Buhle Z

STAY AWAY: Technical Incompetence and Predatory Pricing at CARtime Hillcrest

If you value your vehicle—or your safety—stay as far away from CARtime Hillcrest as possible. I have spent nearly R9,000 at this branch since December for a Major Service and a cooling system overhaul. You would expect that level of loyalty to buy you at least a modicum of professional respect. Instead, I was met with gross technical negligence and a management team that hides behind silence when caught out. After their "overhaul," my engine light came on. It turns out their technicians failed to perform the most basic task: properly seating a coolant sensor connector. On a 1.0 EcoBoost engine, a cooling fault isn't just a minor "glitch"—it’s a recipe for a catastrophic engine meltdown. When I flagged this, CARtime Hillcrest’s response was predatory. Instead of a courtesy check to verify their own work, they tried to squeeze another R695 out of me for a diagnostic. When I took it elsewhere and proved the fault was their own workmanship oversight, they didn't apologise. Instead, they interrogated me over the phone, made me feel attacked, and have now ghosted me for over a week. It is pathetic that a franchise would choose to lose a high-value, repeat customer and risk their professional reputation over a R700 credit. Their silence speaks volumes: they are happy to take your money, but they lack the integrity to stand by their work. I will never set foot in this establishment again. To the Hillcrest community: there are mechanics in this area who actually take pride in their craft, CARtime Hillcrest is clearly not one of them.