I have purchased probably twelve vehicles in my life time and most of them have been used; so I guess it was the luck of draw that I would get burned by some slimy fast talking con man. On July 11, I purchased a 2001 Mercedes E430 from Action Auto Sales in Cypress, California. This is a small dealership owned by Daniel which seems to sale mostly European automobiles. After some wrangling with the finance company I was finally approved to pick up my Mercedes, however a little more background information should be injected at this time. Daniel informed me that his mother had driven this car for six months and it was in perfect condition, essentially this was persuasive information to me, because I figured what kind of a person would let their mother drive around in a faulty car. I picked up the vehicle and immediately the check engine light started to illuminate; now I'm not an automotive expert but I know that is generally an emissions problem when a check engine light comes on in most late model vehicles with computers on board. Shortly after that incident I noticed that the car started to use an excessive amount of gasoline and there was a foul odor coming from underneath the vehicle. I immediately took the car to an authorized Mercedes-Benz Dealership, and was told by a Mercedes technician that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced and the oxygen sensors which would cost me $3,000.00 in parts and labor, because the Mercedes-Benz manufacturer warranty on the catalytic converter expires at 85,000 miles. I was also informed that there was no way that my car should have past emissions which is a California State requirement before a vehicle can be sold. Subsequent to my conversation with Mercedes I contacted the California Department of Motor Vehicles and was informed that any dealership engaged in bypassing emissions standard testing is committing FRAUD! Moreover, based on this information I will be opening an investigation with the Department of Motor Vehicles to get Action Auto Sales dealer's license revoked. Buyer bewares of this scam artist! He also conducts ebay auctions, his user name is * actionoc*.
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