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Location: West Los Angeles and Rancho Palos Verdes
13,583 posts, read 15,662,103 times
Reputation: 14049
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Quote:
A man in Washington state bought a used BMW that he thought was in good working order, only to have the engine completely fail on him three days later. Turns out he never saw the check engine light because that was covered up with duct tape.
This is why you never buy a vehicle from some buy here pay here place; and if you do, it is a cheap car that is easy and cheap to work on. Not a 5 series BMW. He could lawyer up, but all the dealership has to say is, "vehicles are sold as is" and "we have no clue how the tape got there". I have a feeling this dude is out 4500 bucks.
This is why you never buy a vehicle from some buy here pay here place; and if you do, it is a cheap car that is easy and cheap to work on. Not a 5 series BMW. He could lawyer up, but all the dealership has to say is, "vehicles are sold as is" and "we have no clue how the tape got there". I have a feeling this dude is out 4500 bucks.
Fraud will negate "as is, where is" disclaimer every time.
Although my bmw is a 3 series and few years newer I can't see his not alerting him another way that there's a problem even if the CEL is on but covered. On mine it'll complain every single time I start the car with an annoying beeping and to have the car inspected if a fault was triggered. I actually have a fault with the brake pad sensors at the moment and I get the beeping and a picture of a car on a lift in the instrumental panel.
Yes, it does sound like a shady dealer but I wouldn't rule out that the buyer isn't telling the whole story here.
Unfortunately, I found the perfect sign for this BMW Buyer . . .
That was my first thought, after "how do you not notice tape covering up the check engine light"? Then I read the article, they went to the trouble to open the dash and cover the bulb with electrical tape where it couldn't be seen. But still he clearly didn't have anyone check the car over before he bought it, or even spend $10 on a obdc scanner to check for codes himself.
Licensed Dealer is responsible even if he denies knowing about it. It's his responsibility to deliver a safe and legally driven vehicle. Would lose his license and receive a big fine.
A dealer in Phoenix, AZ just lost his license for doing similar tricks. Was fined over a million dollars.
WHAT?????? You mean a used car dealer is crooked ???? If you can't trust them, who can you trust ?
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