Complaint Review: North Hills Auto Mall

 My boyfriend, Aaron, purchased a vehicle from North Hills Auto Mall last week, August 8th, 2017. It was sold as is without a warranty so we purchased one of our own for power train and emissions just for extra precaution. The dealer told us it was inspected and in good running condition and would sell it to us at the price of $9999 because he just got it the day before and had not detailed it yet. He also said that he would raise the price of it by $3000 after he had detailed it so we figured we were getting a good deal since a detail is only around $100. I had to leave before he drove it off the lot as I had to work. On his way home from the dealership the back brake line blew. The next day,

August 9th, I called the dealership and told them the issue and they told me that I could bring it in on August 10th. I brought the truck up to the lot and asked if we could return it, the dealer refused. He said this isn't Walmart, you can't just return a vehicle here, the deal is done. He agreed to fix the brake line and inspect the vehicle free of charge and said it would be ready the following day. August 14th, Monday, the dealer calls and tells me the truck is ready. Aaron and I go to pick up the truck. The dealer has no paperwork from the mechanics to give to us. August 15th, Tuesday, I call first thing in the morning to set up an appointment to get the truck inspected by a reputable

mechanic. The appointment was made for Thursday, August 17th, at their earliest convenience. That same day, I drove locally for groceries and gas and put the emergency brake on when I returned home. August 16th, Wednesday, I could not fully disengage the parking brake. I called the automotive shop to help, they were unable to assist at the moment so I just asked locals to help at that point. I got the parking brake disengaged with the assistance of a good samaritan. The automotive shop called me back and said to bring the truck in that day, I told them I could see something hanging and it didn't look right. I get to the automotive shop and the mechanic says at

first glance the truck looks good. He then looks under the truck and tells me that the brake line is not supposed to have any slack like the one on the truck did. He also told me that there was rust damage to the frame of the vehicle as well as the bed and bed supports. He said he would get it in the air that day and let me know exactly what all was wrong with it and if it could legally pass inspection. August 17th, Thursday, the bad news is delivered to me from the auto mechanic. He told me the truck would not pass pa state inspection. He said the left rear frame rail had rust damage through the bottom side in front of the leaf spring plate. The right rear frame had a large hole rusted at and

under the right leaf spring plate, also on the inside at the same area and above the plate (this would not pass). The ends of 3 bed supports were rusted off and one not attached. The wheel support rods were not attached. The right rear park brake cable was inoperative and needs replaced for proper park brake operation. The left rear park brake pivot was frozen in place and will not operate, the park brake system does not operate at all (will not pass inspection). I was also informed that the vehicle wasn't even driven 700 miles after the inspection in March 2017 and that there was no way these damages could have occurred within that time, these were prolonged problems that

weren't addressed and overlooked. At this time the mechanic told me he took photos and would give me the completed list of issues the following day since he still had things to add. I called the dealer and asked what they would do about this, he said he would talk to his boss and call me back. 2 hours pass and I call again. The dealer said he would not repair anything as it was sold as is and that he was not responsible for making sure he sold us a vehicle that was safe or passable under pa inspection. We purchased this vehicle in good will and good faith and are now paying for a vehicle that is rendered unsafe.