Repairs to cost thousands
When the Nshizirungus took the Rogue to a mechanic, it was discovered that the car had been in a major accident before they purchased it. Getting it repaired would cost them $13,000.
“It’s not rebuilt correctly,” Kado A. Kado, owner of Rapid Auto Repair and Colliso, told Target 8. “There are screws that aren’t supposed to be here, just to hold the parts together. As you can see, there’s exposed metal here. There’s rust. So, this should have been replaced. You can kind of cover all of this up with just putting a bumper on. In this case, that’s what they [Lee Auto Export] did.”
Kado estimated the Rogue's current value at around $10,000, far below the $17,000 purchase price.
The family reached out to Steve Beukema, who volunteers his time working with refugee families. And it was Beukema who brought their story to Target 8.
“This family struggles financially day by day,” Beukema told Target 8. “(They) came from very, very difficult circumstances, living in refugee camps. … I am so outraged that a business is allowed to continue using a model of preying upon the most vulnerable among us.”
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How did this happen?
When Moise Nshizirungu's mother purchased the SUV, she signed a document indicating the purchase was “as-is.” Buying a vehicle as-is means the buyer agrees to purchase it in its current condition, with no warranties or guarantees from the seller.
It also means the seller isn’t responsible for any repairs, damages, or defects after the sale is complete.
This meant the Nshizirungus had no recourse when the car ended up being worth far less than the purchase price and needed significant repairs. In Michigan, salvage titles must be approved by a person licensed in mechanical repair and pass an independent inspection before being returned to the road. (The laws are similar in Wyoming, where the Nshizirungus bought their SUV.)
Target 8 News reported that Molly Pham, the longtime office manager at Lee Auto Export, was the approver. This means the vehicle was both repaired and approved by the same company.
How to safeguard yourself when buying a used car
Nshizirungu and his mother’s experience offers an important lesson for car buyers. Consumers should generally avoid purchasing cars "as-is" and instead opt for cars that offer a warranty. Repaired or used cars from many dealerships offer a warranty period of at least three months, which covers repair costs during that time.
While a warranty may cost extra, they ensure your purchase is protected.
Pulling a car report from companies like CarFax can provide important information about the vehicle, including accident damage reports, title problems, and odometer readings. Had Nshizirungu’s mother known to pull a CarFax report, she would have seen the SUV had been in an accident and could have made a more informed choice about her purchase.
Finally, consider having the car inspected by an independent mechanic before finalizing a purchase. Paying an independent mechanic to inspect the car ensures you get an unbiased opinion about the vehicle’s current value — and hopefully help you avoid any nasty surprises down the road.
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