AUTOMOBILE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION 2005 APA Used Car Investigation - Vancouver
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#
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DEALER
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VEHICLE
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RATING
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COMMENTS
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1
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City Gate Motors
2290 Main Street Vancouver B.C.
V5T 3C7
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Toyota Camry XLE 1997 4T1BF22K2VU000644
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Fail
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1997 Camry with 120,000 km, actually a repainted former Yellow Cab with 500,000 + km. Offsite inspection not permitted. Car failed emissions test in November 2003 at 502,000 km.
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2
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888 Auto Sales
715 Kinsway
Vancouver B.C.
V5V 3C2
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Mazda 626 ES 1993 1YVGE22BXP5137710
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Fail
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Vehicle not roadworthy at time of sale, engine overheating during road test. Offsite inspection not permitted. Indicated mileage of 112,655 km. not consistent with poor condition of the vehicle. Fenders & bumper repainted, paint peeling on roof, frame rails damaged (rails from shock towers to front damaged due to front impact, coolant low & a red-brown color, temperature guage at red (hot) maximum level during road test.
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3
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Automotive Clearance Center
1842 East Hastings Vancouver B.C.
V5L 1T2
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Chev MonteCarlo 1996 2G1WW12M9T9115004
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Fail
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Ford Windstar in ad "very good shape, well-maintained." Interior covered in mold. Not habitable. Monte Carlo not in ad had extensive collision repairs (represented as maybe a small one) & a big antifreeze leak (represented as leaking because overfilled).
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4
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Advance Auto Sales
12757 King George Highway Surrey B.C. V3V 3K7
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Dodge Caravan 1999 2B4GP25G7XR128566
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Fail
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Misrepresented collision damage "on extra clean" van in the ad. History search shows a salvage title was issued in Dec. 04 & a rebuilt title certificate in Jan. 05. Significant structural damage to the A & B pillars and badly repaired. APA inspection reveals road visible through badly adjusted side door when it is closed. Driver's door replaced and wiring for power windows and door locks cut and taped. Dealer provides form that shows van passed ICBC inspection.
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5
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Road Star Auto Sales
12521 King George Highway Surrey B.C. V3V 3K3
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Chev Venture 2000 1GNDU23E4YD248806
Dodge Caravan 1999 2B4FP253XXR189855
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Results pending
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Results pending
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6
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Quest Auto Group
12755 King George Highway Surrey B.C. V3V 3K7
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Plymouth Voyager 1997 1P4GP44R4VB416229
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Fail
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Inconsistent odometer reading: Emissions inspection in June 2000 at 155,000 miles in Texas & sold at auction in June 2001 with 186,000 miles. Passed emissions with 94, 000 km in 2002 in BC. Misrepresented vehicle as being from Seattle and in Vancouver since 1998. Mileage on vehicle on the lot 168,000 miles. Lots of body filler in the fenders, doors, and rear quarter panels. Salesperson says no accident. Replacement transmissiom leaking fluid. Road test not permitted unless shoppers signed contract subject to inspection. Dealer relented after shoppers complained.
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7
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Legacy Auto Group
12521 King George Highway Surrey B.C. V3V 3K3
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Dodge Grand Caravan 19972B4GP4534UR124349
Chev Venture 1998 1GNDX03E9WD241617
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Pass
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Caravan advertised "excellent condition, one owner." Dealer says Caravan not inspected. Steering & transmission leaks, motor oil low & smoking, misfiring. Disclosed front end collision on the Venture, antifreeze low, battery dead, intake leaking. Price includes a 3 month warranty.
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8
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Parkwood Auto Sales
16090 Fraser Highway Surrey B.C. V3S 2W8
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Chev Astro Van 1999 1GNDM19W3XB136681
Chev Venture 2001
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Fail
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Misleading ad " 0 % financing APR down payment" does not mean 0 %. Dealer says it means "0 % over prime". Forbes Financial (a brokerage firm) "handles the financing." Dealer disclosed front collision on the Venture. Ad says very clean, actually rough. Astro represented as no accident and certified. Hood, bumper and fender repainted. History search found an inconsistent mileage reading on the Astro. Vehicle was serviced on May 17, 2002 with 126,000 miles and on January 17, 2004 it was listed as having 123,031 miles. Dealer says 278,000 km.
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9
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Adanac Motors
5689 Byrne Road Burnaby B.C.
V5J 3J3
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Oldsmobile Achieva 1995 1G3NL53M0SM329804
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Pass
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Dealer points error in engine size in the ad. Dealer declared accident. Showed ICBC report and inspection/repairs report. No doc fees "Why do I have to charge you for something I have to do anyways". Inspection off-site possible. Good info from salesperson Dan Sayers.
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10
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GN Motors
5730 Marine Drive Burnaby B.C.
V5J 3G8
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Ford Taurus Wagon 2000 1FAFP58U3YA183013
Ford Taurus sedan 1999 1FAFP52U3XG161999
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Fail
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Taurus sedan had broken glass on dash and rear window. The antifreeze was very low. The engine light was on, brakes pulsing, temperature needle goes up too high on the road test.
