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NEVER WOULD I EVER PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM SUTHERLAND MAZDA I WAS SOLD A DEMO MODEL WITH NO DISCLOSURE OF 7 PANELS BEING RESPRAYED AND PANEL REPAIR TO THE BONNET

NEVER WILL I EVER PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM SUTHERLAND MAZDA. MY ADVICE ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM AS FAR AS YOU CAN FROM SUTHERLAND MAZDA

I purchased a demonstration model Mazda 3 Touring sedan from Sutherland Mazda, sold to me as near new with factory quality and low kilometres. The salesperson, Rajan Madhukar, presented it in this way.

After a short 5.5 years, the paint on the bonnet completely failed despite having paid extra with Sutherland Mazda for full paint protection. Independent inspections by two smash repair/finishing professionals confirmed the vehicle had undergone significant prior repairs: panel work to the bonnet and resprays on seven panels. They diagnosed the paint failure as clear coat failure due to a substandard/defective respray. Please note I have not undertaken any such repairs since the purchase of my vehicle and have continuously held comprehensive car insurance.

When I raised this with Sutherland Mazda, they claimed to have no record of such repairs. Mazda Australia recommended a paint inspection at the dealership (at an anticipated cost of $180), which was performed by a mechanic with no apparent specialised training in paint analysis. Their report noted respray and clear coat fading and the service manager Mr Iain McLean attributed it to external influences/poor maintenance and recommended a buff/polish—contrary to my private experts' advice, who advised a buff would further damage the clear coat.

I sought further opinions, including from a leading Australian coatings expert, who independently confirmed a defective respray as the cause.

Again Mr Iain Sinclair dismissed the specialists' findings, insisting on poor maintenance/external factors based on his "expert opinion" despite admitting no formal training in paint analysis. I felt his response was dismissive, intimidating, and condescending.

When I asked Dealer Principal Armando Penefiel for the vehicle's internal history and if my vehicle had been used as a staff drive or customer service loan vehicle, he refused to respond. When I questioned if it was possible that a staff member or customer could have conducted the repairs should the pre-sale inspection have detected these repairs prior to my purchase, again he provided no answers, citing privacy laws for some queries and simply stating no records existed for repairs. Requests for insurance claims history went unanswered.

Iain McLean (Service Manager) refused to investigate the respray's origin, stating it would take "more than 5 minutes" and that he would "waste no more time on me."

He also declined to specify resprayed panels from their inspection, directing me to my own experts.

As a single parent caring for an adult child with complex disabilities, I am exhausted by this process. I trusted the dealership to act with integrity—especially for a demo model sold as near-new—but feel completely misled about the vehicle's condition and history.

I no longer trust Sutherland Mazda or its management for any services or purchases. Mazda Australia has been unhelpful in holding the dealership accountable.

If purchasing a Demo or 2nd hand vehicle from Sutherland Mazda I strongly suggest a presale inspection. I wish I had not been so naive and trusting.