Tygerberg Multifranchise car turns out to be a lemon: iLIVE

I bought a brand new Zotye Nomad I 1.3 SUV for R120 000.00 from Tygerberg Multifranchise in Durban Road Bellville in May 2010. Within the first month of ownership the following faults where noted and brought under the attention of the dealer principle, sales manager and franchise director.

The differential, gearbox and both front and rear suspension was extremely noisy. One Sunday morning while washing and vacuuming the vehicle I noticed some rust on the left front door sill.

The vehicle was back in their workshop numerous times, and they had the rust repaired. After fighting with the franchise director, dealer principle and workshop manager for seven months, they eventually agreed to replace this faulty unit with a “new” one.

We took delivery of the second unit in December of 2010, and within a couple of days picked up the following faults. Once again, the gearbox, differential, front and rear suspension was extremely noisy, the air conditioning unit was totally ineffective and could not cool down the vehicle as it is indented to do.

There are noises coming from below the dash board, that they attended to a couple of times, with no resolve.

I have taken up the issue with the MIO (motor industry ombud) and await a final decision from both the dealer/importer and the MIO.

Since then, the vehicle has been back to their workshop to have the clutch replaced, worked on the front and rear suspension, assessed the air conditioner and replaced both the gearbox and differential.

Even after the replacement of the gearbox and differential it still makes the same noises. The suspension still makes excessive noises, as though the vehicle has excessively high mileage with worn components.

I had the differential and gearbox assessed by an independent specialist, Mayfair gearbox and differential in Killarney Gardens, they confirmed that both these items are faulty and the noises are not normal.

I took the vehicle to an independent air conditioner specialist and they tested the air conditioner system. It too does not function properly. The minimum temperature was tested at 13 degrees Celsius, if the system falls within normal specifications, it should bring it down to approx 10 degrees Celsius.

I have reached my wits end, and don’t know what to do anymore!

See the attached e mails from both the MIO and the Gearbox and differential specialists

Good day

The vehicle was tested by my Production manager  and has confirmed the  gearbox as well as the differential are noisy and does need attention.

The hum from the diff and the wine from gear box are definitely not within specification.

Regards

Johan King

General Manager

MayfairGearbox Cape Town PTY(Ltd)

Unit 17 C  Killarney Ave

Killarney Gardens

Good Morning Gentlemen,

You are kindly referred to the above and the complaint lodged with this office by Mr van der Walt regarding the problems he is experiencing with his vehicle.

You are also referred to an e-mail dated 15 August 2011 in which is mentioned that the diff noise and suspension are characteristics of this type of vehicle.

In for this office to motivate an acceptable response to Mr van der Walt, please furnish this office with details and owners of similar vehicle that experience the same characteristics.

You are also referred Section 53 1 (a) (ii) of the Consumer Protection Act ;

“ any characteristics of the goods or components that renders the goods or components less useful, practicable or safe than persons generally would be reasonably entitled to expect in the circumstances” is classified as a defect. The Act further states in Section 55 (b) that the consumer has a right to received goods that are of good quality, in good working order and free of any defects.

With the number repairs already having been carried out on this vehicle, Section 56 (3) will apply.

Your responses to the above please.

Regards

Coen Gouws

Motor Industry Ombudsman