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11
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Canem Auto
5689 Byrne Road Burnaby B.C.
V5J 3J3
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Plymouth Grand Voyager 1997
2P4GP44RXVR169624
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Results pending
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Results pending
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12
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Platinum Import Auto
7645 Edmonds St. Burnaby B.C.
V3N 1B6
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Subaru Legacy L/Alpine AWD 1994
4T1VK12W5PU053069
Toyota Camry LE 1993 4E1Vk12W5PU053069
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Fail
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Ad says 140,000 km, Subaru has over 250,000 km.History search indicates last known mileage to be 178,138 miles Passed emissions June 23, 2004 in Auburn Washington at 173,822 miles. The Camry was described as mint in the ad. Inspection shows fenders, hood, front bumper replaced and front impact on the frame. Misrepresented mileage on the Camry. Ad says '120,000 km``, on odometre 173,000 km. History search reveals last reported mileage was 163,345 miles.
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13
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Milani Auto Sales
6951 East Hastings St. Burnaby B.C. V5B 1S9
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Honda Civic 1998 2HGEJ633XWH000332
Nissan Quest 1993 4N2DN11W1PD840445
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Pass
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Ford Explorer in the ad not available, in the shop for electric door locks repair. Major collision damage on the Civic. Dealer showed accident report which indicated three claims, 2 low amounts and one no amount recorded. Dealer said if claim was paid in cash it would still be recorded. Quest had extensive repaint, including black paint on underbody & exhaust leak. Dealer says don't touch vehicles involved in an accident.
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14
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Carter Honda 2390 Burrard Street Vancouver B.C.
V6J 3J1
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Honda Civic 1995 JHMEG866XSS800063
Honda Accord 1995 1HGCD563XSA805180
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Fail
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Misleading ad for the Civic, ad reads "no accidents". Aftermarket fenders, right side doors had body filler and were repainted. Right side quarter panels were also repainted. After road test dealer said he found one accident claim over $2000, others smaller. The larger claim was a theft loss cash settlement. Salesperson had no knowledge of ad content but regarded theft loss not a collision and would try to lower the retail price.
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15
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Lansdowne Saturn Saab
5660 Minoru Blvd. Richmond B.C V6X 2A9
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Pontiac Sunfire GT 1997 3G2JD12T7VS814432
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Fail
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Excessive administration fees of $399. Dealer did not declare left front fender replaced and a full repaint. Ad reads 80,000 km. Car had in fact 88,000 km. Dealer misrepresented safety inspection done and vehicle ready to go. Brakes vibrating, air bag light on, ball joints and the tie rod ends and seat rails were loose. Inspection form shown was confusing as to what was repaired.
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16
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Vancouver Chrysler Dodge Jeep
1577 Main Street Vancouver B.C.
V6A 2W5
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Chrysler Intrepid 1998 2C3HH46R0WH143905
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Fail
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Buyers looked at an Intrepid at salesperson's suggestion. Frontal collision not declared. Inspection shows full repaint & front body panels re-adjusted. Dealer will show inspection & repairs done when buyers ready to buy. Dealer provides a 50% parts & labor warranty for 30 days.
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17
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Wolfe Mazda
1595 Boundary Road Vancouver B.C.
V5K 4T9
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Honda Civic SI 1993
Mercury Sable 1998
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Pass
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Salesperson chose better vehicle of the two the shoppers looked at. Accurate disclosure of collision damage on the Civic and good warranty info. Good info from salesperson Clement Wu.
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18
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Brown Brothers Ford
270 S.E. Marine Drive Vancouver B.C.
V5X 2S6
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Ford Escort 1999 3FAFP15P6XR198200
Honda Civic 2001 1HGEM21541L800141
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Pass
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Among two vehicles, salesperson chose the advertised Escort as a better car and declared collision damage on the Civic. Good exchange policy and advertised vehicle available. Good info from salesperson, Charlie Xu.
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19
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Dueck
400 S.E. Marine Drive Vancouver B. C.
V5X 4X2
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Chev Cavalier 2001
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Fail
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Ad says "2001 Cev Cavaliers starting from $6495". Vehicle sold two days before the ad appeared. Dealer was not prepared to honor the price. High administration fee of $420 (includes preparation and a form of insurance in the event of a total loss claim.)
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20
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West Coast Ford Lincoln
20370 Lougheed Highway Maple Ridge B.C.
V2X 2P8
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Hyundai Accent 2002
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Pass
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Ad reads "Guaranteed $3000 Trade-In" & "Don't pay till June 2005 on all pre-owned vehicles," & 3 day/3000 km money back guarantee." This dealer gets a pass based on the probability of misprint on the 3 day/300 km moneyback guarantee. The salesperson didn't seem to be aware of error which was actually 300 km, and not 3000 km as advertised. All info was disclosed to the buyers including the fact that interest is accrued if buyers chose to start payments in June as ad states.
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