Cape Town it was discovered at VW that the catalytic converter and diesel particulate filter was removed. It was quoted at approximately R60 000 to have the parts installed. The dealership refused to pay for this. Upon taking the vehicle to the initial workshop I visited (Kessel Motors in Bree Street), it was discovered that the car has a Dastek manufactured Unichip engine management system installed which manipulates the car's standard engine control unit and attempts to fool the car's sensors into thinking the DPF and catalytic converter is still installed.

I reported this to the dealership and Koos Mollentze from Wesbank. The dealership then responded with a lawyer's letter stating that I had done the modifications myself. I then took the serial number of the Unichip, contacted Dastek who tracked the initial sale of the chip to Steve's Auto Clinic (SAC) in Vanderbijlpark in November 2016. I contacted SAC (spoke to Flavio) who confirmed that they installed that Unichip with that same serial number and removed the catalytic converter and DPF on the 30th of November 2016 and PROVIDED ME WITH THE INVOICE proving that the car had been modified almost two years prior to me purchasing it.

The dealership has subsequently not responded and Wesbank has done absolutely nothing to assist with this. Koos Mollentze responded saying I should get a lawyer which I find absolutely ludicrous as I have clearly provided Wesbank with all sufficient evidence to have their legal team contact WB Car Sales. Wesbank after all still holds the title to the vehicle.

What is most upsetting is Wesbank and Koos Mollentze's nonchalant attitude around this case. I have had a few vehicles financed through Wesbank in the past including a R250 000 Toyota Fortuner and have always been a good, solid customer.

Expected outcome: · If WB Car Sales had disclosed to me that the car was modified in this way, I would never have purchased this car for the following reasons:

o I will have extreme difficulty trying to trade in or sell the vehicle as I will have to disclose these modifications upon doing so.

o The value of the vehicle will have been affected due to these after-market modifications.

o The reason I purchased this car is due to it having Bluemotion technology and thus being a “green car”. Meaning it releases practically zero emissions into the atmosphere and is meant to be extremely economical in terms of fuel consumption. The fact that the catalytic converter and diesel particulate filter was removed means that the emissions benefit has been totally voided and removed. The fact that the Unichip is installed to provide the car with more power means that the fuel consumption benefit has been voided and removed. The Unichip installation provides more power which also adds strain on the engine. The gentlemen at Kessel told me that due to the Unichip, the car is guaranteed to have numerous issues in future.

o Due to the Unichip being installed, if my car should have any engines problems, Motorite will not honour my warranty as it’s seen as a modification. The dealership should have disclosed the information of the modifications to the bank as I doubt the bank would have issued a Motorite warranty knowing about these modifications.

· My expected outcome is that I am allowed to return this vehicle to WB Car Sales who settle the finance with Wesbank.

Please have someone with more authority than Koos Mollentze contact me.