I have had a terrible experience with Mahwah Honda and can only say "Buyer Beware!!". In November 2024, my husband and I purchased a used 2020 Civic there, after being assured it had passed the routine inspection. During the sales negotiation, when the manager said it was not certified pre-owned, we asked what the difference was and he replied simply "power train warranty". Since we have had several other Hondas in the past with no power train problems, we accepted the car as is. What I have now learned is that the "pre-owned certification," which costs about an extra $2,000, also guarantees that the car is in condition to be driven any further than around the block, whereas the Mahwah routine inspection does not. Indeed, we immediately started having problems, as follows:
1. On day 7 of ownership, the battery died while we were at a store. After getting a jump start, we got the battery and alternator tested, which revealed that the alternator was fine but the battery tested low and needed to be replaced. We also discovered that there was no owner's manual, and the key fob provided had the wrong emergency key. Then, it rained, and we noticed that the windshield wiper was torn. (See photo)
2. Next, we took it for NYS inspection, and in order to pass, we had to purchase/replace: torn wiper blade, burned out rear brake light bulb & burned out reverse light bulb. We had now driven it just 259 miles from purchase, and had already spent $519.00 to make the car driveable.
4. After reporting the above problems to the salesman, I requested proof that the car had passed the inspection, and was informed that the company does not keep such records. Instead, the salesman offered the opportunity to bring the car in for a free inspection, with supposedly any problems to be rectified at the company's cost. We were also offered reimbursement of $138 towards the inspection cost. I requested reimbursement of all the other costs I had incurred. This request was subsequently denied, and the original offer (in writing by text message) of $138 was later by the general manager. Meanwhile new problems became evident.
5. By this time I felt I had been lied to about the car passing dealer inspection. So to prepare for the proposed service appointment at Mahwah, I took the car to my local dealer, which performed a free "Honda multi-point point inspection." The inspection report showed failing grades and urgent need for the following at a likely cost of $1,500: Brake fluid exchange, Coolant exchange, Transmission fluid exchange, Oil change, Cabin air filter, Air filter, Timing chain tensioner cover replacement due to oil leak, Fuel system cleaning.
I was advised that the car should not be driven until this maintenance was performed or the car risked becoming "worthless" due to overdue and deferred maintenance that had reached a crisis level.
6. I provided this report to the dealer and requested that they address all failing items in the multi-point inspection report at his expense, as I thought they had promised, and reimburse the full $519.23 we had spent to get the car road-ready and able to pass NYS inspection. However, the general manager informed me that I would not be reimbursed for anything, including the $138 promised, and that he would not fix anything for free. He blamed the battery problem on me and said the company's inspection referenced at the time of sale was a "safety inspection" of brakes and tires, not a "multi-point inspection A_Z" of the condition of the car. NYS inspection was my problem, not his, and the condition of the car was a "maintenance issue" and therefore my responsibility.
7. The lesson is to find a dealer that proves the used car has passed a "Honda Multi-point inspection" of road-ready condition. This is less detailed than 181-point certified pre-owned inspection but ensures your car is fit to be driven further than the dealer driveway exit. Mahwah is not such a dealer. My car has only been driven about 1,000 miles and needs $1,500 more to be in drive-able condition. read more