Westvaal Group damaged my car when I took it for service under their guidance and instead of them owning up they want me to pay huge sums of money after another.

My Name: Malope Mabilo Car Model: Chevrolet Cruze 1.6LS Hatch; 2014 Model Store: General Motors Rustenburg (Westvaal GM Rustenburg) Service Consultant: Mpho Technician: Wimpie Manager: Tinus

Let me first that by saying that I am Mining Engineer by qualification and that is my area of expertise. I bought my car brand new upon graduating so that it can help me from the place where I sleep to a place where I make end meats. I have been servicing my car with the owners at Westvaal Rustenburg from 15,000km and my last service was 105,000km. All the services were done at the same shop, who are the owners and are experts when it comes to the car. Each and every advice I was given according to the car I followed. When I took the car in for service of 90,000km I was told to replace the timing belt. I asked the for a quote and what I should buy. I bought what they said I should buy and when I took my car in for 105,000km they did not fit it in for whatever reason. They wanted my car to sleep in but I could not let them because I had made prior travelling trips and they could not offer an alternative vehicle. They told me it is fine I can get the car but I have to bring it in as soon as I can. I made a booking and the timing belt was fitted on Thursday 26 October by a technician called Wimpie (sp). My service provider was Mpho. Everything was fine until on the 31st when it showed an 'code 89' on my way to work. I drove a further 5km to a safe place where I stopped and switched off the car. I heard the sound coming in from the bonnet as if the engine was still running and when I opened the bonnet I realized that the coolant reservoir was empty. I immediately called the Westvaal and i explained to Mpho what had exactly happened and she advised me that I bring the car in so they can check it. I called MiWay, told them I have a problem with my car and i need to be towed and they gave me an overwhelmingly professional help and took my car in and Mpho confirmed she got it. I explained to her that I suspect the problem is with the timing belt, but she insisted that it is not. I was advised that for my car to be fine they have to fit in a new water bottle and a thermostat. Remember I know nothing about car and they are the experts. I said it is fine, I will go get a loan and they can fix the car because I have to go to work. I have trusted them from when I received my car with no mileage so what could go wrong? I paid just below R7,000 for this. I took the car on Monday 6th November in the afternoon. I hardly drove drove 80km to work and back on the 7th and today 8th November the car shows a slippery light and engine light. I immediately called Mpho to tell her about the car and she says I should bring the car in. My colleagues, who have a vast knowledge about cars, checked the car and told me that it is a timing issue. Everyone, even the petrol attendant guys told me that it is a timing issue. I explained this to Mpho when she received the car. She insisted she should do a quick diagnosis with her technicians and they told me I have to buy something else that costs a little over R3,000 (excluding labour). I told her the problem is with the timing belt but she insists her technicians insists is not. The same technicians who messed up my car. I asked to speak to someone in a sore senior position and the foreman blatantly refused to speak to me and they say Tinus is not around. I took my car in to them, under their advice, while it is working fine and since they put in the timing belt, for which I paid another huge amount of money, it has never been the same. I have to mention that before I took my car on the I emailed ********** (email address as provided on the http://www.westvaalgmrustenburg.co.za/Contact-Us.aspx) on the 1st November about this issue and to this day I am still waiting for a reply.