CHARLOTTE — Supply chain issues and the chip shortage mean fewer new cars are for sale -- and that translates into higher demand.
According to federal data, new car sales are up 9% from this time last year. The increase for used cars in the same time period is 24%.
Lee Huntley recently bought a 2015 Ford Focus.
A week later, he said, “I was driving and the car ran hot. And I had to do an emergency stop because everything in the dash lit up.”
A week after that, the vehicle “was jerking real bad,” he said.
Huntley looked under the hood, saw some things he was concerned about, and took pictures.
“I have never went through anything like this,” he said.
The Carfax report for the car only mentions one minor accident. Huntley complained to the dealer -- U.S. Auto -- and wanted to return the car but said he got the runaround. He contacted Action 9′s Jason Stoogenke, so Stoogenke emailed the company.
The next day, the dealer gave Huntley his money back.
“They really didn’t want do anything until I got you to step in,” he said. “I got back $1,159. That was every penny that I paid down on the vehicle. They refunded it all back.”
The dealer told Stoogenke, “All vehicles sold by U.S. Auto undergo multiple inspections before displayed for sale, including an additional state-required inspection performed by state-approved inspection center.”
The company also said, “In an abundance of caution, U.S. Auto is having the vehicle reinspected by a third party.”
Remember:
- Always check the Carfax report, but ask the dealer to provide it. That way you don’t have to pay for it. You can save $40.
- Have a mechanic you trust inspect the car before you buy.
- You usually have more recourse when a vehicle has a warranty than an “as is” vehicle.
Ask if there’s any damage and get the answer in writing. Legally, there are times when a dealer has to tell you about certain damage the vehicle’s had:
- If the vehicle is a flood, salvage, or reconstructed vehicle.
- If the vehicle is five years old or newer and more than 25% of it has been damaged.
[WATCH BELOW: Carfax warns buyers of damaged car listings from Hurricane Ida]
©2021 Cox Media Group
