Hey guys,

I'm done with Koeppel Mazda and wanted to get the word out. Basically, I bought a used RX8 that supposedly went through a 150 point inspection. I relied on the fact that this was a Mazda dealership claiming to have performed a 150 point inspection, and not some random dealership up the block. If this was a random dealership I would have spent more time inspecting the car for any problems.

Somehow the 150 point inspection did not pick up the fact that the car had no brakes

Despite only putting 500 miles on the car before I took it in for the first complimentary oil change, Koeppel told me that my brakes needed to be replaced. I thought it was ridiculous that the brakes had to be changed after driving it for less than 500 miles. When I examined them myself, I saw little grooves forming in the rotors. There was no meat in the break pads!

As a result, I would have had to replace the rotors AND pads. What else, when looking back at the 150 point inspection checklist; all items have a check next to them but the brakes item is circled! Koeppel KNEW the car had no brakes, but made a business decision not to fix it before selling in order to maximize their profit I really hope the extra $300 was worth it....



I just wish I had spent more time inspecting it myself instead of relying on their report. It also would have been fine if they just told me the car had no brake pads, and I'd have to replace it. At least then there is a chance that I'd only have to replace pads and not the pads and rotors.

This is on top of the other random bullshit I've found, such as a crack in the windshield, damage on the tires (the outer part of the tire was literally peeling off), and a scratched to hell exterior that was hidden under globs on wax. In fact, Koeppel sprayed over the entire car in clear-coat to hide the scratches (I can tell now from the overspray on the windshield and all the windows, they didn't even cover them off before spraying).

Here's the checklist, I know it's small but guess what's circled (brakes pad above 50%):



I've been fighting Koeppel to have them fix it, and even kept the car garaged and off-insurance for awhile, but have finally given up. My advice, STAY AWAY!!!

 

Awful story. This is why I don't like going to the dealership. I always feel like they are secretly f*cking me over.

Good luck!

 

Sorry it sounds like there was a lot of confusion and you're now in a tough spot......

Just to clarify here.....so basically they sold you the car and didn't mention the brakes verbally? But they DID give you the inspection report that had a check next to everything EXCEPT the brakes? Did you ask them about the brakes when you bought it? I wouldnt necessarily expect them to replace the pads before selling without prompting. I'm sure if you brought it up and asked them to do it before agreeing to buy it, they probably would have, but I dont know if i would assume that....
It's not like the inspection report said the brakes were OK....

 

You're better off with Wantagh Mazda, which is the ONLY Mazda dealership in NY I would go to.

Giuffre and Koeppel are notorious for being scam artists. Just read online. They're absolutely disgusting. My friend knows a kid that works at Koeppel and he was told that they do the shadiest things you could imagine.

Wayne Mazda in NJ is top notch for anything major. A bit of a travel though.

 

I was told the car went through and passed the complete 150 point inspection, including the brake check (meaning the brakes had more than 50% life). I was specifically told that they would not be able to provide me with the CPO Warranty (1 year bumper-to-bumper) from Mazda unless it had passed all 150 items. The inspection report has a check next to everything, and a circle on the brakes. I was told the "circle" meant that the mechanic verified that the brakes were good, which was weird because the mechanic put a check next to everything else. They were just lying out of their asses.