I purchased a Certified Used 2016 Ram 1500 pickup from - rtomhave
I purchased a Certified Used 2016 Ram 1500 pickup from Marlow Motor Company on March 16, 2024. The vehicle was purchased at 80,000 miles. Since that time I have had two service appointments at Marlow Motors with oil changes, tire rotations, and inspections. I have had the battery replaced, replaced the serpentine belt, replaced the CPCH and valve-purge control, and spent $970.50 in parts and labor along the way.
Then, on March 3, 2025, after just over 10,000 driving miles in the first year, I was due for inspection. I confidently returned to Marlowe for the inspection thinking that since the purchase of a Certified Used Vehicle, regularity of service and inspections, and just over 10,000 miles of usage in the first year, I would pay my $20 for a successful inspection and be on my way. Some time later while in the waiting room, I received a text telling me that my vehicle had failed inspection and that there were 5 items that "required immediate attention" to the tune of $1683.58. Fourth on the list of these items was "Replace Rear Brake Pads and Resurface Rotos." A service representative soon joined me in the waiting room to further explain that it was the brakes that had failed inspection. The first three items on the "requires immediate attention" list included brake fluid exchange service and four-wheel alignment, and differential service. The fifth item was "replacing cabin air filter" which I was pretty sure did not "require immediate attention" in relation to a state inspection.
I asked the service representative what it meant to purchase a Certified Used Vehicle and he mumbled that everything is in working order and safe. When I queried how the brakes of a Certified Used Vehicle could be deemed unsafe with only 10,000 miles of usage, I was told that the inspector did not look at my purchase and service history. I told him that I had lost trust and confidence in Marlowe Motors as my service shop and how disappointed I was in that I was planning to continue my service with them for the vehicle, but now simply wanted my vehicle returned. They had lost me as a customer.
For the cost of $22.87 and a failed inspection sticker in my windshield, I went to another local state inspector, paid my $20 and passed inspection. Lesson learned.
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