Cynthia Longoria said she has been waiting for three weeks on the title to her 2000 Ford Focus. She said, while promises were made, the title never showed up and she was left to wonder if there was something wrong with her new vehicle.
Longoria told Action 4 News she was told my police the car was stolen. She said they vehicle has since been impounded and she is left without a car, title, and $2,500.
“You need to make sure that you purchase from a reputable dealer that has been in business for awhile,” Oscar Garza said.
Garza is the General Manger for the Bert Ogden Mazda dealership in Mission. He said, when someone buys a used vehicle, it is always a good idea to ask a lot of questions.
“They should ask for a Carfax,” Garza started. “it gives you a lot of history—you should also ask if the car has ever been repaired or repainted.”
To make sure a vehicle that is being traded at his dealership is legit—Garza said all of the proper documents have to be in order before they allow the trade.
“We have to make sure the customer is the legal owner of that vehicle by pulling the Texas Department of Transportation form,” Garza said.
“We back that up with the customers identification.”
As for the title—Garza said that could take a few weeks depending on the situation. But the dealership never goes to the bank to pick up the title it is always mailed to the dealership.
Action 4 News spoke with Texas Country Motors and they said Longoria’s title is waiting at the dealership for her to pick up. They said they have no knowledge of the car, Longoria purchased, being stolen.
McAllen police are looking into the matter.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKGBT