I bought a 2010 Honda CR-V Ex L from a Mechanic off Facebook marketplace just before Jan 20th and I have been having a huge nightmare of issues and trying to get a refund. Here's the issues when I first test drive the car, I noticed brakes were bad and he said he was going to fix them before he sold it to me and put a 3 month engine and transmission guarantee on it. The next day on pickup brakes were still bad and complained again but only before taking it away 5 mins down the road to pickup wipers from Walmart to have my battery die. Battery was replaced. I drive it 30 mins home and check engine light pops up. Catalytic converter below threshold, bring it back again to have him reset the check engine light and replace air filter which was disgustingly dirty to only next day have it come on again. Next time I come he then replaces catalytic converter and notices the serpentine belt worn to replace it free of charge. Check engine comes back on same issue, now mind you this car was from out of state and no issues on car fax. The car was no longer being fixed by this mechanic and instead being fixed by another mechanic shop, he doesn't even tell me this until I drive by and ask where is it. I take it for inspection and it fails as it wasn't ready. New issues pop up after the check engine light comes up. Gas valve issues, waiting on parts to come in today, now mind you I have told him several times about gas lingering smells since day 1. This is a Spanish speaking mechanic and I have to use his translator that doesn't do much repairs.
I have until 2/28 to get inspection passed or I get fines / registration suspension.
I have talked to the dealership who sold the mechanic this car several times to keep him in the loop. I know I should get my money back but I have told him several times and it just keeps getting repaired.
Please help lead me in the right direction, I don't want to be stuck with an 8k P.O.S.
I bought a 2010 Honda CR-V Ex L from a Mechanic off Facebook marketplace
Big mistake, especially if you did not have a different mechanic give the vehicle a thorough inspection before buying it.
when I first test drive the car, I noticed brakes were bad
You should have walked away from the deal right then and there.
he said he was going to fix them before he sold it to me and put a 3 month engine and transmission guarantee on it.
Did he put the guarantee in writing?
mind you this car was from out of state and no issues on car fax
You can't trust Carfax beyond possibly verifying mileage. Not everything is reported to them.
Please help lead me in the right direction, I don't want to be stuck with an 8k P.O.S.
Unless you have a written warranty spelling out specifically what is covered you are at the mercy of the the person who sold you the car and the people he is farming the work out to. You could take the car to a good independent mechanic of your own choosing to get an estimate of the work that needs to be done, and take the seller to small claims court if they won't make it right. The trouble is that in most jurisdictions used car sales are as-is unless a warranty provided with the sale says otherwise. If a spoken promise from the seller was not backed up in writing, proving it is going to be a problem.
I know this doesn't help for this situation but there were enough red flags with this deal that you should have run away from it. Worse yet, this thing was grievously overpriced. Kelley Blue Book pegs the price of that vehicle in fair condition (with all those problems it cannot be considered "good") at about $5500, and Kelley price quotes are typically inflated to begin with. Unfortunately this purchase is a very expensive learning experience.
@chucktobias I do have it in writing on the receipt
OK, then I would get an independent estimate of what's wrong from another shop (preferably an independent, not a dealer or chain) and if the items are covered make them fix it properly. Take them to small claims court if they won't.
@chucktobias at this point I want to get a full refund if I can. Small claims would only get me up to 5k
Unless the receipt says words to the effect that there is is a "money back" guarantee I don't think you can force that issue. A warranty is a legal document that is limited to the specific items listed as covered.
Lemon laws in most if not all states are only for new cars, but you could look into any applicable laws in your state.
when I first test drive the car, I noticed brakes were bad and he said he was going to fix them before he sold it to me and put a 3 month engine and transmission guarantee on itHe could claim to give you free service for life. His promises, unless you got them in writing (a legal contract) mean absolutely nothing. Check the bill of sale it probably reads "sold as is".
no issues on car fax.A Carfax might provide some insight about a car, but it doesn't replace an honest mechanics opinion.
There's to many red lags on this transaction to enumerate all of them. The harsh truth is you bought a car without having your mechanic giving it a pre-purchase inspection and the seller doesn't care.
If the CRV only had 100K miles on it it'd still only be worth around 5 grand!
@hixster I had him put on the receipt 3 month warranty on engine and transmission
I want to get a full refund
Unless you have a paper contract which describes some kind of refund procedure signed by him, you are SOL. And even then, he can just ignore you because he knows it's not worth taking to court.
You are the mercy of the seller's good will.
I'm afraid that you are stuck with it. Private sales (such as FBMP) are final. Caveat emptor. Know what you are buying. Walk away from junkers.
