" Too much trouble to be a coincidence!
To say it with less words: just don’t do it! Don’t bye a car at Elements. It sounds like a carefree package but it cost me a lot of money, trouble, constant fear that the car would break down and a lot of time because the car did break down several times. In the end I lost about 9500 dollar… and a lot of time, fun in driving and the opportunity to see parts of New Zealand I planned to see.
I used the pre-buy option, so that I would find a safe and reliable car waiting for me after my arrival in Auckland. I bought a middle sized Campervan, self-contained with an extended guarantee option (all for some 7000 dollar). After my arrival, they wanted to give me a non-self-contained van. Something went wrong with their booking process. They offered me a rental car for 10 days so that I could get out of town and come back to pick up a self-contained van.
The first self-contained van they sold me smelt of petrol, became very hot inside and touching the metal feet of the installed table was impossible because it was burning hot. Close to Coromandel the engine light went on and the temperature of the engine was in the red area (too hot). I called Elements and they arranged a pick up for me and the van.
Back in Auckland they paid for a night-stay at a hostel and offered me another van.
For the ones who haven’t had enough just yet: the real trouble just began. What I thought to be half-okay was the tire change I had to do 3 weeks after I bought the car. After 7 weeks I had to change the battery ‘cause the car was not starting anymore. At the same time the car power socket needed changing. The tires and battery wasn’t covered by the extended guarantee. And it took a long call and discussion so that Elements would pay for the power socket.
10 weeks into my travelling I tried to drive up a hill and the engine became too hot again; red lights flashing, smoke and brown fluid were coming out of the bonnet. Elements told me I had to come back to Auckalnd to let them do the repair. The good thing about the extended guarantee was that Elements coverd for the costs of the repair, the bad thing was; I paid for the petrol back to Auckland, no refund for my already booked ferry travel, and the voucher of 35 dollars for a night in the hostel from elements didn’t cover the real costs of the accommodation.
On the South Island the van wouldn’t take gas anymore; no movement while I pressed the gas pedal. A sudden and very loud bang and the van came to a hold. I managed to get it to the next mechanic. Elements was angry that I brought the car to the next mechanic – because they wanted to decide which mechanic should have a look at the Van. After they decided that another mechanic in the area should have a look at the van, I had to pay the cost of the towing service. Elements had been in contact with the mechanics who had a look at the Van and I had the impression that things was not right. In the end, the car was still a little shaky when it came out of the mechanics shop. In order to find out what the problem was they had to check and change the petrol pump and some other stuff. Elements refuse to pay for all the work the mechanic did before he found out the real problem and repaired it. Crazy to refuse to pay for the work that needed to be done in order to find the real problem – even though this work was necessary and I had the extended guarantee.
In the end, some couple of days before the ectended guarantee came to an end the van broke down again and was just moving very slowly with a constant heavy shaking. I brought it to the mechanics again but until they found out that some valves above the engine were leaking and the Van had a massive engine problem, the time of the extended guarantee was up and Elements refuse to pay for the repair. The mechanic told me that this engine problem had been there for a long time.
So if you value your time and money and if you would like to be able to stick to your travel plans and see as much of New Zealnd as possible, I wouldn't recommend to buy a car from Elements. "
25 July 2023
Anynomous
" I was in a total dramaqueenmode because my flight fell through. These guys gave me great advice on the camper, quick service a reasonable price and even made me laugh. Would definitely recommend their service!! They have coffee while you wait or enjoy some lunch at the neighbours Huckleberry "
29 May 2023
Anynomous
" I recently purchased a van from these guys and the service was really great! Really professional but in a fun and friendly environment. The vehicle itself is an awesome simple but effective self contained camper which really suits all my needs. I would 100% recommend these guys to anyone I know. Thanks so much!!! "
Anynomous
" Too much trouble to be a coincidence!
25 July 2023To say it with less words: just don’t do it! Don’t bye a car at Elements. It sounds like a carefree package but it cost me a lot of money, trouble, constant fear that the car would break down and a lot of time because the car did break down several times. In the end I lost about 9500 dollar… and a lot of time, fun in driving and the opportunity to see parts of New Zealand I planned to see.
I used the pre-buy option, so that I would find a safe and reliable car waiting for me after my arrival in Auckland. I bought a middle sized Campervan, self-contained with an extended guarantee option (all for some 7000 dollar). After my arrival, they wanted to give me a non-self-contained van. Something went wrong with their booking process. They offered me a rental car for 10 days so that I could get out of town and come back to pick up a self-contained van.
The first self-contained van they sold me smelt of petrol, became very hot inside and touching the metal feet of the installed table was impossible because it was burning hot. Close to Coromandel the engine light went on and the temperature of the engine was in the red area (too hot). I called Elements and they arranged a pick up for me and the van.
Back in Auckland they paid for a night-stay at a hostel and offered me another van.
For the ones who haven’t had enough just yet: the real trouble just began. What I thought to be half-okay was the tire change I had to do 3 weeks after I bought the car. After 7 weeks I had to change the battery ‘cause the car was not starting anymore. At the same time the car power socket needed changing. The tires and battery wasn’t covered by the extended guarantee. And it took a long call and discussion so that Elements would pay for the power socket.
10 weeks into my travelling I tried to drive up a hill and the engine became too hot again; red lights flashing, smoke and brown fluid were coming out of the bonnet. Elements told me I had to come back to Auckalnd to let them do the repair. The good thing about the extended guarantee was that Elements coverd for the costs of the repair, the bad thing was; I paid for the petrol back to Auckland, no refund for my already booked ferry travel, and the voucher of 35 dollars for a night in the hostel from elements didn’t cover the real costs of the accommodation.
On the South Island the van wouldn’t take gas anymore; no movement while I pressed the gas pedal. A sudden and very loud bang and the van came to a hold. I managed to get it to the next mechanic. Elements was angry that I brought the car to the next mechanic – because they wanted to decide which mechanic should have a look at the Van. After they decided that another mechanic in the area should have a look at the van, I had to pay the cost of the towing service. Elements had been in contact with the mechanics who had a look at the Van and I had the impression that things was not right. In the end, the car was still a little shaky when it came out of the mechanics shop. In order to find out what the problem was they had to check and change the petrol pump and some other stuff. Elements refuse to pay for all the work the mechanic did before he found out the real problem and repaired it. Crazy to refuse to pay for the work that needed to be done in order to find the real problem – even though this work was necessary and I had the extended guarantee.
In the end, some couple of days before the ectended guarantee came to an end the van broke down again and was just moving very slowly with a constant heavy shaking. I brought it to the mechanics again but until they found out that some valves above the engine were leaking and the Van had a massive engine problem, the time of the extended guarantee was up and Elements refuse to pay for the repair. The mechanic told me that this engine problem had been there for a long time.
So if you value your time and money and if you would like to be able to stick to your travel plans and see as much of New Zealnd as possible, I wouldn't recommend to buy a car from Elements. "
Anynomous
" I was in a total dramaqueenmode because my flight fell through. These guys gave me great advice on the camper, quick service a reasonable price and even made me laugh. Would definitely recommend their service!! They have coffee while you wait or enjoy some lunch at the neighbours Huckleberry "
29 May 2023Anynomous
" I recently purchased a van from these guys and the service was really great! Really professional but in a fun and friendly environment. The vehicle itself is an awesome simple but effective self contained camper which really suits all my needs. I would 100% recommend these guys to anyone I know. Thanks so much!!! "
10 October 2023