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Review / Formal Complaint On 5 September, shortly after 07:00, I was involved in an accident with my Mahindra TUV 300. At the accident scene, I removed the two fog‑light outer covers because they were loose due to bumper damage. These covers were not damaged. I then drove the vehicle home with no mechanical issues whatsoever. After 09:00, my fiancé and I went to the police station to report the accident. We then took the car to two panel beaters in Vanderbijlpark, who assessed the visible damage without stripping the vehicle. Both panel beaters confirmed: • The passenger‑side front light needed to be replaced due to a cracked mounting point. • The front passenger light had shifted backward, causing a small dent in the side panel. • Both fog‑light brackets were broken and required replacement. • The outer fog‑light covers were intact and reusable. • The grill had a broken clip, and they advised removing it so it wouldn’t fall off while driving. It was placed in my boot. • The condenser was damaged, but the engine was not affected, and the airbags did not deploy. • The frame where the bumper attaches was bent and required alignment and repair. • The bumper needed to be replaced. My fiancé (a qualified mechanic) and his employer ran diagnostics and confirmed no engine damage at all. They also test‑drove the vehicle, checked for further issues, and confirmed I was lucky the engine had not been harmed. From 5–28 September, I drove the vehicle daily with absolutely no issues. On 24 September, we drove family to OR Tambo after 19:00. The vehicle drove perfectly—no overheating, no loss of power, and no unusual fuel or oil consumption. The only visible issue was the loose lights, but they still worked. Alfa Trio asked me to bring the vehicle in on 22 September, but I advised them I could only bring it on 29 September because I had no other transport. ⭐ Issues After Repairs by Alfa Trio On 12 December, I was notified that my vehicle was ready for collection. However, Alfa Trio informed me that the battery had failed and asked if I wanted to purchase a new one. My father collected the faulty battery, bought a new one, and had Alfa Trio install it. I was told the car had been kept on a charger. If Alfa had informed me earlier that the battery was not holding charge, I could have replaced it immediately. Instead, it now feels as though they may have suspected another problem—possibly the diesel pressure sensor—and hoped I would not notice. Alfa also claimed they had run diagnostics and found no errors, which is alarming because as soon as my father drove the vehicle out, the engine warning light came on, the vehicle had no power, and it cut out next to the road. Alfa was contacted, and they came out, scanned the vehicle, found an error, and drove the car back to their workshop. On 15 December, Alfa claimed the issue was caused by an “air bubble” due to low diesel and insisted the vehicle was fixed. My fiancé found this explanation extremely suspicious, as he has never experienced such a scenario. When my father collected the vehicle again, the same issue happened. I was later told that “someone else” had driven the vehicle and didn’t experience any issues—but somehow the problem occurred twice only when my father drove it. This explanation makes no sense. Alfa then took the vehicle to Mahindra, where Mahindra confirmed: • ❗ The diesel pressure sensor was broken • ❗ The issue was NOT accident‑related Alfa phoned me and asked whether I wanted to take the car and repair it myself, or if they should “try” to claim it through my insurance. They even said they doubted that insurance would pay—meaning they expected me to pay R9,000 out of pocket. This sensor clearly broke while the car was in Alfa Trio’s care, possibly due to repeated jump‑starting, electrical overload, or improper handling. I see no reason why I should pay for damage they caused. ⭐ My Position • My father collected a vehicle that ran perfectly before Alfa Trio worked on it. • Alfa Trio introduced new damage that was not present before. • I have been without my vehicle for over three months. • I have already paid: • R4,500 for accident‑related repairs • R1,450 for a new battery • And now they expect R9,000 for damage they caused This brings the total to R14,950, just to get my car back—most of which is the result of Alfa Trio’s errors, not the accident. ⭐ What I Require I expect Alfa Trio to: • Accept full responsibility for the diesel pressure sensor they damaged. • Repair the vehicle at their own cost, not mine. • Return my vehicle in proper, safe, working condition, as required by my insurer. • Preferably have the repairs completed by Mahindra, at Alfa’s cost, to ensure the work is done correctly. • Provide written proof that the repairs were completed, including warranty documentation for the replaced sensor. My insurer trusted Alfa Trio to repair the accident damage—not to cause new issues, leave me without transport for months. Their conduct is unacceptable, unprofessional, and financially damaging.
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