DMV agents believe Auto House lied to help customers get financing

SALISBURY, N.C. — There are new allegations against the used car dealership Action 9's been looking into since the beginning of the year.

Action 9 found Auto House mislabeled vehicles, selling them as higher end, more expensive models.

Now, Action 9 found N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles agents believe the dealer lied to make sure customers could get financing.

Auto House has two locations: one in Mooresville and one in Salisbury.

Armed DMV agents searched both Auto House locations in June.

On Wednesday, Action 9 obtained a copy of the search warrant from the Salisbury lot that day.

TIMELINE: Auto House Investigation

• MAY 12: Action 9 exposes Auto House for selling mislabeled Nissan Altimas. 
• MAY 12: DMV launches investigation into both Auto House locations: Mooresville and Salisbury.
• MAY 19: Action 9 confirms Auto House also sold mislabeled RAM pickup trucks. 
• MAY 20: Attorney General's Office announces it is investigating Auto House.
• JUNE 2: Action 9 confirms more cases of mislabeled vehicles.
• JUNE 2: Bank stops financing Auto House customers; another bank confirms it's investigating.
• JUNE 3: DMV agents execute search warrants at both Auto House locations.
• JUNE 14: Action 9 confirms Auto House also sold a mislabeled Chevy Silverado pickup truck.
• JULY 22: Multiple customers accuse Auto House of not disclosing vehicle damage.
• OCT. 11: DMV revokes Auto House's Mooresville license and fines it $33,000.
• OCT. 14: Auto House gets permission to stay open while it fights DMV decision.
• NOV. 2:  DMV agents believe Auto House lied to get customers financing  

It said a sales manager talked to DMV agents about something called "bumping," that Auto House would "artificially inflate" some customers' income to help them get financing.

Agents said the manager admitted he "personally had 'given raises' to individuals in order to qualify them for financing."

Investigators also said that manager told them it was "a simple change" for anyone with access to the dealer's computer system.

Apparently, the manager told investigators there was "pressure" from one of the owners to "'make it happen,'" but that the owner "'changed his tune' since the Channel 9 investigation had begun."

Cox Media Group