Absolutely Disgusted with Kia Springfield’s Service

I purchased a Kia Rio from Kia Springfield on October 29, 2022, and from day one, I experienced nothing but poor service, dishonesty, and sheer disregard for customer care.

1. Faulty Car from Day One – On the day of collection, I discovered that the driver’s door hinges were faulty. I was promised it would be fixed within a week—this never happened.

2. Missing Spare Keys & License Plate Delays – I was assured that my spare keys and number plates would be ready within a week. Weeks passed, and I had to chase them for a whole month before I finally received what I had already paid for.

3. ********* Sales Practices – The salesman Patrick Memela and then-sales manager Zulfikar Shalk provided absolutely ********** service. Their attitude was dismissive, and they had no regard for customer satisfaction. I eventually stopped using this dealership entirely.

4. Paint Issues & Undisclosed Vehicle History – Recently, I took my car for service at Kia Umhlanga, where I was shocked to learn that the car’s paint is fading—an indication that the original factory paint was NOT used. Further inspections revealed that this demo car had undergone previous work, something that was NEVER disclosed to me at the time of purchase.

5. Failure to Address the Issue – On March 30, 2025, I went back to Kia Springfield and spoke to Patrick, who admitted he did not disclose any prior work on the vehicle. I was referred to the current sales manager, Trevor Pillay, who observed the car, took photos, and promised to follow up by April 1, 2025. He did not even take the VIN number—a clear sign that this was never going to be taken seriously.

6. Ignored & Disrespected Again – No follow-up call, no update, nothing! When I called Trevor on April 3, 2025, he brushed me off, stating that they were told no work had been done on the car, despite physical proof to the contrary. His response was dismissive, saying, "You bought this car two years ago, you can't complain now." Excuse me?! So if the paint fades due to their poor practices, it's my fault that it didn’t happen within seven days?

This dealership has been nothing but a nightmare from the start. The dishonesty, negligence, and lack of accountability from Kia Springfield are appalling. I would strongly urge anyone considering buying a vehicle from them to think twice. If you want a dealership that values honesty and customer service, stay far away from Kia Springfield!

I will be escalating this issue further.