Jaguar Defender owner frustrated after 13 repairs in three years

JAGUAR Land Rover says it cannot be held responsible for repairs to a R1.633 million Jaguar Defender which has apparently been returned at least thirteen times over a three-year period due to recurring failures.

- NICOLA DANIELS

The consumer's attorney, Trudie Broekmann said what should have been a dream purchase of a 4x4 utility vehicle designed for travel on bumpy, wet, muddy and uneven roads and advertised as being able to “tackle up to 900 MM of water’, quickly turned into a nightmare for her client.

“During May 2025, our client drove through a puddle of mud on the road, while in Koster in the North-West Province. Shortly thereafter, the vehicle’s exhaust system started releasing excessive smoke, the vehicle went into limp mode and an ‘exhaust filter full’ warning light started flashing.

“As a result, the vehicle had to be towed and taken to the dealership for repairs, where it was discovered that there was a buildup of soot in the vehicle’s Diesel Particulate Filter (“DPF”) and that the vehicle's turbo as well as other components were damaged.