DO NOT BUY FROM THIS SHADY AUCTION
**IMPORTANT TIPS if you do buy a car at the bottom of this review**
I purchased a 2011 Hyundai Sonata with about 132,000 miles on March 20, 2022 from SoCal Auto Auction in Ontario for $10,450. First, what I noticed based on following their auction for a few weeks, both online and in person, is they have people online jacking up prices. When a car seems to be "sold" through their online bidding platform, they will have the car back in the auction the next day or week. They use the excuse of peoples loans not going through. This is just a false narrative.
Second, they clean and spray some type of oil substance under the hood to disguise any oil leaks.
Third, the smog check they claim to have on their cars is definitely not legit; since the car I purchased from them would 100% not have passed a smog check. As shown in the photos of how much smoke is coming from the exhaust after driving it about 40 miles since purchased. I was told by a mechanic and the dealership, the car needs an ENGINE REPLACEMENT of more than $12,000, which will cost more than the purchase price of the car.
Lastly, although the car looks fine on the outside, it soon revealed all its problems. If you let them know about the issue for this 7 day warranty they say you will need to take it to their mechanics and you will need to pay 50% of all costs, labor and parts. This seems where they will rip you off for the second time.
While I was waiting to complete the purchase process, DJ ( Dariush), the auction manager, told me it's a great a car, fully inspected and smog checked. And yet it turns out to be a complete bust! As none of his claims were true. They lie to your face taking advantage of people. They know their cars are complete money pits. DO NOT BE DECEIVED!
**TIPS**
1. Immediately get a smog check somewhere else! Spend the money to do this the next day you purchase!
2. Take it to the dealership or trusted mechanic to be thouroughly inspected for any engine/transmission issues that have been disguised by their tricks. This will give you the upper hand to take advantage of the 7 day warranty. Again, do it immediately!
3. Check the oil and get an engine oil sample. An attorney told me they could have filled the car with diesel oil, which is thicker and could mask the engine burning oil.
4. There was a CONTRACT CANCELLATION OPTION paper in the documents saying I waived my right to return the car in the first couple days of purchase. They left it among other papers in the car after I signed all the documents. I personally don't remember that document was presented to me to be reviewed or signed as the copy they gave me has no signature but just a checked box next to waiving my right. Make sure you have this document in the initial papers they give you. By paying less than $200, you can reserve the right to return the car in the first couples days of purchase.
5. The DMV, Division of Investigations regulates the vehicle industry and licenses and regulates the occupational groups of dealerships and salespersons among several others. You may contact DMV at the following if you have additional questions:
Department of Motor Vehicles
Investigations Division
8259 Demetre Avenue, MS/L219
Sacramento, CA 95828-0932
Phone: (916) 229-0167 or (916) 229-0168
Fax: (916) 229-0185
Phone Toll Free: (800) 777-0133
TTY: (800) 368-4327
List of Investigations Offices: www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/dmv/offices/investigationsoffice
Download a Complaint Form: www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/uploads/2020/03/inv172a.pdf
Website: www.dmv.ca.gov
For information on filing a complaint about a vehicle purchase, please see the following link:
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/customer-service/report-an-issue-or-complaint/
I hope you find this information helpful.
Disclaimer: These are solely my personal opinion read more