Used car broke down immediately after buying from a dead dealership
When a used car dealership goes out of business right after a sale, buyers are left paying thousands out of pocket for unexpected mechanical repairs while finance companies dismiss the failures as normal wear and tear. This constant cycle of breakdowns drains savings and creates deep anxiety, leaving drivers terrified that something else will fail every time they get behind the wheel.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Taking the car to an authorized brand dealership for a proper inspectionDid this help you?
- 2Contacting warranty providers and finance companies to dispute responsibilityDid this help you?
- 3Taking it easy for a while and continuing to monitor the vehicle's performance during drives.Did this help you?
- 4Saving extra money for inevitable repairsDid this help you?
- 5Learning how to fix cars independentlyDid this help you?
- 6Avoiding cheap turbocharged high-mileage vehiclesDid this help you?
- 7Replacing the damaged hose and filling up the coolantDid this help you?
- 8Hiring a mobile mechanicDid this help you?
- 9Doing a compression test or checking the oil for contamination to detect head gasket damageDid this help you?
- 10Selling the car for parts or to a junkyardDid this help you?
- 11Getting a second opinion or quotes from independent local mechanicsDid this help you?
- 12Sourcing a used or recycled junkyard engine to cut down repair costsDid this help you?
- 13Taking out a 0% introductory rate credit card to finance the repairDid this help you?
- 14Borrowing money from family to pay for engine replacementDid this help you?
- 15having people look at it to diagnose potential issues like a CVT or BCMDid this help you?
- 16testing for mold under the mats and seatsDid this help you?
- 17Getting a personal loan for the difference to pay off the remaining negative equityDid this help you?
- 18Continuing to make car payments and saving up until the loan can be paid offDid this help you?
- 19Seeking legal routes or small claims courtDid this help you?
- 20Talking to a lawyer for a consultationDid this help you?
- 21Checking state lemon lawsDid this help you?
- 22Researching consumer protection acts such as the Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices ActDid this help you?
- 23Requesting service and inspection recordsDid this help you?
- 24Getting an independent pre-purchase inspection or bringing your own mechanicDid this help you?
- 25keep an eye on it and see if it goes away with wearDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Ok so I have a 2021 r line fwd Tiguan and my check engine light turned on as well as epc light.”source ↗
“My oil pan had gotten down to about 1/2 a quart of oil in my car because of the leakage so when I brought the car about 40 minutes away the camshaft was grinding against the metal in my engine and started flaking into the oil pan. I have no extended warranty.”source ↗
“They recommended me a new engine coming close to $8,000. I just bought this car three-four months ago. I’m only 19 and I’m really torn because I financed this car all by myself and pay about $460 a month for it.”source ↗
“I was thinking of selling it but I have no clue how to sell a financed car. I have around $16,000 that I owe on the car still (69/72 payments left.)”source ↗
“Besides all this I feel so empty, stupid, and lost in this world and I wish things were better, for everyone, it is so easy to be taken advantage of financially and pushed into a hole.”source ↗
“I took it for repair and the day after I picked it up the coolant exploded everywhere.”source ↗
“On her way home is when all the lights turned on and it started smoking. Unfortunately she did keep driving for like 5 more minutes.”source ↗
“I towed it back to the shop and was told the gash is probably from wear and tear and that it’s not possible for the belt to have slashed the hose because it’s too far away. I’m having a hard time believing that and feel like they’re gaslighting me.”source ↗
“I’m so scared there is engine damage, I’m putting her through nursing school and tuition is kicking my butt.”source ↗
“after buying it with problems, I’s honestly a bit paranoid every time I drive it. I keep expecting something else to go wrong.”source ↗
“Since the past week a few issues have arised.”source ↗
“The finance company who sorted papers out claimed every part of this is wear and tear.”source ↗
“Dealership has gone bust. In such a short span of time.”source ↗
“Tiny bit stressed writing this 😭”source ↗
“Constant issues and thousands of dollars of repairs that I did myself.”source ↗
“How could all of this not be noticed and any point?”source ↗
“How is it possible the car broke down less than a week and 60miles after purchase.”source ↗
“a flush right before selling is a huge red flag honestly, sometimes it's a hail mary to quiet down a transmission that's already on its way out.”source ↗
“10 minutes after I bought it, it randomly started showing the oil light at idle and overheated.”source ↗
“Am I looking at scrap at this point?”source ↗
“my issue and question is why didn’t they catch these problems on the 1st or 2nd visit?”source ↗
“I asked the repair shop multiple times to send me records of the first 2 visits. He said since it’s under warranty he doesn’t have them”source ↗
“I couldn’t make this up if I tried. Just so weird like you I don’t believe this to be real. I feel scammed.”source ↗
“Originally I thought the wheel bearing started to go bad, but it appears to be from the brakes. The question is: do I need to do anything about it, or should I just keep an eye on it and see if it goes away with wear?”source ↗
“$1200 cars with issues are not $1200 cars. Unless you have a bunch more saved up, are good with a wrench, and know how to fix a car. This will likely be far more expensive than you expected.”source ↗
“Looking for a new car with a low budget (I’m 16) since my current car has a bunch of problems.”source ↗
“Hi! I have a 2015 Nissan Rogue with approx 85,000 miles that I just got that is causing me issues.”source ↗
“underneath the steering wheel (steering column, gas pedal, brake pedal) and underneath the front seats there is significant rust, exposed wires, orange gel like material, and water damage.”source ↗
“it has died on me twice now, and both times when I’ve had people look at it they’ve told me it’s not safe or reliable lol?”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
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- 21How to handle random car error codes and weird driving feelings
- 4How to temporarily fix a broken car part until shop appointment
- 2Driving a damaged car when you can't afford the repairs