ComplaintsforCJ Auto Sales

• Initial Complaint

  08/05/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I purchased a 2017 Chevrolet Sonic LS on 7/22/2024 for $6642.25. Before doing so, I asked to take the vehicle to a nearby mechanic for a diagnostic test. I was told that they would not allow it. However, they said I could bring a mechanic to their lot for an inspection of the car. However, with no way to raise the car up in order to allow a mechanic to view the underside of the vehicle for oil leaks or other issues, I decided to purchase the car and take it to a qualified mechanic near my home. After doing so, I was told that this car had a number of serious issues. The mechanic recommended taking the car back and canceling the sale. I called CJ Auto Sales and spoke with *****. He refused to believe the individual issues found by the mechanic and was not willing to offer any type of assistance. My position is that I should have been allowed to have this car inspected prior to the purchase. Had that happened, I would not have repairs ($3258.91) costing nearly half of the amount paid for the vehicle.

  Business response

  08/12/2024

  Complaint ID #********
  08/12/2024
  
  
  Thanks for the correspondence.  It's sad to hear about the problems with your 2017 Chevrolet Sonic, with that being said it's a 7 years old vehicle.

  
  ******* came to dealership and inspected the vehicle himself along with a test drive.  He found no problems with the vehicle or any leaks, nor did anyone else who test drove the vehicle.  He asked if we could hold the vehicle for a couple weeks and we let him know that CJ Auto Sales does not do holds.

  
  He did ask about taking the vehicle to be inspected and we said it had to be onsite, his location for inspection is approximately 100 miles away round trip. He states in his complaint that if he brought a mobile mechanic, they would have no way to check for leaks as they can't get under the vehicle.  This is simply not true as most of the mechanics that come to do inspections, **** the car up and inspect under the vehicle. Since ******* came back days later to purchase the vehicle, he had plenty of time to call and ascertain the abilities of a mobile mechanic but chose not to do so.  In addition, he declined a 2-day contract cancellation option.

  
  CJ Auto Sales requires test drives to purchase a vehicle to make sure the customer gets time in the vehicle and assures they know and like what they are purchasing.  We recommend to customers to have the vehicle inspected on site with a mechanic of their choice to verify the mechanicals.  Before vehicles come to the lot, CJ Auto Sales sends them to an independent qualified mechanic for inspection where no issues where found.  In addition, ******* stated that he has no symptoms of any of the conditions that his mechanic reported.  His mechanic stated that it had both water and oil leaks.  But when I asked ******* if he saw any oil leaks or water under his car, he said no.  He also stated that there was no consumption of water or oil.  More-over no issue with the performance of the vehicle. I stated he might want to get a second opinion, but he declined and stated that he trusted this shop.

  
  From CJ Auto Sales perspective, the vehicle was inspected with no issues prior to delivery. The customer reported no issues with the vehicle in any way (leaks or performance).  The issues being brought forward are not supported by the actual vehicle.  In addition, ******* acknowledges he purchase the vehicle AS-IS No Warranty and was in writing on three different documents. The AS-IS agreement states the following:  If the vehicle proves defective after purchase, the buyer and not the dealer, distributor or retailer assumes the entire cost of all necessary servicing or repair.

  
  Since ******* reported this issue over a week after purchase and stated the vehicle showed no signs of issues CJ Auto Sales will not be giving assistance.
  

  
  

  Customer response

  08/12/2024

  I am rejecting this response because: The response from ***** at CJ Auto Sales to my complaint is unsatisfactory.  He seems to indicate that problems arise in a vehicle that is 7 years old.  While that is certainly true, no one expects a vehicle to require nearly half the cost of the purchase price in repairs.  ***** states that a local qualified mechanic found no issues with this vehicle upon its arrival.  Unless his mechanic had blinders on, several issues should have been easily identified.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              *  Oil was mixed with antifreeze inside the coolant reservoir.  
  *  The oil cooler is leaking oil externally and running down onto the A/C compressor.  
  *  Oil is dripping from a PCV hose and into the throttle body.  
  *  The thermostat/water outlet on the back side of the cylinder block is leaking.  
  *  The heater hose connection is discolored from the plastic rotting.  
  *  The belt drive is slipping as the tensioner has excessive amount of movement.  
  *  A/C compressor is not working efficiently and possibly starting to seize. 
  
