SMD
Claimed Business
AI Review Summary
Based on recent customer reviews, SMD receives overwhelmingly negative feedback centered on severe after-sales failures. Customers consistently report not receiving vehicle paperwork, including registration documents and change of ownership forms, leaving them unable to register vehicles in their names. Refund processes are described as painfully slow or unresolved. Communication is a critical pain point, with unanswered phone calls, ignored emails, and staff passing customers between departments without resolution. Several customers allege fraudulent practices at certain branches. Rare positive experiences highlight helpful individual consultants and timely refund processing.
Performance(last 12 months):
0Trustindex Rating
#44Ranked In Automotive
63h 5mReply Time
-80 NPSUnlikely
Replied to 72% of negative reviews
Reply time on negative reviews: 66 hours 39 min
TrustIndex
0
Ranking
#44
in Automotive
Avg Reply
63h 5m
NPS Score
-80
Recommended: Unlikely
Replied to 72% of negative reviews
Reply time on negative reviews: 66 hours 39 min
Review Distribution
1.4|20 Reviews
May '25 - Apr '26
5(11.8%)
4(0%)
3(0%)
2(0%)
1(88.2%)
5(11.8%)
4(0%)
3(0%)
2(0%)
1(88.2%)
Frequently Asked Questions About SMD
Based on recent customer reviews, SMD receives overwhelmingly negative feedback centered on severe after-sales failures. Customers consistently report not receiving vehicle paperwork, including registration documents and change of ownership forms, leaving them unable to register vehicles in their names. Refund processes are described as painfully slow or unresolved. Communication is a critical pain point, with unanswered phone calls, ignored emails, and staff passing customers between departments without resolution. Several customers allege fraudulent practices at certain branches. Rare positive experiences highlight helpful individual consultants and timely refund processing.
SMD has a TrustIndex of 0 out of 10 on Hellopeter, based on 20 reviews in the last 12 months. They reply to 72% of negative reviews, typically within 66 hours 39 min. Hellopeter has tracked SMD across 355 total reviews. How is the TrustIndex calculated? →
Recent reviews (20)
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Share Your ExperienceDF
Denise F
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
11 Mar 2026, 07:15
Smd does not refund deposits
We made a deposit of R5000 in November to be able to buy a vehicle. We requested a refund on the 6 of February and to date have not received anything. I have sent repeated emails which all have been ignored. I have logged 2 complaints on email which have also been ignored. It's very frustrating working with a business that has no customer service
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)DF
Denise F
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
11 Mar 2026, 07:15
Smd does not refund deposits
We made a deposit of R5000 in November to be able to buy a vehicle. We requested a refund on the 6 of February and to date have not received anything. I have sent repeated emails which all have been ignored. I have logged 2 complaints on email which have also been ignored. It's very frustrating working with a business that has no customer service
0
Replies (0)SM
Sanele M
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
9 Mar 2026, 20:44
Today I went to Cape Town SMD only to be met by security telling me that SMD has closed down all its branches in South African
Today I went to Cape Town SMD only to be met by security telling me that SMD has closed down all its branches in South African. The new owners acquired the business 2 years ago but couldn’t run it properly that’s why today they have closed business. Their website is already down showing no cars available for purchase. The problem is that they didn’t communicate with their customers whom they still owe their deposits, refunds and some of us car paperwork.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)SM
Sanele M
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
9 Mar 2026, 20:44
Today I went to Cape Town SMD only to be met by security telling me that SMD has closed down all its branches in South African
Today I went to Cape Town SMD only to be met by security telling me that SMD has closed down all its branches in South African. The new owners acquired the business 2 years ago but couldn’t run it properly that’s why today they have closed business. Their website is already down showing no cars available for purchase. The problem is that they didn’t communicate with their customers whom they still owe their deposits, refunds and some of us car paperwork.
0
Replies (0)K
Katlego
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
9 Mar 2026, 06:14
I refer to the sale of my accident-damaged vehicle (also previously ****** and recovered) via your online portal. All required paperwork, including the NATIS document, copies of my ID, and the sale agreement/contract, was completed on 19 February 2026, an
********* process and still not paid after 2 weeks but they still have my vehicle
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)K
Katlego
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
9 Mar 2026, 06:14
I refer to the sale of my accident-damaged vehicle (also previously ****** and recovered) via your online portal. All required paperwork, including the NATIS document, copies of my ID, and the sale agreement/contract, was completed on 19 February 2026, an
********* process and still not paid after 2 weeks but they still have my vehicle
0
Replies (0)J
SM
Sanele M
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
28 Feb 2026, 09:57
Last week I bought a car from SMD Boksburg and when I requested paperwork I was told it will be sent, it’s been 2 weeks now still waiting for car paperwork, this is such *********** for big company, I cannot register the car in my name without the paperwo
Last week I bought a car from SMD Boksburg and when I requested paperwork I was told it will be sent, it’s been 2 weeks now still waiting for car paperwork, this is such *********** for big company, I cannot register the car in my name without the paperwork I am stuck with a car now. I would recommend anyone to use this company they have changed so much as if they don’t care. They do not answer phone and they don’t respond back to emails.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)SM
Sanele M
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
28 Feb 2026, 09:57
Last week I bought a car from SMD Boksburg and when I requested paperwork I was told it will be sent, it’s been 2 weeks now still waiting for car paperwork, this is such *********** for big company, I cannot register the car in my name without the paperwo
Last week I bought a car from SMD Boksburg and when I requested paperwork I was told it will be sent, it’s been 2 weeks now still waiting for car paperwork, this is such *********** for big company, I cannot register the car in my name without the paperwork I am stuck with a car now. I would recommend anyone to use this company they have changed so much as if they don’t care. They do not answer phone and they don’t respond back to emails.
0
Replies (0)S
TM
Thulisile M
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
27 Jan 2026, 10:44
****MED BY SMD
We bought 2 cars at SMD Boksburg(Mercedes Benz) SMD Bloemgontein (VW). When the towing driver gets to the Bloemgontein branch he is told the car is nowhere to be found and that the car was sold last year. We believe we are being de*****ed by SMD and would like a refund for both our cars. We would also like to be refunded the money paid to the towing vehicles for both the cars.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)TM
Thulisile M
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
27 Jan 2026, 10:44
****MED BY SMD
We bought 2 cars at SMD Boksburg(Mercedes Benz) SMD Bloemgontein (VW). When the towing driver gets to the Bloemgontein branch he is told the car is nowhere to be found and that the car was sold last year. We believe we are being de*****ed by SMD and would like a refund for both our cars. We would also like to be refunded the money paid to the towing vehicles for both the cars.
0
Replies (0)JM
Junior M
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
20 Oct 2025, 10:10
SMD Durban bad service
I am very disappointed with SMD Durban's service. I bought a car on the 4th of Aug 2025 and requested the reg documents to be sent to Boksburg. I have been calling, sending emails and I am not getting any help or response from my emails. Its end of Oct now I still don't have car reg documents and I am not even getting any communication
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)JM
Junior M
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
20 Oct 2025, 10:10
SMD Durban bad service
I am very disappointed with SMD Durban's service. I bought a car on the 4th of Aug 2025 and requested the reg documents to be sent to Boksburg. I have been calling, sending emails and I am not getting any help or response from my emails. Its end of Oct now I still don't have car reg documents and I am not even getting any communication
0
Replies (0)