NYPhotog

I purchased a Certified, pre-owned 2015 RX350 last week from a dealer 2-hrs from home.
During the walkaround and orientation, I noticed scratches on the passenger side rear quarter panel (not seen during an initial evening test drive on wet and snowy roads).
The tech specialist could not get the XM-radio to operate and the service tech determined the roof antenna sustained impact damage, was loose and had to be replaced (5-hr replacement time).
The salesperson said the scratches could be "waxed and buffed out." I disagreed. The scratches were deep through multi-paint layers. I would not have expected these issues with a luxury car dealer.
The salesperson suggested I leave the car and rent a car during the repair period. The pre-owned sales manager suggested the repairs be done at my next 5000 service appointment when a loaner would be provided at no charge. After a heated discussion, the GM stepped in an suggested the car be kept at the dealership for repairs and it provided a free loaner car. The salesperson will drive the repaired vehicle to my home address after repairs and return the loaner car, eliminating my 4-hr round trip drive to the dealership.
My questions:
1- Should I even accept this vehicle if issues continue?
2 - what's the point of a pre-certification checklist if these issues are missed?
3 - is this dealer to be trusted for future service?
Comments and suggestions are appreciated.

mmarshall

Welcome to CL as a new poster.

With used vehicles, It's rare (but not impossible) to find a completely mint-condition body, totally free of scratches, even in a CPO. That's one reason (among many) why vehicles depreciate.

SW17LS

I agree with Mike, that damage IMHO goes hand in hand with it being a used car. CPO doesn't mean its totally reconditioned to be as new. Some dealers repair damage like that, some don't. You were able to get them to agree to repair it, give you a loaner and deliver the car to your house. IMHO that is above and beyond and you should absolutely be satisfied with that. Not sure what else you could expect a dealer to do in that situation honestly. The roof antenna is damaged, and they're going to repair it...again not sure what else you expect them to do.

I think you're being a little unreasonable.

NYPhotog

SW17LS

You would imagine it would be, but people are human and things slip by from time to time. Very minor issue.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

It's not. SXM is subscription based and not terrestrial like AM/FM

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161-Point Inspection Checklist:

Vehicle History
Diagnostics and Documentation
1. Attach and inspect NSH for regular services completed, up to date, including service performed
2. Perform Technician Health Check/ generate diagnostic report
3. Check for non-completed SSCs and recalls
VIN Inspection
4. VIN Stats Verification, matching plates, engine compartments, door jambs, dash
5. Inspect Certification Label
6. Check VIN Label paperwork

Vehicle Exterior
Exterior Appearance
7. Body damage/dents/dings, paint chips/scratches
8. Panel alignment/ fit
9. Trim and Moldings
10. Windshield/Glass Condition
11. Head lamp/ tail lamp lens condition
Instrument Panel
12. 1 Master Key with remote entry
13. Smart key operation. Touch sensor operation
14. Doors open/close smoothly using interior and exterior handles
15. Doors cannot be opened when lock button is in lock position
16. Warning chime-key in, door open
17. Wireless remote operation
Lights/Indicators
18. Puddle lamp lights in outside mirrors on approach
19. Highlight/HI/LOW beam and indicator
20. Adaptive headlight operation
21. Turn signal left/right and instrument panel indicator
22. Emergency flashers and instrument panel indicators
23. Fog lights
24. Taillights/backup lights
25. Brake and high mount stop lights
26. License plate and side marker lights

Vehicle Interior
27. Seats front/rear
28. Steering wheel condition
29. Armrests/door handles
30. Lower door and sill plates
31. Combination meter/dash pad condition
32. Gearshift
33. Radio/AC markings
34. Headliners/sun visors/ sunshaders and rear sunshade if applicable
35. Lights: dome/map/vanity/courtesy lamps/foot
36. Carpets/floor mats properly installed/postion/retaining hooks
Seats
37. Seat belts extend/ retract smoothly
38. Seat belts free of twists, cuts, signs of wear
39. Seat belts buckle securely
40. Inspect ALR/ELR
41. Memory control
42. Headrest
43. Heaters/coolers/ventilators
44. Seat adjustments (cushion angle, height angle, lumbar, tract, extension)
Instrument Panel
45. Instrument panel brightness control ****
46. Warning lights
47. Gauges
48. MID: All screens, function, energy monitor etc.
Windows
49. Auto windows
50. Window lock
51. Moonroof tilt/slide
52. Convertible top
Steering Wheel
53. Tilt/telescopic
54. Horn
55. Controls/switches
56. Lock
57. Heated steering wheel operatoin
Windshield wiper/washer
58. Wipers HI/LOW/Auto/INT
59. Wipers blades
60. Rain-sensing wipers
61. Wiper washer/rear
Center Console
62. Climate Control - heat/ac
63. Cabin air filter access door
64. Rear defogger
65. Audio PWR/volume
66. Console controls/switches/buttons
67. Console door opeation/latches/slides
68. Cooler Box
69. Clear pre stations and delete personal data
70. CD functions
71. Speakers clear
72. Telematics - AUX/USB, BT Connectivity
73. Navigation/GPS functions
74. Reset default LPS settings
75. Inspect and reset clock
76. Cup holders
77. Lighter and ashtray
Inside/Outside rearview mirrors
78. Controls
79. Outside mirror heater
80. Glass condition
81. Dimming function
Glove compartment
82. Lamp
83. Portfolio
Release levers
84. Fuel lid
85. Trunk luggage compartment
86. Hood -interior and secondary release

