I have placed this thread here rather than in the Bad Service section as I am not using this platform to have a go at Automark, I am rather hoping that through my experience I can save someone else the heartache.
My first encounter was with PTA North Automark when I bought the Vigo D4D and shortly thereafter had to replace the clutch at my own cost after Automark replaced a noisy bearing via a 3rd party workshop, their specialists as they told me. Long story short, they damaged the oil seal on the crank shaft witch contaminated the clutch plate. So I had to do a clutch kit at the cost of R6000 (OEM) with discount. Let me tell you, not a lekker job if jou dont have a 4 post.
And now I have had a very bad experience at NTT Delmas Automark. I was so exited about the cruiser that I was blind to some minor details that at the end of the day cost me.
Lets start;
1. The delivery of the cruiser was way past the promised 1pm and arrived 6pm, according to NTT they were running late on the smash and grab. That Cost me R5000. But the fact is the cruiser had smash and grab and they never replaced it. I took a couple of picks the first time I saw the van and on that picks I can see distinct scratches and scuffs on the smash and grab. After lots of emails I had no response.
2. By friend who works in the insurance industry made me aware of the fact that the windscreen is a cheap fong kong that costs about R300 compared to a R3000 for OEM or Shatterprufe. This windscreen was not even the right size, and with the first rainfall water poured in. So I made a quick call to PG glass, when they arrived at my house they simply pushed the windscreen out by hand! No tools.
Also sent emails to NTT but at the end of the day I had to fit the bill.
3. One Saturday after taking delivery of the cruiser I washed it and then got to work on the dual battery system. I also checked the oil and opened the air filter box :wth: :wth: :wth: Unfortunately I did not take a photo, but what I found was shocking, the previous owner must have waded through very deep water as the air filter box was full of mud! I scraped it out by hand and luckily the mud did not reach the intake. So how was that missed after Automark's 27 point or 100 point check and a service as I was told by NTT
4. This must me related to the deep water crossing as I already replaced the aircon bearing and the tension bearing, and will have to check out the alternator also. The cruiser is only on 50 000km. Also at my cost.
5. I should have done a full service as the past couple of days the van is very sluggish and sometimes even starved. So I ordered a diesel filter, and as I thought the filter was very dirty. Confirming that this van was not serviced as I was told. In fact I have to check the service manual as I think it was stamped.
6. So there will be no rest this weekend, I am going to order an oil filter and oil, and while I am at it drain the diffs and replace the oil.
Most of this could have been spotted on the day I saw the van at the dealer. So don't make my mistakes and do the checks!
