Vancouver Auto Center Reviews

Called Louie at the shop. He had me swing it by the lot. This is a Friday. He is not there. Told me to lock it up and he would look at it on Monday. Louie calls me on Monday afternoon and the words out of his mouth were didn't make that noise when you test drove it and I said no not at that point. Then begins the finger pointing 👆. You must have done something to this car, sure you bet. I live 8 miles from the lot and during the test drive this car maybe has 30 miles on it.

I told him there is no way I could have done anything to it with a valve cover gasket and the recommend oil viscosity for that car. He says, "We'll if you pay me money. 💰 I can have my friend that owns a shop in Portland look at it. Oh and you have to pay for the tow truck to take it to Portland." I believe he said $500 for his friend to look at it. I told him, "Wait. I paid you $4500 dollars for this car. No way!!! This is ridiculous. 😒 He said, "We'll that's the option." I said I shouldn't have to pay this given the car only has maybe 30 miles on it.

I told him sounds like a lawsuit having someone pay you $500 cash by the way, told him, "Just back the car off your property and I will have a tow truck pick it up." He said okay. Come to find out after the tear down it was the timing chain tensioner that was shattered inside the cover, and the oil pump with the balance shaft has failed. Don't worry I will attach a picture for hopefully not future victims. Then Moe the owner calls me and is irritated about my comment and that he has done everything to help 🙄???? And asks me if I am mentally okay 👍 👌. I re explained everything to him and didn't want to hear it and hung up, oh not to forget his ending comment good luck!

While the dealership claims they 'tried to help resolve this' in 'multiple ways' and states they don't have emissions in WA, this completely misses the point. The issue isn't just about emissions testing; it's about selling a vehicle with a known, concealed major defect that impacts its functionality and value, regardless of state inspection laws. I am facing over $4,000 in out-of-pocket costs already, with total estimated repairs exceeding $9,000.

Their offers, such as a '90-day powertrain warranty,' 'trading the car back in for another one,' or 'fixing the catalytic converter,' are disingenuous in light of their initial deceptive act. Why should I trust them with further repairs or another vehicle when they knowingly sold me a faulty one? Furthermore, their assertion that the Meineke bill was 'overestimated' and that they can't 'meet in the middle short of handing over $9,000 for a $4,900 car' is a deflection. The issue is the actual, verifiable cost to make the car roadworthy, not its initial sale price. I have since filed formal complaints with the Washington State Attorney General's Office and the Department of Licensing, and I am also pursuing a claim with the dealership's surety bond company.

This dealership's practices, in my opinion, involved deliberate misrepresentation and a profound lack of transparency regarding the true condition of the vehicle. I strongly advise anyone thinking of buying a car from Vancouver Auto Center LLC to get a thorough, independent pre-purchase inspection before signing any paperwork, and to be incredibly vigilant about checking the vehicle's diagnostic history. Do not trust what they tell you at face value.