ComplaintsforMeineke Car Care Center

• Initial Complaint

  08/24/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I brought a used car to ******** *** **** ** ****** ****** NC, to have a purchase inspection done to see what was wrong with it and if it was worth spending the money to fix it. 1 week and $3255 later it was ready. Driven 2 days and it died and it was undriveable. Had it towed to them to see what was wrong with it, turns out it had a broken drive shaft/transfer case and it would be an additional $5k to fix it. Its not worth spending the $ to fix, they shouldn't have missed this issue, they obviously did not look for the problem or even caused it! I specifically spent the money to have the entire car inspected for this reason and i trusted them. Now they will not make good on it, i even called corporate and left 5 messages to make a formal complaint and no one will return my call. I am now out $3k for buying the car and another $3255 for fixing it and its undriveable and they wont make good on it. We were deceived and robbed of $3255!!! The owner stated that they are not clairvoyant or a magician! it is their job to check it over top to bottom and advise if it was worth spending the $ to fix anything needed. We were never advised of this massive issue or we would not have spent the money at all to fix it in any way! They will not pay for the tow to their shop and will not make good on this or even meet us half way to fix it! Corporate is useless and wont even return a phone call. I want my money back or for them to fix the car correctly on their dime! They made the mistake and i suppose we did too by trusting them in the first place!

  Business response

  09/06/2022

  Miss ****** had her vehicle at our location on August 11, 2022. She had recently purchased her pre-owned vehicle and wanted us to inspect it for anything it may need. During our initial inspection we found multiple problems and noted them on her inspection report (attached).  We provided photos of worn out items such as a leaky coolant system, tires, belts, a driveshaft and rear brakes. We also noted that her check engine light was on and a faulty EVAP system component was the cause.  After she had time to review the inspection report, she approved some of the items recommended and we proceeded with only the approved work. 
  A few days later (160 miles later), Miss ****** returned with a different concern. We again inspected the vehicle, but this time let her know that there was a problem inside her drivetrain and we suspect it is with the all-wheel drive transfer case. Miss ****** quickly accused us of missing this diagnosis and demanded that we fix her car for free. 
  During our initial inspection on August 11th, there were no leaks from the transmission or transfer case and everything looked and still looks normal. Our shop, like many shops, has no way of predicting or testing if/when an internal component will fail. While I understand and sympathize with Miss ******'s frustration, we provided her with the best inspection we could. 
  This dispute is not about the work she agreed to have fixed. Everything we agreed to fix on her car was fixed properly. Unfortunately, she has an altogether different issue and wants us to take responsibility for it. 
  
  I hope this helps. Please keep me updated on this dispute when possible. 

  Customer response

  09/07/2022

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because: i paid them to inspect the entire car for all problems and this is a known issue for this car and they didnt check it properly. What they failed to mention is that we spent $3255 to fix what they "said" was wrong and they didnt check everything as promised in a purchase inspection which covers everything bumper to bumper. This is not the first time we have had an issue with this shop failing to do their due diligence and we still trusted them to do right and they didnt... 2 other cars in our family they have created issues for and didnt do their job properly, but the cost was minor compared to $3255! They need to either fix what they missed and broke or refund my $3255....i will pursue legal action if this is not resolved properly. Never in my life have i ever dealt with such a crooked place and we trusted them with all our family cars for years... i will never return to any ******* ever... i would rather pay more money at a dealership for proper trusted work done right.  

   

  not to mention the poor attitude of the owner who refuses to make good on the mistake his manager and mechanics made. 

   

  This must be resolved either its fixed at their cost as it was their mistake.. or refund my $3255... or legal action. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  **** ******

  Business response

  09/07/2022

  I am sorry you feel this way, but you are misinformed about the process of a pre-purchase inspection. Internal components such as a transmission, a transfer case or even the internal parts of an engine cannot be checked during a pre-purchase inspection other than a visible leak or exterior damage. As an example... I can start a car and determine the starter motor is good on a vehicle, but I cannot predict when the internal components of that starter motor will fail. The same rules apply for the transfer case or transmission on a vehicle. If a car goes from (P)ark to (D)rive and the test drive is fine, I can only assume those parts are ok. That doesn't mean I should be able to predict they will fail in a week or two and there is not a shop around, including the dealer that can. You purchased a used vehicle and I'm sure that purchase was an "as-is" purchase. I understand your frustration, but I believe it is misguided. Your argument should be with the used car dealer or person you purchased the vehicle from.

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