Cargo Area
Trunk / luggage compartment
87. Spare tire size, sidewall condition, tread depth and air pressure
88. Spare tire cover, tools, wheel lock, installed and secured
89. Luggage trim and mat
90. First aid kit
91. Trunk lid operation and emergency release trunk lever
92. Light

Under the Hood
Fluid levels
93. Oil change and level
94. Brake
95. Power steering
96. Coolant
97. Washer
Mechanical
98. No excessive fuel pump noise
99. Cooling system (radiator, overflow tank, hoses)
100. Pressure testing cooling system/radiator cap
101. Water pump
102. Air filter
103. No contaminants in oil
104. Emission control test
105. Engine noises (knocks, rattles)
106. Transmission noise (whines, clunks)
107. Belts (wear, damage)
108. Check engine diagnostics
109. No visible transmission leaks
110. Fans function properly
Battery
111. No damage or leakage, group size/amp rating
112. Test attach GR8 printout

Hoist
Tires and wheels
113. FL, FR, RL, RR
114. Sidewall condition
115. Even wear pattern
116. Size, type, match, factory speeding rating
117. Tire pressure
118. TPWS operation and proper threshold
119. Wheel condition/size/fit
120. Wheel lug nut torque
Brakes
121. FL, FR, RL, RR
122. Rotors (no excessive war, warpage, or heat damage)
123. Calipers, lines, couplings, hoses
124. Parking brake assemblies, cables, and attaching hardware
Chassis
125. Frame Rails and floor plan
126. Sub frame
127. Engine mounts and oil pan for leaks
128. All underbody covers present/properly attached
129. Transmission case/pan for leaks
130. Drive shaft boots and CV joints
131. Fuel lines, fuel tanks, hoses, and protectors
132. Steering rack, linkage, bushings, control arms, and dust boots
133. Differential assembly, drive shaft and related components
134. Exhaust system
135. Body plugs
136. Transmission mounts
137. Tie rods, ball joints, idler arm
138. Catalytic converter
139. Struts, shocks operation, leaks
140. Suspension fluid levels
141. Differential lubricant level

Road Test
Overview
142. No abnormal noise/vibration/squeaks rattles
143. Starter system
144. Idles normally
145. Engine performance
Transmission
146. Shift lock
147. Transmission (eco/power/normal modes)
Steering
148. Steering operation
149. Off-center specifications
150. Handling straight line operation
Brakes
151. Brakes
152. Parking brake
153. Brake pedal height, plane and travel
System
154. No warning lights
155. TRAC/VSC and ECT control function, and indicator lights
156. Cruise control standard/dynamic operation
157. BSM, cross-traffic and backup camera operation
158. LKA and LDA
159. Park Sensor
160. Remote start operation if applicable
161. Reverse link mirriors

coolsaber

Exhaustive list, wonder what actually gets done

AJLex19

I had a similar experience buying my CPO GS350 at a dealer in upstate NY. I wanted a GS with certain specific options and the sales manager said he would likely get one into his inventory that met my criteria. They "CPO'd" the car and made it available. When they showed it to me, it had a really bad scratch on the front bumper underside, quite a few deep scratches on the rear bumper and peeling leather on the front driver's seat.

I only agreed to buying the car after they repaired all these items. They did and i bought the car. Unfortunately, the tires and rear brakes/rotors were basically in need of replacement right away and I had to get them done myself not long after taking delivery.

Essentially, the CPO means that the car is in "like-new" condition. Its really up to you to decide if it meets your own expectations - lots of times it meets the dealer's expectations. I've seen some CPO cars that look brand new with new tires/brakes/rotors/reconditioned bumpers and others that look like they need $3000 in work but are still sold as CPO.

Toys4RJill

Sounds like the dealer is coming through for you. Sounds like they are offering some pretty good service to get it done for you.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Tell me about it, I typed it all. No copy paste.

tempestv8

Looking at the CPO checklist, it seems that the dealer selling that CPO vehicle really should have taken care of those items before the vehicle is put on the lot.
It should not be up to a potential customer to spot these defects that was missed from the CPO list. If they missed those externally visible items, what else have they missed? I'd be mostly concerned about any missed actions under the hood, e.g. oil changes, filters, all that mechanical stuff.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Well if the previous owner had serviced at a Lexus or Toyota, that history gets reported through ToMoCo National Service History (NSH) and recently Lexus Service Portal. But if the previous owner did it at an independent or not at all, well that's not the dealerships fault. Any work a dealership does goes on an RO. That stuff is usually attached with the CPO 161-Inspection or can be requested by the buyer.

mmarshall

Thanks for the time and work you did, Hoovey....but to make it easy, next time, just post this, and let people scroll for themselves.

https://www.lexus.com/documents/broc...t-brochure.pdf

MattyG

OP, buyer beware, or do your own due diligence is generally the rule. The car dealer is probably just flipping a lease return and the techs are going to be in a hurry to get paid for the job and get it done. These are more annoyances and cosmetic issues, not major deal killers. You like the car, you like the price - you buy it. You have some issues with it, you don't. A ton of RXs are around for sale.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Good looks lol