Warning: Always Have a Trusted Mechanic Inspect Any Used Car Before Buying from Aristocrat Motors Pre-Owned in Lee's Summit!
This dealership does not have an on-site service department. I purchased a used minivan that was in rough condition both inside and out--it honestly should have gone to auction. As it sat, it was worth less than $4,000. I was told they would clean it up and ensure it had no leaks or mechanical issues before I took delivery. I made it clear I didn't want a vehicle with problems.
They promised a full inspection and minor repairs if needed. Otherwise, I wouldn't have gone through with the purchase. They also tried to sell me a $3,000 extended warranty, which I thankfully declined.
After a week of waiting for the inspection and cleanup, I picked up the van. I was briefly shown a service sheet but was not given a copy to keep, and I never received the full inspection report I was promised. When I checked the van myself, the oil and air filter were still dirty. That's when I scheduled a proper inspection at Jay Wolfe Acura.
The vehicle failed their used car inspection and was deemed not roadworthy:
Warped front brake rotors
Non-functional windshield wipers (rear wiper had no blade)
Third brake light still inoperative (still waiting for parts)
Multiple fluid leaks, including rear main seal and power steering pump
Despite being licensed and sitting in my driveway, the vehicle is not legal to drive. I still don't understand how it passed state inspection. Jay Wolfe Acura, whom I've trusted for over 30 years, provided me with a complete history showing the Honda had almost no maintenance other than an occasional oil change after 100,000 miles.
At purchase, the van had 129,000 miles. I've now spent over $4,500 in maintenance to catch up on what should have been done at the 105,000-mile mark. I was told the dealership would invested over $3,000 to prep the vehicle, so I agreed to buy --but that clearly didn't happen. Although they did a nice job cleaning the interior, the mechanical condition was a different story.
To date, the van still needs:
New brakes and rotors
Third brake light assembly
Repairs for fluid leaks
Additional mechanical attention (over $6,000 in total needed)
I did speak to the dealership manager to voice my concerns and document the issue. read more