‘What have you done to my car?’: Unprofessional car dealer constantly demands buyer returns new car for inspections, causing buyer to suspect their intentions

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Jul 23, 2024 7:00 AM EDT

Nobody knows how many things need to go into consideration when buying a new car before they actually have to do it themselves for the first time. It is not only about the miles and the price, and it's not even about what brand and model it is, there is so much more you have to consider before you make a purchase.

For example – Getting the car inspected. Before you buy your first car, most people will tell you that you shouldn't rely on the inspection your car dealership performs and that you should bring it to a different car garage to give it another inspection. That way the car dealership can't hide anything from you, and you know 100% what you are getting.

I would never have thought about that the first time I bought a car, and neither did the OP (original poster) in this Reddit story. So when her car dealer got her to drive back and forth to the dealership in claims that her new car needed to be inspected, it raised many red flags, leading OP to take the car for a different inspection to make sure she wasn't being scammed.

Scroll down to read the full story. After that, click here for a story of an employee who refused to leave work after their shift was canceled yet again.

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  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10377596416
    via Canva
  • 02
    Bought a new car last Friday. Was told I had to drive over an hour away for a safety inspection. Sat at the dealership for 2 hours Monday during what I was told was the inspection. They are now asking me to come back in for the inspection
    via u/Dangerous_Phrase_738
  • 03
    10:41 All good Saturday 11:55 AM Hey hailey, can you bring the car back to the dealership today before 2:30? I think there is a safety issue we need to fix ASAP We have to make sure the wheels are properly placed on the vehicle sorry I explained that wrong lol we just have to add something to your wheels Don't worry they wont fall off! + 100% Yes I can I can't do before 230 though I don't get off until 130 III Text message 44 00
    via u/Dangerous_Phrase_738
  • 04
    10:41 100% I can't do before 230 though I don't get off until 130 Do you think you'll be here before 3 pm? I think so but I live an hour away from N 00 No worries just come on monday I can try Oki can do that Monday 10:16 AM • Am i able to go to the canton location and have it fixed? My dad doesn't want me too far away by myself No you'd have to bring it back here + ||| Monday 11:31 AM Text message
    via u/Dangerous_Phrase_738
  • 05
    10:41 back here 100% 00 Monday 11:31 AM Whats missing from it? Monday 12:55 PM • We have to do a new car inspection Or you won't get your licenses plate ok It will be about 5:30-6 before I get there but I can come in today Thursd 26 AM + Text message When can you come back О ||| 帅
    via u/Dangerous_Phrase_738
  • 06
    10:41 M 100% Hey Hailey 10:26 AM Thursday 10:26 AM When can you come back for the inspection ? They weren't able to get it done the last time You won't be able to get your license plate if we don't get it done 10:27 AM What time? Okay (+ ||| I can come in Friday 10:30 AM SMS Around 5 or 6 Yesterday 7:16 AM Text message 帅
    via u/Dangerous_Phrase_738
  • 07
    Kaiju No-8 2 days ago Get an inspection down the street, tell them what is going on. A state inspection would turn up most issues. Then, if they find something...take the car back to the dealership and demand a refund...after contacting the state attorneys office to file a formal complaint for them selling you a vehicle that is not road safe. Or...keep letting them j. you around.
    via u/KaijuNo-8
  • 08
    • Initiative Dizzy7517 · 2 days ago Yep. I wouldn't trust them to inspect anything after that string of texts. Go someplace local and trustworthy.
    via u/InitiativeDizzy7517
  • 09
    Dangerous_Phrase_738 OP. 2 days ago Definitely planning on it. We're taking it to the N right by my house. Side note: the car is a 2024 N and I'm the 1st owner.... why had a safety inspection not been performed before I left the lot
    via u/Dangerous_Phrase_738
  • 10
    Kaiju No-8 2 days ago You should check the local laws, that may have been a requirement and they may be in TONS of trouble for not doing it
    via u/KaijuNo-8
  • 11
    OldDiehl 2 days ago . Just what type of scam are they trying to pull? This is absolutely ridiculous!
    via u/OldDiehl
  • 12
    Ben_mix_alot. 2 days ago Don't worry they won't fall off! Really reassuring
    via u/Ben_mix_alot
  • 13
    Bonananana · 2 days ago Tell him he can get a tow truck to bring the un-inspected car back. Or, let him know you need $500 for gas and wasting your time.
    via u/Bonananana
  • 14
    2storyHouse · 2 days ago Coming from someone in a dealership service department, we do have to do a new car inspection. I don't know how that affects getting your plates, but it is a standard thing. And I can tell you from personal experience that sales LOVES to sell a car that hasn't gone through inspection yet. Sounds like incompetent sales department to me. There's no reason that car should've left the lot.
    via u/2storyHouse
  • 15
    Dangerous_Phrase_738 OP · 2 days ago I understand the car needing an inspection but i feel like that could have been done anytime before I left the lot or the 2 hours I spent waiting at the dealership the following Monday
    via u/Dangerous_Phrase_738
  • 16
    E_M_2030 2 days ago What I'm getting from their messages is they think you're gullible...there's a lack of respect or something. If you go back OP (which you probably shouldn't), bring someone
    via u/E_M_2030
  • 17
    else with you like your dad or a friend. They're either trying to pull something or the salesman is in love with you and is approaching in the creepiest way.
    via u/E_M_2030
  • 18
    Dangerous_Phrase_738 OP. 1 day ago I'm an 18 yr old girl so it wouldn't surprise me. The first time I went back I brought my friend bc my parents didn't want to go. If I go back I'm bringing my dad
    via u/Dangerous_Phrase_738
  • 19
    00 rywi2 1 day ago • Make sure they don't switch something off of your car. I took a car back for some pre-arranged work that we agreed upon and during this work, the dealer. switched out my wheels and tires with those from a lower trim model. Take a nice long video of your entire car, inside and out.
    via u/rywi2
  • 20
    gingerconfetti · 1 day ago Check the reviews associated with the dealership and see if anyone else has recently experienced the same.
    via u/gingerconfetti
  • 21
    • Liquidretro 16 hr. ago These texts are super unprofessional and since you said the guy is creepy I would only deal with his manager. They need to actually tell you what's going on, not use vague generalities. If it's that important they should come and pick it up too.
    via u/Liquidretro
  • 22
    Fluffy_EXTRON - 20 hr. ago What kind of dealership talks like that and uses "lol"
    via u/Fluffy_EXTRON
  • 23
    safzy 23 hr. ago Honestly, have your dad call the manager and explain themselves
    via u/safzy

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dealership scammer car work buying a car cars reddit story car dealer purchase buyer mildly infuriating workplace scam inspection Reddit money
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