Beware of Auto Rows such as 82nd Ave in Portland Oregon, They can be a sea of poorer quality cars – Part 1

This has been an interesting week. I’ve been turning away more and more inspections for vehicles located on 82nd Ave in Portland, Oregon as the gap between what will actually pass my inspections and is actually worth pursuing is becoming very slim.  This last Sunday a gentleman purchased an 01 Porsche Boxter with 89K miles from an established 82nd dealer with a fancy website. Being Sunday and wanting to get him in the car that had been sitting on their lot for 3 months they told him they’d give him a 36 hour “right of return” stating they would take it back if he had it inspected and the inspection revealed a “Major mechanical failure” He decided to contact me Monday but unfortunately I was booked for the day and wasn’t able to get to him until Tuesday afternoon. Unfortunately that was too late as he only had till 12:00 on Tuesday. Knowing where he purchased the car and the likely fact it was not likely a good car I decided to fit him in Monday afternoon. I’m glad I was able to so, this was one of the worst quality cars I’ve seen in a long time.

• About the only panel on the car that hadn’t been painted was the hood. There was shotty bodywork throughout.
• The driver’s door had been replaced.
• Both doors didn’t fully close flush with the body – there was a ¼”- 1/2” gap on each
• The LR QTR panel had been replaced – and poorly at that.
• There was standing water in the passenger floorboard and under the seat.  The salesman told him the window was left down the night before but there was actually mold everywhere in the vehicle, engine compartment (which is actually carpeted and inside the car in the Boxter) and the Trunk (hood) this is a leak that has existed for a LONG time, after all it had been hit several times and is a convertible at that. Mold in a car = Health Hazard.  There was water actually leaking out of the floorboards under the car.
• The windshield washer pump sprayed water out of the LF bumper when used.
• Several lights around the car were inoperative including brake lights.
• Upon pressure testing the cooling system I found a coolant leaking from the right side of the engine.

Figuring we had more than enough to report we decided to call the inspection short. I didn’t finish or drive the car as he wanted nothing to do with the car and I couldn’t blame him.  He immediately called the dealer up and of course they said they wouldn’t take the car back since we didn’t find a “Major Mechanical Failure”.  He immediately contacted a lawyer, canceled his check and decided to take the car back the following morning.  When he arrived they agreed to take the car back based on my findings. This car is now back on 82nd where someone who won’t think to have it inspected will buy it and it will be back on the road. The

Carfax was clean and AutoCheck showed “Frame Damage”. Further proving what I say about Carfax reports benefitting and being geared towards dealers more so that consumers.

Truthfully, he got lucky.  Oregon is an “As Is” state meaning there is no recourse when buying a poor quality vehicle.  You should always have the vehicle inspected PRIOR to purchasing.

Please be an educated buyer – Be sure to do your research on the vehicle you’re considering, the company you’re dealing with, and most importantly don’t buy without having your next potential purchase Pre-Purchase Inspected before making an offer.

Josh

http://PDXinspections.com

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