D&M Budget Camper Van

Mar 5th, 2017

The guy managing the store really is the nicest person. He let us stay in his house for 3 days. He bought food for us and even shower cream. We feel like he really cars... I mean cares. In those three days they fixed the car so that we can leave tonight or tomorrow morning. The car itself looks really nice. Good engine, no rust on the important spots. Timing belt looks all right and so on. So far I have to say i can not imagine a better place to buy my car for NZ. Five stars!
Aug 26th, 2016

We purchased a van for $4750 off these guys (they had replaced a bunch of parts and said it was in the best mechanical condition of what they had) and brought it back several times within the first week. We used it very lightly as a daily driver for a month and it ran okay, but within 2 hours of starting our big trip it was overheating on the side of the road. We had to have a thermostat put in as there wasn't one, replace the cooling fan and a leaky hose. It was a bit better but still overheating on hills, and after threatening the dealer with legal action they paid for the thermostat. We didn't want to cancel our trip after so much planning, but couldn't afford further repairs when nobody knew the exact issue. 2 months later we get towed back to Auckland and are told that the radiator is leaking because the dealer didn't reattach it properly after removing it for cleaning, and there's a major oil leak somewhere in the engine. After looking at the 'Sales agreement' we signed after paying for our van and talking to the dealer, we find they are refusing to consider any compensation under the CGA because it was park-to-sell and therefore a private sale. D&M sell cars they own AND park-to-sell vehicles, but there is no way to tell the difference when you go to buy one. They are listed as the supplier on the CIN and the owner will make statements like "I can't give you a better discount, I've spent too much money fixing this up!" The catch for them is that if they are heavily involved in the sale of a park-to-sell vehicle, it is NOT a private sale and you have the same rights as if you are buying it directly off them. We went through the motor vehicle disputes tribunal and got a grand and a bit back from D&M to get the van repaired. I know other customers of theirs currently going through the same process, and others still that are unable to because they have to leave the country.
Aug 26th, 2016

Dodgy dealer. Buyers beware. In January of 2016 I purchased a 1991 Hilux Surf SSR Ltd from D&M. When I took it for a test drive, I commented to the salesman who accompanied me that it felt a bit sluggish when steering and it the brakes were not great. I was assured that the symptoms I described were nothing to worry about as it was just how 4x4's handled on the road. Never having owned one before, I naively believed him. The salesman showed me that the electric windows worked and assured me that all other electrics worked. Once again, I believed him when I should not have. After I had agreed to the purchase of the 4x4, the salesman made a comment about rust on the doors and said that he "knew a guy who could fix it for $175" if I wanted. I didnt think much of it as the rust was not near the hinges so not important. In the weeks and months after my purchase, I noted the following faults with the vehicle: 1. The air conditioning did not work and still does not work after professional attempt to fix. 2. The electric wing mirrors did not work 3. The sunroof switch did not work 4. The sunroof had been sealed shut with silicone sealant to stop a leak 5. The air blower only worked on high as the blower resistor was fried 6. The stereo was not correctly installed and the wires connecting it had been twisted together but no safe connection made. It would shock me from time to time. 7. The internal lights did not work 8. The rear passenger windows derailed from the motor when put down 9. During the WOF inspection, substantial body rust was identified near the rear door hinge which needed to be remedied before I got my WOF. 10. Poor breaking. Once assessed by a mechanic it was identified that the break booster needed replacing. 11. A hole in the rear section of the exhaust was identified by the WOF centre. The rear section had to be replaced. 12. The bottom rail for the electric motor of the rear window for the back door has disintegrated from rust meaning that the window falls out of place. 13. A break imbalance was identified by the WOF centre. A further mechanic inspection identified that both the front break rotors needed replacing, that the rear break drums were out of shape and that the hydraulic break pistons had seized from rust. These all needed replacing before I could obtain a WOF. 14. During a WOF inspection, a large hole was identified in the front cross-member of the chassis. This had to be repaired before a new WOF could be obtained. The seller has managed to get away from their obligations under the Consumer Guarantees Act by stating that he is a private seller! Do not trust this seller
Jul 6th, 2016