  
  Notably, I had asked to take the vehicle for an inspection but was told that it was not allowed.  Contrary to the seller's response to my complaint, my intention was to take the vehicle to a nearby auto mechanic in *********, the city where the car was being sold, not to a shop 50 miles away.  ***** points out that I declined a 2-day contract cancellation option.  Yes, that's true, because purchasing that option would have cost an additional $150, with a required "restocking fee" of $350 upon returning the vehicle.  After explaining the issues found by the automotive shop, ***** stated that it was his belief that they were trying to make money on unnecessary repairs (even though they recommended taking the car back to where it was purchased).  I asked ***** whether he would feel more certain if I took it to another diagnostic center for a second opinion.  His answer was "no".  Since bringing the car home, I have only driven it to the shop where it was inspected and back.  With the issues it has, I wouldn't want to drive it and possibly do more damage to the engine.  At this point, I am waiting to save up enough money for the necessary repairs.  
  
  
  I am willing to have the car repaired.  However, in fairness, I am requesting $500 from CJ Auto Sales to go toward the necessary repairs.    
  

  Business response

  08/18/2024

  Complaint ID #********
  08/18/2024
  
  
  I find the most honest description about a vehicle comes the first time we talk. *******'s mechanic stated a lot of possibilities.  The facts are that when inspected here by an independent qualified mechanic, the vehicle showed no signs of leaks, oil or water.  The vehicle performed properly.  ALL of this CONFIRMED by ******* and me before purchase, and by ******* after the sale (No leaks on ground of oil or water, no consumption of oil or water).  The vehicles condition matches the mechanic that CJ Auto Sales had inspect the vehicle.  ON THE OTHER HAND, the mechanic that ******* chose DOES NOT MATCH the vehicle at the time of sale. 

  
  Did something negative happened after purchase?

  
  Also, the repair costs estimate were several times higher than what I would expect.  EXAMPLE "Things like Oil is dripping from a PCV hose and into the throttle body." The hose to a PCV valve carries fumes from the crankcase to vent in the intake.  It does not carry oil, it can make a damp spot with oil vapor, but does not leak oil...  What's with that?  OR The heater hose connection is discolored from the plastic rotting... Say what, things do discolor over time, but that doesn't make the item bad.
  
  CJ Auto Sales puts all agreements in writing.  If ******* wanted a warranty, it was available at the time of purchase.  He chose not to purchase a warranty from CJ Auto Sales or one of his own choosing, thus buying the vehicle AS-IS NO WARRANTY.  He is now asking for the benefits of a warranty without purchasing one.  That would not be fair to those customers that do purchase a warranty.  They might ask why ******* get a warranty for free and they do not.  That would be an unfair business practice.  CJ Auto Sales goes over three different disclosures related to AS-IS and what it means, including the one below:
  
  VEHICLE "AS-IS" AGREEMENT-NO WARRANTY
  The Seller assumes no responsibility for any repairs regardless of any oral statements about the vehicle.  The Buyer herby accepts the above-described vehicle in its present "AS-IS" condition and waives all warranties including the dealer's implied warranty of merchantability and the dealer's implied warranty of fitness.  EXCEPT FOR WARRANTY OF THE MANUFACTURER, IF ANY, the entire risk as to the quality and performance of the vehicle is with the buyer, and if the vehicle proves defective after purchase, the buyer and not the dealer, distributor or retailer assumes the entire cost of all necessary servicing or repair.
  
  Summary:
  The vehicle was in good condition when purchased (Confirmed by *******, independent qualified mechanic and by me). ******* confirms the vehicle had no issues with leaks or performance. ******* was encouraged to have the vehicle inspected and declined.  ******* had the opportunity to purchase a warranty and declined.  CJ Auto Sales will not be offering any assistance.
  

  
  

  Customer response

  08/22/2024

  The California Vehicle Code Section ******** mandates that all used car dealers must offer consumers the option to obtain a pre-purchase inspection of a vehicle before finalizing the sale.  Experts agree that used cars must be inspected by a qualified specialist before the final negotiation for purchase. The ordinary car buyer, even if mechanically savvy, really can't do it justice.  In this case, the seller refused to allow me to take the car to an auto shop near them, nor would they agree to accompany me to drop the car off there.  The offer to allow a mobile inspection to be performed, which tends to be incomplete since there is no access to a lift for checking the car's underside, was wholly inadequate.  
  
  
  The independent mechanic hired by CJ Auto Sales that supposedly inspected the 2017 ***** Sonic LS at issue here either failed miserably in spotting apparent problems or simply chose to overlook them and sign off on its condition.  
  
  
  It doesn't take much thought to conclude that multiple oil and water leaks don't suddenly arise after simply driving home after purchasing a vehicle.  Obviously, these documented leaks happened long before I purchased the car.  Proof of the immediate necessary repairs performed, along with the costs involved, are included within this complaint.  Less urgent repairs are scheduled for a later date.  Again, and in fairness, I am only asking CJ Auto Sales to refund $500 in partially reimbursing me for $1968 in out-of-pocket repair costs.        
  
  
  

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