DONT BUY TATA

Tue, 01 May 2007 21:56:20 +0200

I would like to share my story of the whole experience I have had with my newly purchased Tata.

I exchanged my Ford Fiesta for the Tata Indica TDi DLX (henceforth referred to as ‘the vehicle’) at the TATA Oostenberg branch (Kraaifontein).

Upon purchase I was informed that the vehicle in question (Tata Indica) had already been serviced and that there was no need to worry about it. First problem I found after receiving it, was that the vehicle was still filthy inside and there was an unpleasant dank smell about.

Second issue came into being when this very same sales agent phoned me regarding an outstanding amount of ZAR 2500.00 on the Ford Fiesta that was trades in for the Tata. Two days later I received another phone call from said sales agent where the amount had suddenly been raised to ZAR 7500.00!!!

The Manager of TATA Oostenberg made an appointment with me for that Tuesday evening at 19:00pm, the same day my Lawyer sent a letter to the branch. In turn, this Manager never showed up for his appointment. The letter from the lawyer they received that day will be available at Tata Oostenberg.

I discovered the 3rd issue when I had an appointment in a town called Piketberg. Whilst driving the engine suddenly cut out at 142kmph. I immediately phoned Tata about it and I was assured that what I experienced was normal and that it was only the govener that had to be set, but the problem persisted and eventually got even worse to the point where it cuts out between 120-142kmph.

I took the vehicle in for its first service by me, (The vehicles Second Service altogether) but when I handed in the service book at the Service Centre Brackenfell, (Henceforth referred to as ‘the Centre’) the Centre asked ME where the stamp for the first service is?! As I did not own the vehicle when it was due for its 1st service, I don’t understand how they could even ask me that question! I expected that information to already be there so I never even noticed it wasn’t until they asked me.

At the Centre I asked them to please take care of the back window washer that didn’t work, also the Rust! under the back window and the radio antenna that also doesn’t pick up very well, And most importantly the faulty govener.

When I received the vehicle and its book back there was suddenly two stamps in for both services done. So I’m not even sure if the vehicle ever had its first service or not. The back window washer still didn’t work, the rust was still there and the radio antenna was still not working properly, and the governer still not fixed.

Several days later I received a call to bring the vehicle to the Centre as the people from India, who can fix the problem, are there and they would like to see my car. Upon their return I was told not to worry as they only had to install the new software on the computer and plug in my car to reset the govener.

Yet Another week passed before they tried to reset it. They had the vehicle for several days and supplied me once again with a different vehicle to use while they were busy, however, once again they could not fix it and once again returned my vehicle to me.

A couple of days later the situation really deteriorated as the vehicle was now cutting out at 60kmph! It happened three times while I was in a turn and as the vehicle has power steering nearly cost me my life as it is uncontrollable when it suddenly cuts out.

By the time I got to the Centre that morning there was already smoke coming out of the engine!!

Then the vehicle over-heated, the needle jumped into the red and the red light came on. Immediately I pulled over and phoned Tata. They tell me that there is Nothing they can do for me!!

After starting the vehicle I noticed it didn’t sound right at all but as there was nothing they could do, I had to get home so I started on my way back. About 5km en route back to town I heard a terrible bang and pulled off the freeway with a trail of oil to a halt.

On the way home I tested the back window washer, which didn’t work, so I phoned the Centre, spoke to the Manager, who told me that He Personally Fixed it and it works. (05.10.2006) I took it back to them after having emptied 4litres of water through the washer system, expecting them to explain to me how it works as I am obviously doing something wrong if they say it works but there still isn’t water coming through. They tested it in front of me and eventually admitted that it doesn’t work. He lifted the hood to take a look at it, but I didn’t have any time to sit and wait for them again as I was already a month late for most of my appointments because of their negligence.

AND THE PLOT THICKENS:

The vechile now went back for it's 3rd engine replacement. But this time with the help of a lawyer. Anybody who has a storie about there TATA Indica TDi DLX please send me the storie to gb@nlt.co.za I would like to bring all these stories up in court.

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