Volkswagen Corporate review: Purchase of a certified pre owned 2019 VW Atlas

I purchased (what was advertised) as a certified pre-owned atlas, from a VW dealership, in New York State for $40,000. This vehicle has multiple issues, outside of the warranty, that were checked as working/okay on the CPO inspection report, when they were not.

I have been fighting with the dealer and their local VW rep., since I purchased the vehicle. Per the manufacturer these vehicles are to undergo and pass a 112 point inspection, including a drive test for them to qualify. When I bought the vehicle this checklist was to be present, disclosed and I sign it acknowledging what repairs were done, the condition, etc. At this time I was not aware. Once I was aware there should be one, I had to go through VW Corporate to view it. They didn’t have it on file and then it took her over a week to get me a copy of it.

Volkswagen CPO advertises that these vehicles must pass this inspection to be certified. How is it that VW corporate certified this vehicle without this report whatsoever? When I was disputing this issue with their VW corporate rep, she ultimately told me that I would have to hire a lawyer because the dealerships are individually owned!

How is it that Volkswagen allows these deals to go through without this required inspection checklist? I’m sure one can see how this is extremely problematic and essentially fraudulent. Because of this practice what was supposed to be a $40,000 like-new used car is just an overpriced used-leased car, that never had the CPO inspection nor the proper repairs done to be brought to and be eligible for the CPO ssles status.

I can’t understand how legally Volkswagen (corporate) can do this. It goes against what they advertise. By doing this, they’ve allowed and enabled the dealer to operate in a fraudulent manner and now VW won’t stand behind their advertised product. I was specifically told by VW Corp., regardless of the proof I have Quote “There’s nothing we can do except open the lines of communication, the dealership is independently owned”. I fussed demanding escalation and she told me “There is no one higher than her to escalate this to”. It ends with her.

By Volkswagen certifying these vehicles without the proper documentation, they are giving these dealers a pathway and the ability to still put these deals through. When selling a certified preowned the manufacturer should be responsible for requiring this inspection on file, signed, matching the condition of the vehicle, etc. It’s the only protection for the consumer. VW advertises the program and makes it appear as if they stand behind it. For CPO vehicles the checklist (as well as the buyers signature on it) should be mandatory & as legally binding as signing the contract. When buying these CPO cars, this checklist is the only protection for consumers otherwise it allows the dealership and manufacturer to sell you whatever they want and claim “It was fine when it left here”.

Issues to date include:

Two non working remotes. They wouldn’t remote start nor open the trunk.

The Coolant light came on (within a couple of days).

One Interior light inoperable.

Paint damage on the right rear door. I was told it would cover nicely and they’d send me the touch-up paint. They never did and I was told that wouldn’t cut it anyway.

Paint/body damage on left windshield pillar. This was very hard to see, until you do. It’s somewhat disguised by the huge side mirror. When I got my hands on the checklist, it noted a windshield repair, it would explain the damage on the windshield pillar (per the collision shop). I asked the VW rep to please get me more information on this repair. A week later she responded and said the dealership didn’t know. And this was all acceptable with VW! How? I have a photo of it when it was on the lot, prior to my possession and you can actually see it.

I’m not sure of the condition of the brakes and had the tires measured at a local VW dealership, lowest were 6/32. I guess that is ok but they’re half gone. How is this next to new?

Now I’m left with the burden of dealing and paying for this. Having to pay out of pocket for things that I should not have to and who knows what will go wrong next.

Had the dealer actually done the required inspection and VW upheld their end, I would not be in this position. This was a major purchase for us. I think a $40k used car is a big investment for anyone. In good faith we paid almost exactly what they sold it for in 2019, under the assumption it was in fact a Certified vehicle that was inspected with all defects being repaired prior to sale, as VW advertises their CPO inventory to be.

😞