Dealership refusing to compensate for their negligence

[u/PopularGrapefruit150]

Dealership is an absolute pain to deal with, I just want to know if I have a leg to stand on here or if I'm SOL. It's a minor bill ($500 including towing), but I feel like this isn't something I should have to deal with 300 miles after buying a car. Just looking for a second opinion, I don't care about the money, I can afford a $500 bill, but I'm just pissed about the situation.

Anyways here goes...

About two weeks ago, I purchased a used vehicle from a dealership. The vehicle was represented as being in proper working condition at the time of sale, passed their 10 point inspection. I purchased a 2023 Hyundai with 39,328 miles. I ran into this problem at 39,600 miles.

Shortly after purchase, I was away for several days. Upon returning, I discovered the vehicle’s engine oil was practically empty. Given the severity of the issue, the vehicle was immediately towed to an independent mechanic that I am familiar with and trust for inspection and repair.

The independent mechanic performed a full evaluation, cleaned the affected components, and identified the cause of the failure as an improperly installed or defective O-ring. The mechanic has documented the condition of the vehicle, the diagnosis, etc. I have photos and videos of the improperly installed o ring as well as how much oil leaked onto the bottom of my car that had to be cleaned.

Based on the timing of the failure, occurring within a week of purchase (only 300 miles) and the nature of the defect, the issue appears consistent with improper servicing or faulty installation existing at the time of sale or delivery (aka negligence).

The vehicle experienced a major loss of oil that, had it occurred while driving long distance, could have resulted in complete engine failure and left me stranded out of state. Thankfully when I went out of state my brother drove us in his car instead of taking mine (I purchased it on Tuesday and we left that Friday, got back Monday night).

I contacted the dealership to request coverage of the repair costs and associated expenses. The dealership has refused, stating that since the vehicle was not brought to them for service they are not required to compensate. I do not believe this is reasonable given the circumstances, the safety risk involved, and the need for independent diagnosis after a mechanical failure immediately following purchase as a result of their negligence.

[u/DavefromCA]

You left out the most important detail, was the car bought "as is?"

[u/PopularGrapefruit150 → u/DavefromCA]

Honestly not sure if that's how it was phrased exactly, I had my parents review everything since this was my first car purchase. But there was a document that showed they did an inspection prior to selling it and they claimed there were no problems.

[u/rwhockey29 → u/PopularGrapefruit150]

shitty situation but stuff gets missed occasionally, and something like an O-ring would be easy to miss. seems weird that it only dumped oil out while you were gone, seems like that big of a leak would have been noticeable right away. Dealership COULD be nice and help you out here but they arent required to, and since you took it to a 3rd party shop instead of back to them their warranty wont apply.

[u/PopularGrapefruit150 → u/PopularGrapefruit150]

Sorry I know it's not much to go on, appreciate the help though.

[u/Micosilver → u/PopularGrapefruit150]

That is not a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Any car can break down from one mile to the next.

If there is a dealer warranty - you take the car to dealer service.

Also while it's too late for you - an inspection should be performed on used cars before purchase, not when things go wrong.

[u/Grandpas_Spells → u/PopularGrapefruit150]

I think it's fair to say you may have scored a bit of an own goal on this one.

Your vehicle was almost certainly under warranty, so the OEM would have paid the dealer to fix the car. However, the dealer's not going to cut you a check when you take the vehicle to an independent mechanic. Independents are great for out of warranty cars.

Dealers do not pay anything around warranty issues, the warranty issuer does.

[u/PopularGrapefruit150 → u/Grandpas_Spells]

It would appear so! My only previous car was an 06 Avalon (rip) I drove for 10 years so this whole experience was new to me. Parents told me to bring it to the mechanic we know and said they would cover it (clearly did not happen, they must’ve had a much friendlier dealership). But lesson learned!

[u/GatorWok → u/PopularGrapefruit150]

Practically every dealership has some in-house 130 or 100 or 150 point 'inspection.' It's to a great degree marketing. And as I mentioned in another abrasive (sorry) comment, some ratio out of millions and millions of used cars - supremely complex pieces of machinery - will break down shortly after the sale even with that. That's just math.

Your job is to lessen that risk by always getting it thoroughly inspected on your own (a PPI).