A Windsor, Ont., man says all he can do is watch his luxury car’s condition decline on the dealer’s lot while he waits for a part that can fix it.
Pushkar Kapil brought his 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 in to Mercedes Benz Overseas Motors on Tecumseh Road East to get fixed in April of 2023 after being told the vehicle was subject to a recall, but still hasn’t returned home with it.
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Kapil said that he was provided with a different Mercedes vehicle in the beginning but more recently, he was given a rental vehicle that was covered by the manufacturer — a 2022 Hyundai Venue.
“It’s not even, like nearly … close to the car which I used to drive,” he said.
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George Iny, director of the Automobile Protection Association, said that Kapil is lucky to among those receiving a free replacement vehicle, as many who are waiting for parts do not have that luxury.
“There’s good reasons not to leave a vehicle outdoors that long and there is deterioration,” he said. “I might also add that the Venue is the cheapest car in the Hyundai lineup.”
“He’s paying a Mercedes price to drive a Hyundai. That’s OK when your car is in for a month or two — at nine months, you should be asking yourself, should they be making you whole, at least, for part of the overpayment you’re making?”
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One way out of the situation would be to find the part on your own, he said.
“If it’s not available new, look for it in the aftermarket,” he said. “The dealer won’t do it, but you can do it. That might mean… sourcing the part as a used part… it would be on your dime.”