Alexander's Automotive

Review: I took my daughter's 2006 nissan altima to Alexanders for an inspection (we bought the car unfortunately it ended up with not having a clean title and we had to fight for that, the car was being investigated by the DMV fraud unit to help us get everything resolved - all we needed was an inspection and some appraisals and we could get the title) he inspected it but it wouldn't pass through the drive cycle so he told us to drive it around and bring it back (I feel like an experienced good mechanic would have noticed the sounds or looked for possible problems because he had the car during the inspection, it blew out black smoke while we sat there, I feel he was negligent in his duties as a mechanic). We made it maybe a mile and it quit working. We called them had them tow it and look at it. They stated the engine blew up and had to repair the engine, we were given the quotes and told that the entire cost would be less than 3700. It took days to get the engine, then they had to keep sending parts back and then it needed other parts (we have the receipt). After said and done we spent 4038.50 because they said they didn't include the towing in the original quote but they did when we spoke to them. We get it back and notice it has a crack in the window which it didn't have before they took it, and it has an exhaust leak which another mechanic states should have been repaired with the engine as part of the service and it still wont' pass inspection. We called them and they said they would charge us for the exhaust leak and they are not responsible for damages to cars and refuse to assist in this matter. So a car is damaged by them or on their property and it isn't their responsibility. I feel like they were not honest with us, they charged more than advised, work wasn't good and they damaged my car.Desired Settlement: I would like the exhaust leak fixed, the window fixed and or compensation for the damages and repairs that we will have to take elsewhere because I honestly don't feel comfortable bringing it back there. We were two woman dropping this car of for inspection and ended up with way more problems and while yes the car sat for a while as a mechanic doing an inspection I would think he would have noticed problems before he told us to drive it around, plus the window was cracked during their repair.

Business

Response:

From: [redacted] [mailto:[redacted]]

Sent: Monday, April 28, 2014 1:47 PM

To: [redacted]

Subject: ID [redacted] attn [redacted]

The [redacted] family brought there 2006 Nissan into our shop for a NC State inspection. The car didn't pass because all the readiness codes hadn't been cleared by the cars computer. When this happens you have to drive the car more (drive cycle) and the cars computer checks the not ready system and either passes or fails. [redacted], the inspector didn't hear any type of noises from the engine nor see any type RED FLAG to keep them from driving it. The [redacted] comment of feeling that a experienced good mechanic should have noticed is so so off base because there were no visible issues and can easily be directed back at them. ANY person buying a car putting out black smoke should know that things aren't right which are indications of a motor issue. Along with there issues of not securing a clean title as anyone would have done.

After the [redacted] unfortunate motor locking up they called us to tow and then we gave them an estimate for a motor. We priced them a "long block" motor price around $3700. This is important because a long block is a partial motor of all the main operating parts, heads,pistons, crank, etc. IE engine block and head but dosen't have alot of the other parts like oil pan, intake, exhaust manifolds, valve cover etc.that you have to take off the old motor and transfer to the long block. In this process there were two issues of bad parts. Her valve cover that has built in seals and were leaking and a variable valve timing solenoid. They were called and wanted to buy used in the valve cover and new in the variable valve timing solenoid. They approved both extra prices and the work was done. Even went further finding used to help them in that price reduction it gave them. 3700+300=4000.

The exhaust issue was a rusted resinenator which is located halfway under the car. The exhaust was no part of the engine and a complete lie that another mechanic indicate we are responsible. It was rusted from age. The windshield issue we never saw. Just as all the issues that THE [redacted] never saw in there purchase of this car and are now trying to make there problems mine. I have been a self employeed business owner of auto repairs in Clemmons since 1985 and am in this business to help people not hurt them and these accusations are way way off base.

I advised [redacted] to tell them to bring the car back here so we could address those two issues. They never brought the car back.

Kind Regards