Mercedes-Benz faces lawsuit as woman alleges car condition worsened post-repair
A woman is embroiled in a R400,000 legal dispute with a Mercedes-Benz dealership after her vehicle allegedly deteriorated following repairs. The case has reached an appeal court, raising questions about remote testimony from an expert witness.
A woman has filed a lawsuit against Mercedes-Benz for R400,000, claiming that the condition of her Mercedes-Benz GLC 220d worsened after it was repaired at Garden City Motors in Mpumalanga. The dispute began in April 2019 when the car broke down and was towed to the dealership for repairs. The woman, however, believed that the vehicle's condition had deteriorated post-repair.
She sought a second opinion from experts, who confirmed her concerns. Consequently, she demanded compensation from the dealership, which disputed liability. The case was initially heard in the Mbombela Regional Court in August 2020, with the woman and her expert giving testimony in February 2022. However, the trial was postponed indefinitely due to the dealership's request to consult before cross-examining the expert, who had since relocated to Germany and could not return to South Africa in person.
In September 2025, the magistrate granted permission for the expert to testify via an audiovisual link, but the dealership appealed this decision, arguing that it would prejudice its ability to effectively cross-examine the expert. The court dismissed the appeal, ordering the dealership to pay the costs of the appeal.
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