Wheels come off in used car deal

Car’s been fixed more than four times – Magwaza

Consumer Line has been inundated with complaints from consumers who feel they have been ripped off by secondhand car dealers.

Most of the complaints have proved to be true and consumers had their contracts cancelled. In some instances, their cars were repaired.

Goodman Magwaza, 59, of Palm Springs in the Vaal, is one of these customers.

He bought a second-hand car at Hyundai Constantia Kloof in July and was led to believe it was a 2011 model but the car was made in 2008.

“I discovered this after signing the contract at Wesbank.”

Magwaza said a number of defects surfaced within a month after he’d traded in his Polo Vivo valued at R60 000 for a Suzuki SX4 worth R128 795.

The balance was financed by Wesbank.

Magwaza said he asked for a roadworthy certificate, but the dealer did not give him one.

He said the car broke down on a return trip to Bethal in Mpumalanga on November 4.

“The car had to be towed to the dealership.”

He said when he returned the car to cancel the contract, he was offered another vehicle to use while repairs were undertaken.

“The car has been fixed more than four times already and they still insist on repairing it, except that they want us to pay the bill this time [R35 000].”

Magwaza said he tried to cancel the deal with his financier without luck.

Tienie Potgieter, dealer principal at Hyundai Constantia Kloof, claimed Magwaza has taken his complaint to the Motor Industry Ombudsman (MIO).

“Unfortunately we can’t comment until we have received feedback from both parties as we have already given them a written response,” said Potgieter in an e-mail.

Magwaza said he did not approach the ombudsman.

Potgieter later said he was the one who took the complaint to the MOI and his financier, but he could not say who mandated him to do so.

He also could not explain what he told the two institutions.

Patience Ramanugu, of Wesbank, said they were investigating the allegations.

“We have requested our area manager to meet with the dealer and we will be reverting feedback soon.”

/ KABELO MOKOENA Goodman Magwaza is having trouble with a faulty second-hand car he bought through Hyundai Constantia Kloof in Johannesburg. It was financed by Wesbank.