Business ProfileforAutoplex of Affton

On July 18, 2022 we put a deposit on a 2013 scion frs, $515.00. Three days later on the 21st we drove 3 and half hours to purchase. Five minutes prior to arriving I received a phone call from the salesman (*****) stating while they were driving the car to the dealership from the mechanics, the check engine light came on. They were taking it back to the shop. Since we were close we went to look anyway. There were some cosmetic damage which had not reported, but interior was immaculate. We decided to see what the issue was before moving forward. The following day the salesman offered to give a full refund since we had driven so far and hadn't been able to buy the car. I asked to have the car checked by an authorized ****** (scion) dealer. Was told I could at my expense. At that point I was also told the code (check engine light) was caused from faulty equipment when they were checking the car (I was initially told the light came on while they were driving the car to the dealership). I paid to have it checked by ****** as I was no longer comfortable with the mechanic the dealership used and we have been looking for this specific model of Scion for some time. ****** reported codes had been cleared twice & there was no way to tell what they were. They found this suspicious and said equipment COULD NOT cause check engine light to come on. I was advised against purchase and told there was also record of noise in the back end of the car. I contacted seller, saying we were opting not to purchase and I wanted my deposit back. ******** refused saying they weren't going to return the deposit now. Total cost of a wasted trip (gas for 300+ miles) authorized ****** mechanic check (272 dollars) and my deposit. Close to $1000 with no car. As I was told my full deposit would be returned, I expected that to be honored. They have offered half refund, but I am looking for the full $515 to be returned. Screen shot of text from Salesman has been included.