Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

I recently purchased a used vehicle from a Ford Dealership in PA. But I live in Maryland. The vehicle in question was (apparently) PA State Inspected prior to the purchase. The was Sold as a used car at the dealership in question. And not sold as-is.
When I brought the vehicle back into Maryland, I went and had it Maryland Inspected. There I was informed both Rotors were bad and the Lower Control Arm Ball Joints needed to be replaced. I have since attempted to talk to the General Manager of the Dealership, but he has blatantly told me that his Inspector has passed the car and that what ever Maryland inspection say, is not his concern. I have also asked him that if I was to bring the car back into Pennsylvania and had a service department there do a Pennsylvania State Safety Inspection and also come out with the same thing, if he would assist or do any thing about it. He once again bluntly advised me that he wouldn’t do anything and once again, that it wasn’t his concern. The Warranty that the Vehicle has from the dealership is only for Power Tran and Engine.
I am currently working with Maryland State Police to verify that these things are NEEDED. After this, is there anything that I can do not to get ripped off now from this dealership. And attempt to get some justice and have a car that actually is good?

They may be trying to con you into getting rotors you don't even need. I'm not saying the dealer is right and the MD guy is wrong but PA inspection restrictions are pretty strict and if you do need rotors but they passed it anyway both the dealer and the mechanic can have their licenses yanked.

How does it stop? Do the brakes pulsate or anything? Do you notice any other stopping problems? Most of the time when you need rotors it's no secret as you can feel they are shot.

They may be trying to con you into getting rotors you don't even need. I'm not saying the dealer is right and the MD guy is wrong but PA inspection restrictions are pretty strict and if you do need rotors but they passed it anyway both the dealer and the mechanic can have their licenses yanked.

How does it stop? Do the brakes pulsate or anything? Do you notice any other stopping problems? Most of the time when you need rotors it's no secret as you can feel they are shot.
The brakes seem OK... Infact Today, i had my car re-inspected by the Maryland State police to verify that the Rotors and the Lower Control Arm Ball Joints needed to be replaced... They said per Chysler, since they had changed their specs on the Ball Joints, that was OK and will be able to pass. The Rotors were orrigianlly "turned" by the orrigianl dealer in PA. My biggets concern is not have got scammed by this dealer. And also, do I anything,if at all, anything I can do legally to the dealer.??

Every State Inspection Station/Mechanic in PA is subject to inspection by the PA State Police Garage Inspector. PSP has troopers assigned to do nothing but go from garage to garage to inspect their records and handle any complaints that are received , LIKE YOURS.

If you feel your vehicle should not have passed inspection but did at this dealer, you need to call the PSP barracks in the county that the dealership is in ( persuming that THEY did the state inspection) and file a complaint with them. You may need to go to another garage and get it re-inspected for a comparison. And you need to do this soon.


If it is in York County , the # is 717-428-1011.

The brakes seem OK... Infact Today, i had my car re-inspected by the Maryland State police to verify that the Rotors and the Lower Control Arm Ball Joints needed to be replaced... They said per Chysler, since they had changed their specs on the Ball Joints, that was OK and will be able to pass. The Rotors were orrigianlly "turned" by the orrigianl dealer in PA. My biggets concern is not have got scammed by this dealer. And also, do I anything,if at all, anything I can do legally to the dealer.??

Sounds like you didn't get scammed by the PA dealer sounds more like the MD guy is trying to scam you...MD state police said it was good enough to pass right?

Sounds like you didn't get scammed by the PA dealer sounds more like the MD guy is trying to scam you...MD state police said it was good enough to pass right?
Well..The Md State Inspector as well had advised me that the Service station as well as the Instpection Tech is and has a 16 year clean slate. Never had any issues or complaints. And the Md State Inspector seemed pretty OK aboout everything. He explained quite a bit to me about what happened and how it all happened. So, that part is OK.
Now, I may go back to Pennsylvania and have the car re-tested there as well. Then , i may have something I can say or do legally to the Dealership.