Motor Trends, Inc. Michael Dodds PURCHASED USED CAR THAT BROKE DOWN TWICE, LESS THAN 2 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE! Alvin Texas

I purchased a 2011 Mercedes E550 from Motor Trends on or about June 9, 2015. On or about June 27, 2015, the car would not start. I called Mercedes Benz roadside assistance to come by and look. They checked the battery and key fobs to no avail. The car was towed to a local Mercedes dealership. After diagnosing the car, Mercedes determined that the ignition lock cylinder and the steering lock needed to be replaced. A look at the Car Fax indicated that the steering lock was previously replaced October 2013, less than two years earlier. Mercedes charged roughly $600 to these deficiencies. On or about July 16, 2015, the car again would not start.

Again, I had Mercedes Benz roadside assistance come out to look, to no avail. The car was again towed to the same Mercedes dealership. I contacted the owner of Motor Trends, Mr. Michael Dodds on July 16, 2015, to discuss the issues with this car. He advised me to take the car to the Mercedes dealership and let them diagnose it and he would work with me to resolve the issues. Mr. Dodds provided me his phone# and told me to give him a call once i heard from Mercedes. I called Mr. Dodds on July 17/18 and left a message, to discuss the ongoing problem with the car. Mr. Dodds has yet to return my phone call. Mercedes charged me an additional $450 to diagnose the default and replace the battery.

In less than 2 months after purchasing this car, it has now failed to start on two occasions requiring it to be towed to the Mercedes Dealership. The cost of these repairs exceeds $1000 and I am requesting that Motor Trends, Inc. and Mike Dodds refund me for my inconvenience and out of pocket expenses for the repairs conducted to make this car operable again. It is unreasonable to purchase a used vehicle from a lot with the expectation that it will break down on you twice in less than two months and be expected to pay for the repairs on top of the expense you have already paid for the vehicle. A more thorough inspection of the vehicle by the dealership may have diagnosed these issues prior to selling the car. The sales representative advised me that they do not even do an oil change on these cars prior to placing them on the lot for sale.