Buyers/sellers Beaware Of Stateroads

[theforce]

Buyers/Sellers BEAWARE of StateRoads

Just a heads up for potential buyers/sellers when requesting a vehicle inspection before purchase by StateRoads. The one in question is the Victoria branch. I had a buyer ask them to inspected my vehicle.

Their inspection is ONLY via hearing and visual checks, not dismantling components as stated in

their policy.

The inspector named Reece started disconnecting random connectors in the engine bay and cranking the engine after

each component was disconnected. After that the car wouldn't start even when everything was connected.

The inspector said that starting the car is not part of his job nor does he know what the problem is.

He jumped into his car and stormed off. Buyer was not interested anymore and I was left with a dead car.

I called the office and spoke to a Jo who asked me to email what happened, so I did. The next morning

she calls back and very rudely starting blasting at me that the vehicle is not their liability and

there not responsible for it, take us to court if you want and hanged up. That is all she said. I was shocked.

Called the office straight after and asked for manager but he was "away". Ended up speaking with someone who

was talking crap without even knowing what happened. He said he'll contact the inspector to call you.

Inspector calls and says that while he was disconnecting connectors 'someone' else may have cranked the car

which stuffed up the car. His story completely changed and started calling me a liar. Also said that he's not

a mechanic and cannot help.

I've lost my buyers and ended up with a dead car.

These guys are the worst people I have ever come across in my life. Both on a work level and simple manners.

I've never had any problems with RACV. The StateRoads employees that handled this situation are simply scums of sewers.

Posted this so nobody else should suffer like I did.

[Borci88]

Absolutely incredible... best of luck with whatever outcome you chase!

[Mr Eps]

Civil matter dude..

Take to court

[stig mick]

Dude that's absolutely ridiculas. Take it to court

The only problem I can see is how you go about proving the car was fine before hand.

I know it's abit late now. But if I were you the second I saw him disconnect a single thing I would have asked him to sign something stating he liable for any damage if he didnt tough luck and atleast you can sell your car to another buyer

Good luck fighting it I really hope you come out on top

[pistol-pete]

dude take em to court. get the buyer as your witness

win case?

[R31Nismoid]

Used state roads 3-4 times now, no issues. Will use again.

[stig mick]

Used state roads 3-4 times now, no issues. Will use again.

Maybe this particular inspector just had no idea or didn't care?

[R31Nismoid]

Just like anywhere else. Everyone has a good/bad story.

Without the other side you never know the full picture anyway.

[GTR-N1]

The inspector named Reece started disconnecting random connectors in the engine bay and cranking the engine after

each component was disconnected. After that the car wouldn't start even when everything was connected.

Comp Test?

[stig mick]

Without the other side you never know the full picture anyway.

That's true hense why I said it's gonna be hard to prove in court

[MrStabby]

Write everything that's happened into detailed notes with date and time. Take photos of the engine bay. Call Consumer Affairs Victoria on Monday - they will tell you how to proceed. If you need a car, hire one and keep the receipts.

[stig mick]

Comp Test?

That sounds like what he must have been doing no other reason to crank the engine with things disconnected

To the OP are you 100% sure everything is connected back up as it should be?

[stig mick]

I hate to say this but consumer affairs will probably just send you through some form of ombudsman service

I did this last year when I had a car accident and justcar insurance decided my turbo wasn't damaged in the accident

I paid their authorized repairer to fix it thinking that this would go in mg favor when I took it to fair trading and all up it cost me over 2000 bucks to fix and fair trading only gave me back $400 and it took a year to resolve massive waste of time

[R TUNE]

Or use a licenced road worty mechanic. Repco service centers have a 120pt (from memory) check list they use for sale inspections.

[eightsixboy]

How can he just say not my problem and drive of? He obviously has no idea what he is doing if he couldnt get the car started again, is he even a mechanic or just some random?

[Galois]

Look forward to hearing what you'll do next mate. Sorry to hear it, good luck if you take it further.

[Mr Eps]

I know that you want to take him / them to court...

But check your main fuses dude... It may be 20 bucks to fix the car versus 2 grand in fort costs

[joeyjoejoejuniorshabadoo]

if what you say is true and your car DID start before the inspection and the buyer that was present witnessed this, then get the buyer to act as your witness and keep harassing them.

speak to fair trading and get them to pay.

[theforce]

Thanks guys. The car was working 100% before as buyer test drove a couple of days before and the inspector warmed the car before he started tinkering. The buyer witnessed everything and did say that they'll help me out if I decide to take it further as in the end they were charged for the half-ass report.

The inspector does admit disconnecting but says he's unable to help as he's not a mechanic. What really bothered me was that he left the car after he couldn't get it running again (said its not his fault) and the lady at their office was ridiculously rude and un-supportive, not to mention losing my buyers and a dead car.

I know in the end it'll cost me time and money and won't get me anywhere. Consumer services are a joke. I'll keep nudging them though, but they seem to have made up their mind. Might get someone to have a look at the car soon.

Without the other side you never know the full picture anyway.

Other side goes something like this:

'I opened the bonnet and unplugged a connector I had no idea about. Then I cranked the car, but engine didn't fire. So I decided to disconnect another connector and crank the car but no luck either. I plug connectors back in and car doesn't start. So I jump into my car and go home since its not my problem.'

Edited April 10, 2011 by theforce

[Kinks]

Sorry to hear it, and if that were me I would be posting a whinge thread and chasing them up about it too (court, if necessary).

However my car was inspected by state roads before I bought it and I only have good things to say about the report. Very thorough.