Wesbank and the failed vehicle finance journey of a lifetime. TAKE YOUR MONEY AND TIME ELSEWHERE!!!!!

I started my journey with Wesbank on the 8th August 2022, with a fantastic and patient salesperson who we will call "SS", as my issue is not with them. This would be my first vehicle finance and it would be to buy my current vehicle from my late Gran's estate, as my Gran financed it for me when I bought it in 2017. What came next was definitely hard on the heart and the pockets. DEKRA! R7000 later and my car (which already drove perfectly) was deemed roadworthy.

Then came the issue of my drivers license. On the South African system, the government did not update/renew my license so my last license on the system expired in 2018. My current license expires in Aug 2023 but it doesn't reflect on the system (who does one even speak to about this?!) Anyway, SS sent a company to come physically verify my license and they approved it/found I was in possession of a valid drivers license.

My finance was finally approved and a payout was made to the estate. I carried on driving like nothing has happened because it was my car to begin with. No new car smell, no ribbon, no nothing. Just more debt due to DEKRA and ridiculous things! Anyway.

On the 17th October, I received an email from SS saying that and I quote, "Please take note that we will do change of ownership and within 14-21 working days you will receive an ALV form and copy of NaTIS to do the licence disc in your name this email will come directly from registration. You will have 21 days to obtain the licence disc and before the roadworthy expires. You will be liable for the licence disc only."

On the 9th November, I hadn't heard anything so I followed up to no avail as SS was out of office and as it had only been 17 days since the last email and I had to allow for 21. I left it.

On the 22nd November, I followed up again, requesting an update as I need to go renew my license disc. SS is still out of office.

On the 28th November, I still have not heard anything from Wesbank so I follow up with all the names listed in SS's out of office response. Requesting an update on my application/the change of ownership etc and state "as I need to go renew my license disc." PW responds, "Please note that the application is in an open status meaning that it was paid. Has our reg team gotten into contact with you?" I say nobody has gotten in touch with me.

29th November - I follow up with PW and the rest of the contacts listed, I ask if this has been escalated to the registration team. No response.

30th November - MY FIRST INSTALLMENT GOES OFF!!!! I email PW and the other contacts again, "I have still not heard anything from Wesbank and this needs to be resolved as soon as possible!"

1st December - After being on hold for 10minutes, I get through to a consultant in customer care who is mumbling so I don't know what he's saying but he puts me through to Wesbank private finance, switchboard?. I speak to a lady who informs me that the change of ownership hasn't been completed because (and get this!) MY DRIVERS LICENSE HAS EXPIRED!!!! I MUST GO RENEW MY DRIVERS LICENSE BEFORE THEY CAN DO THE CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP!!!

1st December - I lose my mind.

Wesbank should have phoned me or given me some kind of indication that this is what we were waiting for!? I did not receive any communication regarding this "issue". An issue that they were well aware of in October, Wesbank sent a company to come physically verify my drivers license is real in October! After a successful verification, they approve my finance and payout to my Gran's estate! As the client, I should not have to follow up multiple times with multiple different people when this is an issue that should have been flagged and discussed with me. ONE PERSON could have picked up the phone or sent the email. I am in possession of a valid drivers license which expires in Aug 2023. Wesbank is well aware of this and deemed my drivers license good enough to give me vehicle finance but now its an issue to change the ownership over to me???? I was told I would receive a call at 10am. It has now been 45minutes and I am done!

Cherry on top, my roadworthy certificate has expired.

Honestly, just so so disappointed!