Active since Sep 2020
In 2019 September, I bought a Mercedes Benz E350 Bluetec from Monte Carlo Auto (Hurlingham, Johannesburg). The Salesman was Thulie. The Sales Manager or Sales Supervisor was Chris. The car did not have a spare key. I signed the contract of the car on condition that they promised to pay for the spare key with Mercedes-Benz. After buying the car, I sent Chris a quotation (+R6000) from Mercedes-Benz Sandton, as he had requested, and he indicated that I can take the car to Mercedes-Benz Sandton, they would pay for the spare key. But on two occasions in 2019 I had booked for the spare key service and wanted written confirmation that they would pay the invoice when I collect the car in the afternoon, he would ignore my phone messages, calls and emails. I tried reaching him in 2020, 2021, 2022 and this year 2023 in July we finally spoke, where Chris indicated to me that they (Monte Carlo Auto) had ordered and paid for the spare key back then, and that he would check on the key and revert back to me. Now as I write this review it is towards end of August 2023 and he has since ignored my phone calls and emails I sent to him regarding the matter. I have now written to the Motor Industry Ombudsman of South Africa, and hopefully they would help. I even have an email and voicenote of Chris committing to the spare key issue yet now he is playing hide and seek. Totally unprofessional service. I am in a process of also approaching other online platforms to give them maximum bad exposure that they deserve.
On Monday 31 August 2023, I phoned Mercedes Benz South Africa to report the dismal unprofessional service of Mercedes Benz Sandton, under their new owners The Motus Group. I had the previous week requested a SERVICE HISTORY record for my car, an E350 Bluetec, and they sent me a two-page pdf doc titled DAMAGE REPORT. Not only did it not have any Mercedes Benz logo in it, or even stamped, it also did not reflect any of the key services that were undertaken under my ownership. It looked exactly like it says, a damage report, instead of a service book. The two major services that were done in 2022, out of my own pocket (as the warranty had expired - which totalled above R70 000 combined) are not reflecting on that 'damage report'. Since the Consultant (Pran Pillai) who sent me the damage report me at Mercedes Sandton is ignoring my emails (which included their Service Manager Mr Da Silva). I then escalated the matter to Mercedes Benz South Africa on Monday 31 August. As I write this review, no assistance and feedback has been received, from both Mercedes Benz South Africa and the Sandton dealerships. When I phoned Mercedes Benz South Africa on Wednesday midday, a Consultant by the name of Lindokuhle Mthethwa could not confirm what if they have contacted Mercedes Benz Sandton (as I demanded to know the exact time and who they spoke to). That gave me the indication that they have not even contacted the dealership, which just made me lose all hopes in both the Motus Group, which owns the Sandton Benz dealership, and Mercedes Benz South Africa for being a dismal watchdog over the dealerships operating in South Africa. It is such a pity that when the Mercedes Benz Sandton was owned by Sandown Motors, the service was WORLD CLASS. Even on their workshop wall, they displayed that were were voted Number 1 in the country for service. But ever since Motus Group (an Indian owned group) took over, the standards have been dismal, as I observed when bring the car for service there. It is a pity that the standards had to drop after a Black group takes over. This pains my heart. In 2002 August I brought my car in for engine oil leak at the Mercedes Benz Sandton, where I paid R23983.80. But four months down the line, I brought the car back in December 2022 for the same engine leak, which now had gotten worse, and for that one I paid R50939.30 (both out of my own pocket). As I am about to also report to the Ombudsman, it is with a heavy heart that my previous perceptions that when you are buying a Benz you are buying not only a car but an experience were completely unfounded!!! Thank Goodness there are many better options in the car market!!!
On Monday 31 August 2023, I phoned Mercedes Benz South Africa to report the dismal unprofessional service of Mercedes Benz Sandton, under their new owners The Motus Holdings. I had the previous week requested a SERVICE HISTORY record for my car, an E350 Bluetec, and they sent me a two-page pdf doc titled DAMAGE REPORT. Not only did it not have any Mercedes Benz logo in it, or even stamped, it also did not reflect any of the key services that were undertaken under my ownership. It looked exactly like it says, a damage report, instead of a service book. The two major services that were done in 2022, out of my own pocket (as the warranty had expired - which totalled above R70 000 combined) are not reflecting on that 'damage report'. Since the Consultant (Pran Pillai) who sent me the damage report me at Mercedes Sandton is ignoring my emails (which included their Service Manager Mr Da Silva). I then escalated the matter to Mercedes Benz South Africa on Monday 31 August. As I write this review, no assistance and feedback has been received, from both Mercedes Benz South Africa and the Sandton dealerships. When I phoned Mercedes Benz South Africa on Wednesday midday, a Consultant by the name of Lindokuhle Mthethwa could not confirm what if they have contacted Mercedes Benz Sandton (as I demanded to know the exact time and who they spoke to). That gave me the indication that they have not even contacted the dealership, which just made me lose all hopes in both the Motus Group, which owns the Sandton Benz dealership, and Mercedes Benz South Africa for being a dismal watchdog over the dealerships operating in South Africa. It is such a pity that when the Mercedes Benz Sandton was owned by Sandown Motors, the service was WORLD CLASS. Even on their workshop wall, they displayed that were were voted Number 1 in the country for service. But ever since Motus Group (an Indian owned group) took over, the standards have been dismal, as I observed when bring the car for service there. It is a pity that the standards had to drop after a Black group takes over. This pains my heart. In 2002 August I brought my car in for engine oil leak at the Mercedes Benz Sandton, where I paid R23983.80. But four months down the line, I brought the car back in December 2022 for the same engine leak, which now had gotten worse, and for that one I paid R50939.30 (both out of my own pocket). As I am about to also report to the Ombudsman, it is with a heavy heart that my previous perceptions that when you are buying a Benz you are buying not only a car but an experience were completely unfounded!!! Thank Goodness there are many better options in the car market!!!
I went to SARS Doringkloof Branch (Centurion) on 14 September 2021 to file my return. The SARS Consultant only scanned my documents, but told me there is no need to file my return, as all documentation was scanned. I only had one IRP5 from a recent employer, but an IRP5 from another previous employer was missing, as they deducted tax from employees, but were not handing over deducted PAYE tax to SARS. Infact on 22 September 2020 I opened a case of non-compliance with SARS against this employer, and more than 14 months later I have not received feedback on the matter. After my visit to the Doringkloof branch on 14 September 2021, after following up, I was asked to file my returns. I returned to SARS Doringkloof branch on 13 October 2021 to file my returns. I was thereafter informed my return was selected for audit, and that SARS has a 21-working day turn-around on audit cases. It's now almost one month and a half, and the 21 working days long passed and still no assistance. Ms. Barbara Radise (Doringkloof Branch Manager) has no willingness to assist after writing to her. I also got an insulting email from a senior SARS official Ms Felicity Kunene (Manager: Compliance Analysis). The Office of the Commissioner does not even respond to the emails I have repeatedly sent. A SARS Auditor called Busisiwe Mosaka called me on 29 October and promised to calk me back, but has never called back again. I never get her everytime I calk the call-centre and leave messages for her. It is so sad that an institution that used to be the benchmark in service standards, and had systems that were a blueprint for rest of government has been relegated to this level of lethargy. Clearly SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter has not kept his word on improving service stands at SARS.
On 25 September 2020 I received a great service from Tebogo Moloi of MiWay. As an existing client, my car battery was flat after leaving ignition on for hree hours. Within 25 minutes of calling Teboho, my car was boosted an problem solved. That is what I call great service!!!
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