Dog **** service

SMG ARC Durban is not even worthy of a half star review after the putrid service I received from them

On 21/09/2024 my vehicle was towed in to SMG ARC Durban for repairs after my family and I had been through an extremely traumatic incident the night before.

My vehicle was there for an entire month under the eye of Ernest, we would get regular updates regarding the progress of work, and made them aware of the deadline when we were to return the rental vehicle provided to us by insurance. The deadline was cut extremely fine wherein I had to be transported via Uber to fetch my vehicle as it was not done in time for a convenient pickup process.

Upon taking delivery, multiple issues were noted and I made it clear that I was going to bring the vehicle back for proper repairs to spec. On or around the first week of November I brought the vehicle back for proper repairs and amendments to several areas of what was quite dismal work done on my vehicle, where I was given a courtesy vehicle to use, my vehicle remained with ARC for the better part of yet another month before I was contacted to come through for delivery.

Upon taking delivery, yet again I had to request for certain things to be amended on the spot and was told that with any repair there will be waves in the bodywork, furthermore the process used in SMG ARC Durban workshop stripped the paint off of the wheelcaps on my vehicle (this was never sorted and I was told they are aftermarket hence why its not an SMG ARC issue), this being the case,when my wheelcaps were near brand new when my vehicle arrived at ARC. After finally having my vehicle back from repairs that took almost two months to conduct, yet again I had to bring the vehicle back for an amendment to a wire that was sticking out in my side mirror. Thereafter I had to bring the vehicle back a third time for the headlight and bumper that kept coming out of place.

My vehicle had recently gone back to SMG ARC Durban for a fourth time following the paint on the bumper that was peeling as well as the bumper corner continuously popping out of place, this was after months of following up from my end since May this year, I was promised a call at the end of August which never happened and eventually had to demand service at the end of September before I was given the time of day.

My vehicle came in on or around the first week of October and remained there for just over two weeks where the bumper was resprayed among other things amended, during this time there was an incident which took place unbeknown to me until recent events unfolded. On Monday 28/10/2025, after taking delivery of my vehicle, I contacted Ernest regarding heavy condensation in the fog light that had been replaced during the initial repairs in 2024. Ernest requested that I bring the vehicle in (for the fifth time) to asses what was wrong.

Upon my arrival on the 28th Ernest had a look at the light and advised me that it looked to be a blown globe, however this was not the case as the light was still working when switched on. A technician removed the entire fog light fitting on the spot and it was found that someone working on my vehicle had broken the clips that hold the glob in place and attempted a pathetic temporary repair job to the part wherein "soft sealer" or "butyl tape" was used to secure the globe in place which looked fine and fit for use to the naked eye.

What the dishonest and ********* person did not take into account was that the butyl tape would melt under the heat of the globe, causing the globe to drop inside of the fog light and melt it away, I was honestly looking at turning a blind eye at this and more importantly at the fact that this could have caused my vehicle to catch fire and burn down, however recent events have led me to this post, and more importantly contacting my insurance aswell as my attorney

In light of the multiple times I have been back and forth for my vehicle to be brought back to spec, it is clear that I have been more than accommodating and patient throughout this process and have looked past the inconvenience entirely. One of the main things that were noted when taking delivery of my vehicle for the second time was that the wheel caps were damaged by SMG ARC Durban at some point during the initial repairs (I have pictures of before and after), after deliberation with their Customer Relations Manager Renisha Singh whom has been ignoring my emails until I had to email another manager for attention, the workshop manager Shahid Ally refuses to replace or even compensate me for the caps that were damaged by their establishment.

This is the regard that SMG ARC Durban has for the property of others in which they are entrusted with.