Advice needed - car sold to us without oil drain plug

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For others reading:

First mistake: Not inspecting better.
Second mistake: Towing the car to the Dodge dealership where the car was purchased so recently. More leverage to make them deal with what was clearly their mistake.

As to OP, I would call Dodge dealership and tell them what happened, then be prepared to make noise.

This.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know the legality but you might win.

I had a coworker who had a Honda engine breakdown because Jiffy Lube forgot to put the plug in. Her breakdown happened pretty quickly after.

In the end, they bought her a new engine.

If you want a new engine...you want warranty enforcement.

If you want to return the car, that's more lemon law.

I would call the dealer owner and try to.jump levels. This is a boneheaded mistake.

never, ever take your car to a Jiffy Lube. Ever. Thousands of engines and transmissions have died.

[Anonymous]

how is it that it took 2 months for the oil to leak out? Honestly I would never believe that you were sold a car without an oil plug and were able to drive it for two months before the engine burned up. You would have been seeing oil and you would have had other problems.

[Anonymous]

Considering cost of car Lemon law does not apply in DMV. Even if used has to be less than 18 months old.

In Virginia, the Virginia Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act (Lemon Law) may apply to used cars if they were purchased new within the past 18 months and if they have mechanical or safety defects that can't be fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts. If the vehicle is older than 18 months or not covered by the original manufacturer's warranty, the Lemon Law likely won't apply, but other remedies might be available.

In Maryland, the Lemon Law covers used cars, but with specific conditions. It applies if the car has been driven less than 18,000 miles and owned for less than 24 months, or if the first owner purchased the vehicle within that timeframe.

n Washington D.C., the Lemon Law generally applies to new vehicles, not used cars.

Now Mazda warranty If the oil leak is due to a defect in a covered component (like a gasket or a worn-out seal), it's more likely to be covered however, Mazda excludes drain plug-related failures.

But if Mazda changed oil then can still be liable for plug related failures. So who changed oil. Was it the Mazda dealer or Dodge. Check your car fax.

I once bought a BMW used from a non BMW dealer. My car fax showed it was traded into a BMW dealer they did the BMW servicing. However, did not see in 30 days on their lot so put it online into this dealer only network and another non-BMW place bought it and then I bought it.

Lots of time dealer selling may not have changed oil. My GMC SUV I bought at a Cadillac dealer was traded in with oil change recently done at GMC dealer by prior owner.

[Anonymous]

This story doesn’t make any sense. How were you able to drive the car home without the plug? I think something else happened here you are not telling us about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi All,
2 months ago, we bought a preowned car for my daughter that came with a 3-month bumper to bumper warranty from a well-known franchised dealership in the DC area. The car breaks down and is towed to a Mazda dealership (car is a Mazda and was bought from a Dodge dealership). Upon inspection, the Mazda repair shop sees that the drain plug for the oil was not replaced since the last oil change. (The car was purchased with recently changed oil - we have not driven the car long enough to change the oil). The oil drained out of the car and burnt up the engine. The warranty will not cover it because the drain plug is considered "external to the engine".

To pay out of pocket to rebuild the engine (8K) does not make sense. (I think we paid 11k for it). What recourse do I have? What next steps should I take?

OP- do NOT let the dealership fix it.
the dealership that sold it to you had an inspection report that they signed off on. call the dealership and let them know that this happened and if they dont rebuild then engine then youll be making a formal complaint with the MD state department of inspections. They will send an officer over if you call them and the officer will inspect the car BUT you cannot go throughthis process if the current dealership fixed it. It becomes a he said/she said.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi All,
2 months ago, we bought a preowned car for my daughter that came with a 3-month bumper to bumper warranty from a well-known franchised dealership in the DC area. The car breaks down and is towed to a Mazda dealership (car is a Mazda and was bought from a Dodge dealership). Upon inspection, the Mazda repair shop sees that the drain plug for the oil was not replaced since the last oil change. (The car was purchased with recently changed oil - we have not driven the car long enough to change the oil). The oil drained out of the car and burnt up the engine. The warranty will not cover it because the drain plug is considered "external to the engine".

To pay out of pocket to rebuild the engine (8K) does not make sense. (I think we paid 11k for it). What recourse do I have? What next steps should I take?

OP- do NOT let the dealership fix it.
the dealership that sold it to you had an inspection report that they signed off on. call the dealership and let them know that this happened and if they dont rebuild then engine then youll be making a formal complaint with the MD state department of inspections. They will send an officer over if you call them and the officer will inspect the car BUT you cannot go throughthis process if the current dealership fixed it. It becomes a he said/she said.

contact Vehicle Safety Inspector

Maryland Department of State Police

Automotive Safety Enforcement Division

6601 Ritchie Hwy

Glen Burnie, MD 21602

https://mdsp.maryland.gov/ASED/Pages/AutomotiveSafetyEnforcementDivision.aspx

If the dealership that sold it to you has a license to inspect vehicles through MD and PASSED the car then they can lose their license to inspect which complete FUc4s their business model.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Considering cost of car Lemon law does not apply in DMV. Even if used has to be less than 18 months old.

