ComplaintsforSouthside Equipment Sales Ltd.

• Initial Complaint

  11/01/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Bought a truck from southside in october, with engine issues that where not caught before sale, truck gave trouble as soon as it left the lot, with obvious evidence that it was from previous engine failure, dealership will not stand behind what they sell or help in any means, after inquiring at various other truck dealerships of the situation and learning they cover part of the costs in a major issue like this I am very disappointed in the service from this dealership.

  Business response

  23/01/2023

  This customer did purchase a truck in early October from ** and at that time there was absolutely no indication of any mechanical issues with this unit. He did in fact have an issue once truck left our lot. Which was related to the air conditioning and was an air conditioning condenser that failed on his trip home, which we did in fact cover the cost for him. 
  
  

  To conclude we were not given any opportunity to troubleshoot, diagnose or inspect the unit that was mobile and was allegedly consuming oil, but instead we received a request for us to pay to rebuild an engine in a preowned vehicle that we sold without warranty and had half a million kms on it and was running and operating with no apparent issues at time of sale. The customer had taken it upon himself to tear engine all apart and conduct a complete rebuild. Again, he did not provide us with any documentation of engine failure whatsoever. We find this vary unfair and it to be an unrealistic request to be asked to pay for said repairs. We did offer that we could source out parts as we have stronger buying power then an individual and could have saved him money. 

  Furthermore, before purchase the customer was given every opportunity to test drive and inspect the unit. He was fully aware at the time of sale that the unit would be sold with no warranty, he also signed off on the bill of sale that clearly states that the vehicle comes with no warranty. During the process of this sale as in any sale we are more then transparent with our customers regarding the units we sell. 

  We wish him all the best going forward but we can no longer entertain this issue. 

  Customer response

  25/01/2023

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  As a journeyman red seal heavy duty mechanic, I made the decision to repair the truck as it had to return to work. If Southside had performed the full service correctly it would have been clear at the time of purchase that the engine internals were in poor condition. The truck purchased Oct 21st, went to work until Nov 8th, the dealer was notified Nov 19th of excessive engine oil consumption, After replacing a clogged CCV that was not changed at Southside. It was clear that it had excessive crankcase pressure. Dec 5th, I spoke with ******* and *** on the phone. After zero improvement from the phone diagnosis, I spoke with ******* on the 15th of December. ******* "did not know what to suggest", she suggested selling the truck. After dealing with Southside's poor mechanical knowledge. I had no choice but to take matters into my own hands. I had to remove the head and purchase a new one as it was non-repairable, alongside various other  parts. With the engine apart it was clear that oil consumption was from the extensive engine damage prior to the sale. I had the opportunity to discuss the issue with *** and ******* Dec 22nd. Showing *** the engine failure and requesting pictures of the internal engine damage. Southside stated it was clear that this truck had issues before the sale. As Southside is not taking any responsibility for their sale of a truck with engine damage, I had no choice but to repair it. Southside had reasonable opportunities to diagnose and make these issues right, as I made every effort possible to work with them. After the rebuild I reached out to a certified CAT tech and got the *** scanned like I asked southside to do, I was advised that the truck was not what Southside disclosed in the sale. After finding this evidence I have no hesitation to further pursue legal actions and pass this back to my lawyer who suggested this method before he proceeds further.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************

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