Don't buy a car from Driver1 Bryanston (BAIC) - Republic Rd

I would like to share my experience that we have had with Driver1 Bryanston (Republic Rd) / BAIC SA as I am beyond infuriated with their service & as well as the responses received from both these entities. (Channelled through Driver1 to BAIC)

Below is a summary of my painful journey which has been over 6 months due to all the nonsense being spoken and being given the run around:-

Cosmos (Johan) from Driver1 Bryanston / BAIC sold us the B40 Champion Plus in July 2024. Many promises were made pre-sale of the vehicle but once all was being signed, it was a different story regarding the warranty period & service plans. Also to be noted that the vehicle had not been in an accident but that the previous owner had needed the money, hence the sale. The vehicle apparently came from Herm****. Then when it came to vehicle finance, documents were signed but there was no discussion and I was never advised upfront as to who they would be going to either, I had advised Cosmos that I would be going to my own bank directly. I basically found out when all the notifications were coming through to me. The rates put through were high in comparison to what I could get from my own bank, and I stated that they needed to cancel their application to my bank as I did advise Cosmos not to go there initially. Yes, they are rather quick in getting the rates however this comes at a premium interest rate I might add! Then to top it all, Jaco from Finance then contacts my bank with us on copy and states that seeing that he lost money on this deal they need to compensate him… Ludicrous and unprofessional! When we took ownership of the vehicle, it was sitting on 17-18L/100km and it was just under 3000 kms on the odometer. (Should be between 10L – 13L/100kms) The air freshener in the car was great upon receipt but once it wore off there was a horrid smell of garlic which still is evident today. Strangely we were given extra set of car mats as part of the “thank you gift”…. Upon receiving the car, the blue tooth was not working and there was also no manual.

I raised the concern to Driver1 regarding the fuel consumption as it was still sitting between 14L – 15L/100km & they basically stated that after 5000 kms the engine should ease, and we should then get to between 10-13L/100km. We then did a trip to CT and the consumption was not improving to where it should be. Eventually in Oct I saw Ralph, a new car salesman from Driver 1 Bryanston, in Nicholway promoting the BAIC B40 Plus. I mentioned to him that I was concerned that my vehicle’s fuel consumption was not “right / ideal” as it is not in the range where it should be after 5000kms. When I received the vehicle, it was sitting on 17-18L / 100km and after a return trip from JHB to CT, the car was still sitting on round 14L/100km. Ralph agreed that it shouldn’t be there and suggested that I check the mode button & see what mode the car is set in. Upon checking the mode button, it was not working and therefore I could not determine which mode the vehicle was in. Ralph asked me to bring the car in to have a look and said he would also arrange a manual for me as the one initially sent to us was a blurry PDF file. I took my car in & got given a vehicle to utilise for the day – B40 Plus. I was then advised that the mode button is broken and that the cluster needs to be replaced. Ralph stated that I need to bring my car in again so that they can replace it and that they have already ordered the new cluster in the interim. I keep needing to follow up and I then take my car in once the “new cluster has arrived”. I get given a BAIC B40 Plus to utilise while my car is being fixed. (Ralph also advises me that I will always get a courtesy vehicle of the same calibre as that is how they treat customers.) They keep my car for a couple days; I need to put in R400 for petrol as the car was on empty. When I get to collect my vehicle, Ralph fixes the Bluetooth, still states that he would get us a manual and that the car navigation system will be functional shortly as initially we were told its not available. Ralph tells me they will reimburse me the R400 for the petrol – To date l have not been reimbursed. The outcome of the visit is that there they have installed the cluster however the cluster is not syncing with the dashboard and now they need to tie in with China’s technical team as they need to get some software sorted out. Jacque from BAIC being the only trustworthy technician. So now I would need to bring the car back again a few weeks later. I consistently must follow up. Then unfortunately I then get told that Jacque (BAIC) has had a stroke so he could not come in to attempt to fix the vehicle in Nov / Dec. We need to drive to CT in Dec again – The vehicle is still sitting round 14L/100k. In Dec my car is needing a 15000km service – Ralph advises me that it will be better to do the 2 together to avoid me having to bring the car in twice and I won’t get penalised for a late service. 16 Jan 2025 and I’m sitting on 16500kms. There is another visit in-between & get given a dirty Polo with broken door handles - They give me a R400 voucher so I can go put petrol in the car. I then get advised that Ralph has spoken to Jacque who has the head of technical from China with him and they will sort the car out the following week. New cluster arrives – Get given a car with no petrol in it & get advised to put in R100 to get it home & back. When collecting my car Ralph advises me that the outcome of what went wrong was that the incorrect cluster was put int. A diesel as opposed to petrol cluster & the Paarl Dealership is to blame for putting the incorrect cluster in. I reply that this is rather weird as the last time you stated Stellenbosch (originally Herm****) and surely when you buy a vehicle you would check the history – Apparently not. Another point of confusion is that last year I brought the car in to replace the cluster (Nov / Dec) & that was when the next problem arose of it not syncing to the dashboard. So, I am now very confused…. Ralph just said that that is what he was told by the Service Manager, who subsequently resigned in Dec. Now Blue tooth is not working again as well as navigation not possible at all. I apparently had a service however the brake fluid light came on 2 days later so I’m not too sure how efficient & effective the services are at this branch.

In all fairness to Ralph, he did not sell us the car but did try his best to assist and was apparently also given the run around by the Service Dept.

Due to this incident, I have wasted a lot of money on additional fuel consumption – Which is ludicrous. I received a warning from my company stating that I am over my required consumption by 290L & that I will be liable to pay cash for this – Is Driver1 / BAIC going to pay??!!!!! I have worked for Motor Manufacturers like Toyota, VW & Merc and I am dumbfounded by the run around I am being given by BAIC or should I say Driver1 Bryanston