In Virginia, the Virginia Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act (Lemon Law) may apply to used cars if they were purchased new within the past 18 months and if they have mechanical or safety defects that can't be fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts. If the vehicle is older than 18 months or not covered by the original manufacturer's warranty, the Lemon Law likely won't apply, but other remedies might be available.

In Maryland, the Lemon Law covers used cars, but with specific conditions. It applies if the car has been driven less than 18,000 miles and owned for less than 24 months, or if the first owner purchased the vehicle within that timeframe.

n Washington D.C., the Lemon Law generally applies to new vehicles, not used cars.

Now Mazda warranty If the oil leak is due to a defect in a covered component (like a gasket or a worn-out seal), it's more likely to be covered however, Mazda excludes drain plug-related failures.

But if Mazda changed oil then can still be liable for plug related failures. So who changed oil. Was it the Mazda dealer or Dodge. Check your car fax.

I once bought a BMW used from a non BMW dealer. My car fax showed it was traded into a BMW dealer they did the BMW servicing. However, did not see in 30 days on their lot so put it online into this dealer only network and another non-BMW place bought it and then I bought it.

Lots of time dealer selling may not have changed oil. My GMC SUV I bought at a Cadillac dealer was traded in with oil change recently done at GMC dealer by prior owner.

True but if they conducted the inspection which is required to sell a car and signed off that all parts were there AND/OR that they did an oil change. If they said they checked the oil and changed but then say they didnt- thats a problem. If they did the oil change and signed off on all parts but theres evidence that the plug was not replaced and oil leaked everywhere then thats also a problem. It will also be apparent if they added oil in the inspection report and now its empty. OP- your purchase papers should include the inspection report.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Considering cost of car Lemon law does not apply in DMV. Even if used has to be less than 18 months old.

In Virginia, the Virginia Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act (Lemon Law) may apply to used cars if they were purchased new within the past 18 months and if they have mechanical or safety defects that can't be fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts. If the vehicle is older than 18 months or not covered by the original manufacturer's warranty, the Lemon Law likely won't apply, but other remedies might be available.

In Maryland, the Lemon Law covers used cars, but with specific conditions. It applies if the car has been driven less than 18,000 miles and owned for less than 24 months, or if the first owner purchased the vehicle within that timeframe.

n Washington D.C., the Lemon Law generally applies to new vehicles, not used cars.

Now Mazda warranty If the oil leak is due to a defect in a covered component (like a gasket or a worn-out seal), it's more likely to be covered however, Mazda excludes drain plug-related failures.

But if Mazda changed oil then can still be liable for plug related failures. So who changed oil. Was it the Mazda dealer or Dodge. Check your car fax.

I once bought a BMW used from a non BMW dealer. My car fax showed it was traded into a BMW dealer they did the BMW servicing. However, did not see in 30 days on their lot so put it online into this dealer only network and another non-BMW place bought it and then I bought it.

Lots of time dealer selling may not have changed oil. My GMC SUV I bought at a Cadillac dealer was traded in with oil change recently done at GMC dealer by prior owner.

Not OP
However thanks for sharing this

[Anonymous]

Get a lawyer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For others reading:

First mistake: Not inspecting better.
Second mistake: Towing the car to the Dodge dealership where the car was purchased so recently. More leverage to make them deal with what was clearly their mistake.

As to OP, I would call Dodge dealership and tell them what happened, then be prepared to make noise.

First: inspecting “better” for most consumers is ridiculous. How will they notice a small missing bolt or misaligned rod. In this case, HOW WOULD HE IDENTIFY THAT THE OIL DRAIN PLUS WAS ONLY HAND TIGHTENED. By looking at it? It’s insane. That’s why they got a warranty.

Second: why should you tow it to dodge dealership? How does that change leverage?

[Anonymous]

Did the red “oil light” illuminate on the dashboard?

[Anonymous]

My question is owners come back how can a Dodge Dealer CPO a Mazda? I bought a used GMC at a Cadillac Dealer recently. Only 21 months old with 9K miles but he could not CPO it as only a GMC dealer can. He could sell me a third party warranty, which I did not buy.

I bet Dodge Dealership did a third party warranty which is why they said take it to a Mazda dealership. Mazda would fix car something happens in 90 days and bill warranty company.

Now Mazda comes with a factory warranty coverage includes a New Vehicle Limited Warranty (36 months/36,000 miles) and a Limited Powertrain Warranty (60 months/60,000 miles), both of which are transferable.

So if you bought used and under 60 months old and under 60,000 miles perhaps if you push it maybe Mazda might help

How old is this car and how many miles. BTW third party warranties are trash. They are like Pet Insurance always a loophole.

[Anonymous]

What happened?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What happened?

OP is either trolling or not providing full info. Impossible to believe.