Hi Mabs.

I drive a fully paid 2015 car, and as my only vehicle, I make sure it is well-maintained with regular servicing. About three months ago, my brakes started making screeching noises whenever I came to a stop. It wasn’t very comfortable, especially since the car was still under service. I took it to the dealership immediately, and I was told the breaks were fine. They just lubricated them and the noise was gone. However, the screeching noise returned a few days later. After a month of back and forth, I was unhappy and decided to change the dealership where I service my car.

Last week, the car was due for a major service, so I booked it at a new place I found online. It was a big mistake! The car came back dirty, and I wasn’t shown what had been replaced. To make matters worse, they charged me a steep R5700 and couldn’t provide a breakdown of the charges. The brakes still screech, and now the ABS warning light has come on. The service centre can’t explain what happened and has been condescending, sending me from pillar to post when I ask for answers. I’m furious and feel like I’ve been treated unfairly because I’m a woman. What are my rights as a consumer, and where can I report this?

Mabs Answers

I am so sorry that you had to go through such a deplorable experience, and that women motorists in this country still receive poor service simply because of their gender. The industry needs to hire more women in their workshops to level the playing field and ensure that every motorist receives quality service.

However, I also recognise that this poor attitude is not universal. I recommend starting by filing an official complaint with the service centre. If it’s a chain, provide full details, and if you remember the names of the individuals involved, don’t hesitate to name and shame them.

Once you’ve done that, contact the Motor Industry Ombudsman of South Africa (www.miosa.co.za) and share your experience. Their website provides guidelines on the information required when lodging a complaint. You can also email them at info@miosa.co.za for more details. Best of luck, and please keep us updated on how it goes.