I've had a dealer take the jeep i was looking at off the sales lot and tell me it was "not for sale" due to me finding problems all over the thing. I tried to negotiate a deal for the jeep as is and fix it myself but they didn't like the one either. If there's anything worse than a new car dealership it's a used car dealership.

 

I'm sorry, but ANY used vehicle on the lot should have fluids checked/topped off before being put for sale. That sort of thing is just an obvious given. Topping off doesn't require changing, and at the least you "appear" to be doing your due diligence in selling a decent used vehicle.

And while I can understand not undertaking the entire maintenance, as you will never recoup that cost in the sale, then why are trade-in values so low?? It's SUPPOSED to be to recoup any costs associated with maintenance, not commission in the salesman's pocket! At the least all vehicles should be inspected, tire pressures checked, fluid levels checked, and any minor maintenance issues (brakes, oil change, wipers, air filter) addressed. I don't necessarily need new tires, cause I may not like the ones they put on it anyway, just knock some of that cost off the sale. And in most cases I can understand not doing tranny fluid changes, as you could up-sell that as a service after the sale. Same goes for diff fluid and transfer case fluid. Make sure they're full, but don't change them before the sale.

Just my $.02

 

I believe it should be the norm and be part of any dealers job. That's just me.

I maybe wouldn't expect it from the corner used car dealership but a Brand dealership...yes.

Really..does it take that much time for a dealer to do this work and check things? What would it cost them a couple hunderd?

I used to work for a small SAAB dealership in High School and every used vehicle that was brought it got serviced. We would even wash, wax and vac. every car new or used before it went out the door, kept people loyal and is a service to their customer.

I'm off my soap box now what's done is done...

Thanks for letting me get this out.

 

NEVER buy a used American vehicle. There is always a reason somebody got rid of it.

 

There we go. There's always a reason, whether to buy a new one or a problem. Think about why you got rid of your last vehicle.

 

I can see that but I also don't understand not bothering to check any of these things until as the OP stated 7k miles after the purchase. you know what they say about assuming...

 

Ya, assuming... I know. Anyway, hit 100k thought it would be time to change everything.

 

rbrumm,

I don't know if anyone addressed the question of possible damage to your transfer case, but here some info that might help.

It's never good to run anything low/out of lube, but some are more sensitive than others. Thankfully, the Ram's transfer case is a positive locked design, which basically means once it's engaged, it's just a solid transfer of torque to both the front & rear. Unlike AWD designs that use clutch packs or other methods of dividing the torque in specific ways (i.e. 90% front/10% rear), you have no clutches or friction materials in your case. If you're not having engagement problems, and not getting noises, you should probably be good.

 

Thanks Boilermaker...that's good to know.

 

When I bought my truck, I checked all fluids, and they all checked out fine. After about 6,000 miles my brakes were makin some noise, and decided to replace them. After that task, I pull out my truck, to find fluid all over the ground. Well it turns out they just filled the brake resevoir full, when the brakes are ground to ****. So when I installed my new pads, the fluid poured out of the cap. Pissed me right off. Not near as bad as what you have explained, but still......