Transportation, Cars and Scams: Burning rubber

Burning rubber

By Anonymous - 16/05/2021 00:01

Today, I bought a car that literally caught fire seconds after I started the engine. The dealership then fobbed me off, saying I'd driven it off their forecourt (by about 3 yards), so it was entirely my problem, but they still expect my monthly payments to be on time. FML

I agree, your life sucks 1 179

You deserved it 85

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Same thing different taste

By exalia - 07/05/2012 20:40 - United Kingdom - London

Today, I finally bought a car, after saving up for a year. My dealer had told me it was a good buy, so I snapped it up then and there. On the way home, the rear axle practically fell out of the car due to frame rot. My dealer wants to buy the car back at half the price. FML

I agree, your life sucks 13 075

You deserved it 30 264

Sounds like a scam

By Onlymeiswear - 15/03/2021 05:01

Today, I bought a car. Made a down payment and everything. Have the papers saying it’s mine, only to find out a few hours later it was sold right before I bought it. FML

I agree, your life sucks 965

You deserved it 71

By AnonymousOne - 08/12/2016 10:57

Today, I took my car to dealer because of the loud knocking sound I heard while driving it. Twenty-four hours later, they told me it was fixed. Fifteen minutes after I drove away, the tire flew off my car while I was on the highway. My car is now totaled. FML

I agree, your life sucks 11 081

You deserved it 636

Baby you can't drive your car

By BoyRacer - 21/11/2023 05:00

Today, I picked up my first ever brand new car. Top of the line, beautiful, can't be happier. However, trying to insure it, the company has taken my money, but not completed the deal, and therefore I'm not insured. Their customer service knows this in an online fault and I have to wait for them to refund. FML

I agree, your life sucks 419

You deserved it 87

By Lisa - 04/11/2010 14:42 - United States

Today, I received an overdue bill for my now nonexistent car that caught fire in July. FML

I agree, your life sucks 28 173

You deserved it 3 565

Ouch

By Anonymous - 17/02/2018 15:00

Today, accustomed to dealing with my old car's faulty accelerator, I pressed the pedal way too hard in my new car and crashed into a pillar, totaling the engine, and giving myself a concussion. I could still see the dealership down the street. FML

I agree, your life sucks 2 534

You deserved it 4 203

Baby driver

By Holland - 04/04/2019 12:00

Today, my check engine light came on. I took my car to the dealership, to be told it wasn’t an issue, and I would be fine to drive and use my car normally until my appointment in 4 days. Four hours later, my car won’t start 45 minutes from home. I guess a $200 tow bill means I wasn’t fine. FML

I agree, your life sucks 2 113

You deserved it 168

By Kelleee - 30/09/2017 20:00

Today, I paid £200 for a car service to make sure everything was running okay. I got the all clear that everything was perfect and all necessary fluids topped up. I then wrote the car off 20 minutes later in an accident. FML

I agree, your life sucks 3 159

You deserved it 453

Whoops

By mmv - 18/09/2009 00:02 - United States

Today, I took my car into the shop to get a minor problem fixed. I left several hours later, without my car. Why? The mechanic crashed it while out on a test drive to make sure he'd fixed the problem. FML

I agree, your life sucks 41 095

You deserved it 2 151

And then.....

By Emmpag - 02/02/2020 01:00 - South Africa - Johannesburg

Today, I bought my very first car that I spent years saving for. A few hours after I signed all the papers, I let my boyfriend go for a test drive. He totaled it. FML

I agree, your life sucks 2 279

You deserved it 796

Kraths 16

Sunday 16 May 2021 1:01

And that is why consumer protection laws exist

TwoBytesCarley 26

Sunday 16 May 2021 1:08

May need to find yourself an attorney but, unless you were making mechanical changes to the vehicle before you drove it off their lot, you are due either a) the dealership repairing your vehicle to its original condition -which seems unlikely or worthwhile so b) a replacement vehicle that is similar to the damaged one or c) and I highly recommend this choice since this dealership doesn’t seem to be very consumer friendly, the ability to end the contract.

Comments

Kraths 16

Sunday 16 May 2021 1:01

And that is why consumer protection laws exist

SM79 6

Sunday 16 May 2021 1:05

most states have lemon laws to protect the consumer.

faifai_fml 21

Monday 17 May 2021 1:16

Due to the words "fobbed me off" and "forecourt", I'm getting the feeling this took place in the UK.

SM79 6

Monday 17 May 2021 1:29

Okay...? and I'm sure the UK probably has cinsumer protection laws that the o.p. should/should have looked into.

TwoBytesCarley 26

Sunday 16 May 2021 1:08

kfchicken 31

Sunday 16 May 2021 10:03

also always get an inspection. come on man trusting salespeople is just asking to get screwed

thatslifeiguess7 16

Sunday 16 May 2021 6:09

You didn't test drive the car first? Look under the hood? Take someone with you?

jc1015 25

Sunday 16 May 2021 7:50

don't pay...let them repo it then you're only out the down payment, they get no more of your money, and they're stuck with a 2 ton toasted paperweight

slkeithh 14

Sunday 16 May 2021 7:51

Yeah that's definitely not how that works.

DarkAngelsBlade 25

Tuesday 18 May 2021 3:54

No that's pretty much how it works the only thing missing is the credit but with the fact that it caught on fire 3 yards from the dealership you can probably get that removed. If they even tried a lawsuit to get their money they would end up paying them counter lawsuit.

slkeithh 14

Sunday 16 May 2021 7:50

Judging by the OP's use of vocabulary (fobbed, forecourt) I imagine they're not in the US so can't say what laws are in place. Surely there is something to be done. Waiting for an update, OP!!