Complaint Review: Global Motorcars of Houston

This is a little late, but better late than never. I just discoverd this site.

In August of 2011 I purchased a vehicle off of eBay from Global Motorcars of Houston. The process of the purchase and shipping was very smooth but after my experience, I see why they make it extremely easy.

The eBay advertisement stated the vehicle had been in no accidents and this was based strictly on the Car Fax history report available in the listing. My fault was not hiring an independent mechanic to go to the dealership and inspect prior to purchase.

The vehicle arrived at nigh to my door. It was running a bit rough and smelled inside and out like burnt oil. The very next day I took it to a Mercedes dealer where I was informed the extensive work it needed. Not only that, but the mechanic asked if I knew it had been in an accident? I told him I didn't and he pointed out the obvious signs such as paint overspray, the use of aftermarket parts and car panels that were newer than the vehicle itself. The timing cover was leaking (source of the burning oil) and many other issues including damaged steering parts. The tires were worn down to the cord and I would think selling a car with unsafe tires would be illegal.

Of course, NONE of these items were mentioned in the eBay ad. It was listed in excellent condition. ANY car dealership inspects vehicles when they're brought into inventory. The evidence of the accident would have been known by even the most basic of mechanics. So the only conclusion is, this information was deliberately withheld during the purchase. In my book, that's as basic fraud as you can get. Especially advertising it under the guise it had never been in an accident.

The attached inspection report has only items 1 through 10 checked "YES." The others aren't even addressed and was "signed" by someone from Global Motorcars.

I contacted my salesman, Rik Hambright with the email below:

"Rik,
 
So weve had the car since Friday and the first thing I had done was an inspection by Mercedes. I was disappointed to hear some information that should have easily been known by your dealership and should have been passed on to  any prospective buyer. The vehicle had been in an accident. Repairs were obvious with aftermarket parts and car panels that were newer than the  vehicle itself. The timing cover had an oil leak and was leaking oil all over the engine. The engine was coated in  oil which should have been easily spotted even with a cursory inspection by your dealership.
 
There were other items that should have been noted but the major one was that it had been in an accident and you only went by the Car Fax report, not noting what a first hand inspection revealed. Selling the vehicle with a tire  that had tread down to the cord is bad too. Well fix it since we bought it, but those oversights by your dealership will be noted in reviews."

He responded that he would bring it to the attention of the sales manager and get back to me. I never heard anything more. So I took my lumps but reading the number of complaints on the BBB site and their grade of D-, I am surprised the sate of Texas hasn't done something to shut them down. I'm not sure exactly what the definition of fraud and false advertising, but if those complaints aren't evidence of it, I guess the state of Texas doesn't prosecute many of those cases.