Darcars Chevrolet Sells Used Truck As “New”
In July 2004, James bought from Darcars Chevrolet in Lanham, MD what he thought was a new Chevy S-10 truck.
This year, his power window started. malfunctioning. James brought the truck to his local dealer for what he thought would be a warranty repair. When the local dealer pulled up his truck’s info from the GM warranty database, the dealer informed him that his 36 month warranty had expired.
Huh? James thought he still had 7 months to go!
The first dealer sold James a “spec-event used car” that had been sitting on his lot for a year. The warranty clock had already started ticking. However, on the bill of sale (included inside), you can clearly see the vehicle is marked as “new.”
James’ story, our advice, and more pix and evidence inside…
James writes:
“You can imagine my surprise when my local Chevy dealer told me that my new car warranty was expired after only two years. He gave me a copy of the GM database (attached) which listed my S-10 pickup truck as a “spec-event used car.”
…The local service manager was kind enough to cover the repair despite the warranty expiration; apparently they have some discretion at the local level….
After sending a certified package of documents and leaving four messages with the dealer which sold me the truck, there was no response so I sent an e-mail to GM directly. According to the response from Jimmy Sanchez (attached), a new-car warranty takes effect on the “original delivery date” which I assume is when it is delivered to the dealer. Since the car sat on the dealer’s lot for over a year when I bought it, my warranty was severely sliced.
As you can see, the original bill of sale lists the car as “New” with my initials next to the 200 mile notation on the bill ; the 200 miles represents the mileage on the truck when I bought it, which is not unusual for a new vehicle which has been test-driven. In addition, I received two GM rebates on the truck; I’ve never heard of GM rebates on used vehicles.
I bought a new vehicle! This seems like fraud to me.”
It not only seems like fraud, it is fraud. Don’t try to beseech Chevy for help, they don’t care what their dealers do.
Continue trying to reach the original dealer and see if you can work it out. Follow up those phone calls with formal requests in writing and send by certified mail.
If Darcars continues to be unresponsive, you would be well advised to file a police report and file suit. — BEN POPKEN
Click to enlarge warranty information from GM database and bill of sale.
Email to Chevy:
—–Original Message—– From: cac@chevrolet.com Sent: 12/12/2006 10:02:13 AM
———————————————————— Nature of concern : VehicleConcernMessage : I purchased this vehicle new from Darcars Chevrolet in Lanham, MD. Recently a local dealer informed me that my vehicle was in fact a “Spec-event used car” according to the GM Vehicle Inquiry System (I have a copy). Now my warranty has expired after less than two years of use. Apparently the warranty took effect when the dealer received the car and while it sat on his lot for more than one year. I bought a new car – with rebates – not a used car, and they are guilty of fraud. Paul, a manager at Darcars, will not return my calls after I sent a packet (two months ago) of documents relating to this problem. Hopefully you can help. Many thanks.
Response from Chevy:
- “Customer Relationship Specialist: Jimmy Sanchez
Dear Mr. xxxxx,
Thank you for contacting the Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center. We appreciate you taking the time to write us in regards to your 2003 Chevrolet S-10. The warranty for your S-10 is for 36 months or 36,000 miles whichever comes first for manufacturer defects in materials or workmanship. Coverage begins on the original delivery date; the start date on your warranty was 06/23/2003.
Other components carry specific warranties based on state and federal law. Please refer to your Warranty Booklet or contact your Chevrolet Dealer for details. Additionally, the following Privileges of Ownership apply to all Brand owners: Roadside Service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, by phoning 800-252-1112. This includes no-charge road service for the first 36 months or 36,000 miles of ownership and is good almost anywhere in the U.S. or Canada and can provide help for flat tires, lost keys or even empty fuel tanks. There are several companies which offer vehicle extended service contracts. The General Motors Protection Plan (GMPP) is an extended warranty offered through General Motors.
For further information on this warranty, please contact GMPP at 1-800-631-5590 or visit your selling dealership. Your dealership will also have information on any other available extended service contracts. If you have any questions, please contact us again. I have documented our correspondence in our database under Service Request number 71-4525xxxxx. Please provide this Service Request number when addressing this concern with us in the future. Providing your request number in all correspondence will be greatly appreciated and will aid us in expediting a timely response. If you should need to contact us in the future, simply reply to this message or call our General Motors Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-1020. Customer Relationship Specialists are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Eastern Time. For more information regarding the maintenance and care of your vehicle, please visit http://www.mygmlink.com. This free online service offers vehicle and ownership-related information and tools tailored to your specific General Motors. Again, thank you for contacting General Motors.
Sincerely, The General Motors Consumer Support Team
Chevrolet supports Buckle Up America. I encourage you, your family and your friends to always Buckle Up.”
Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.
