The Motor Industry Ombudsman of South Africa has ruled in favour of Wesley Joubert, a Gauteng man who complained about persistent mechanical problems with a used Ford Fiesta purchased from Rifle Range Car Sales. Joubert, 29, from Ferndale in Randburg, lodged a complaint after the vehicle developed a series of mechanical failures shortly after the purchase in August 2024.
The car, which had travelled approximately 138,117 kilometres at the time of purchase, was bought for R169,000. However, Joubert was only able to use it for three months before it broke down repeatedly, despite numerous repairs. The situation took a turn when Joubert attempted to sell the vehicle to a car-buying company and was informed that it had previously been involved in an accident.
Hidden Crash History
According to Joubert, the car-buying company told him that the vehicle had been bought from an auction house that only deals with accident-damaged vehicles. He then obtained a history report from First Check, which confirmed that the car was involved in an accident in 2016 and underwent major repairs. The report further stated that the car was in a poor condition.
Joubert provided a telephonic conversation he had with a representative from the car-buying company, who told him that they could not purchase the vehicle because it had been involved in an accident. The conversation was backed by a report from First Check, which showed that the car had a hidden crash history.
Dealership Disputes Claim
Rifle Range Car Sales disputed the complaint, stating that it had provided all relevant documentation, including DEKRA inspection reports, roadworthy certificates and invoices. The dealership also confirmed that the engine had been replaced, but maintained that there were no reports indicating previous accident damage or repairs.
However, in a screenshot provided by the dealership from Autobid, there was a disclaimer stating that the report is not guaranteed to contain a full history of all repair quotes. This raised questions about the accuracy of the dealership’s claims.
The Motor Industry Ombudsman’s ruling in favour of Joubert is a significant victory for consumers who have been sold faulty vehicles with hidden crash histories. It highlights the importance of doing thorough research and checking the history of a vehicle before making a purchase.
- Check the vehicle’s history report from a reputable company like First Check
- Inspect the vehicle for any signs of damage or repairs
- Ask the dealership about the vehicle’s history and any previous owners
By taking these steps, consumers can avoid buying a faulty vehicle and ensure that they are making an informed purchase.
