Stay away from this Hamilton garage!!

**CDNChargerRT** · 08-25-2008, 04:16 PM

I am sure this post will get tossed, but if just one person reads it then my job is done!!! I have been helping my stepson buy a used car, his first. We went and looked at a 1990 Mustang 5.0, what he really wants. It was a private sale. Car looked decent, just painted and could not really see any rust on the under-body. He decides he likes and me make the deal. Car is sold with a safety, performed at CENTENNIAL AUTO SERVICE in Hamilton (on Barton near Fruitland Rd). I pick up the car and take it to my mechanic, needs some exhaust work before we e-test it. My mechanic says the car is garbage, rusted frame, rockers, bumper mounts (rear bumper had no structural support, would have buckled in the event of a rear-end collision), exhaust leaks (so bad that I almost got sick driving, even with the windows open) and so on (all hidden by a black undercoat and my untrained eye). I am pissed at this point. I take the car to another mechanic for a second look and have him do a full write up on the car. He confirms my mechanics observations, the car should have NEVER passed safety. I contact Centennial and confront him with the results and he knows they screwed up. However, they are unwilling to pay for the cost of the car. Even after I threatened to go to the MTO. So, that is what I did. I have contacted the MTO about this bogus safety and they are going to investigate. If the garage is found in the in wrong the can be charged, fined and have their license pulled. But, I am still stuck with a car. It will be up to me to go a legal route to obtain any compensation.

So, any Hamiltonians on the Forum, please if you ever thought of or have used this garage please stay away and tell your friends.

**CANDYAPPLE** · 08-25-2008, 04:36 PM

Justifiably ticked off, to put it mildly!! I agree with what you have done.

Cheers CANDYAPPLE

**3Dave3** · 08-25-2008, 04:40 PM

That just sucks, and they probably do this on a consistent basis too. The other mistake was buying a Mustang to begin with, but I don't really have to tell you do I?

Thanks for the warning and please keep us posted on the MTO's investigation, I'd love to see them get exactly what they deserve.

Dave...

**fderac** · 08-25-2008, 05:15 PM

I feel your pain.
15 years ago I took my mechanic to check on a Honda Prelude before I signed on the sale papers. The fool told me the car was perfect and that was a bargain deal. Bought the car and my problems started. One of his mechanic working for him at the shop told me my mechanic knew the car had problems. He also told me the fool knew I will be coming to his shop to keep the car running.

**Nightshade** · 08-25-2008, 05:35 PM

Maybe a call to the newspaper or local TV station too.. hit them where it hurts.. make it cost more for them to screw you than to just refund your money..

And sue them.. You would have grounds for a lawsuit in small claims court for certain. Get several inspections (official) in writing.. Betcha they decide to settle rather than have to defend themselves, loose their license, get a hefty fine from MTO.... and bad name in the press.

**Fargo59** · 08-25-2008, 06:02 PM

wow, this is some crazy stuff. cant believe it. i agree, take it to the press.

**CDNChargerRT** · 08-25-2008, 08:48 PM

Joe, I already threatened the press, suing him and the MTO in a face-to-face meeting, but he did not really seem concerned. MTO is involved and going to be looking at the car tomorrow or the next day. Just going to wait to see what the outcome of that is, should be found the car should not have been safetied. then with that in hand I will be looking at taking them to small claims to get my money back and some extra for that the BS we have been through. What an experience for a kid trying to buy his first car.

Thanks for the support guys, I knew I would find some here.

**Go Mango** · 08-25-2008, 09:08 PM

If they still play dumb (a$$ed) when the MTO checks them out, maybe suggest they do a check of recent cars that have been certified by the garage, maybe they are all death-traps. Or maybe even tell the garage owner that is your intention, to have the MTO call in some of their recent clients. No matter what, I hope all goes well for you and the kid.

**Nightshade** · 08-25-2008, 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by CDNChargerRT

Joe, I already threatened the press, suing him and the MTO in a face-to-face meeting, but he did not really seem concerned. MTO is involved and going to be looking at the car tomorrow or the next day. Just going to wait to see what the outcome of that is, should be found the car should not have been safetied. then with that in hand I will be looking at taking them to small claims to get my money back and some extra for that the BS we have been through. What an experience for a kid trying to buy his first car.

Thanks for the support guys, I knew I would find some here.

Just imagine if you didn't decide to get your guy to look at it.. kid gets rear-ended and injured badly due to an unsafe car.

I am sure you will come out on top.. maybe report them to the useless BBB too.. I'd be telling any agency that would listen about these clowns.. maybe park the car out front of their shop with a big sign on it..

**CDNChargerRT** · 08-25-2008, 09:49 PM

Originally Posted by Nightshade

maybe park the car out front of their shop with a big sign on it..

Funny you say that!! My wife did that with her last car, she drove around with a big neon yellow piece of bristol board in the back window. Written on it in big black lettering was KIA LEMON. Got the attention of the dealership manager and he did the work on the car he was saying we needed to pay for, which was warranty. Word of mouth is a strong thing, so I am hoping by writing this and talking to everyone I know, friends, family, co-workers, that it gets around. We are looking into other avenues too.

**CDNChargerRT** · 08-27-2008, 05:14 PM

MTO Enforcement Officer inspected the car today and deemed it unfit!! Guess we will be waiting for the inspection report and seeing what will happen (fines, charges) to the garage. Then it will be our turn, legally.

**3Dave3** · 08-27-2008, 09:33 PM

Originally Posted by CDNChargerRT

MTO Enforcement Officer inspected the car today and deemed it unfit!! Guess we will be waiting for the inspection report and seeing what will happen (fines, charges) to the garage. Then it will be our turn, legally.

Great news! Is there any way they can take away this jerk's mechanic license too?

Dave...

**Fargo59** · 08-27-2008, 10:10 PM

Thats pretty much what happens. when you sign a vehicle as safe, you're pretty much putting your license on the line, as well as reputation.

**Copmag** · 08-28-2008, 06:09 PM

That really sucks. Thanks for the info on the garage. It's not far from me. Sounds like you're taking all the right steps and I hope you get the money back.