Maria Cuervo is a single mom.
She spent hundreds of dollars in car repairs and has the receipts to prove it.
“Since they sold me the car I've been battling,” said Cuervo.
Cuervo’s battle has been to get her used car repaired or replaced.
“I use it all the time,” said Cuervo. “It’s the only car I have.”
In January, Cuervo bought the car from Robert’s Auto Sales in Pharr.
Two weeks later, Cuervo said it broke down.
“They don't want to help me,” said Cuervo.
After months of arguing with auto lot owners, Action 4 News tried getting Cuervo some help.
The owners of Robert's Auto Sales did not want to talk on camera but did show Action 4 News the contract Cuervo signed.
It said she bought the car as is.
"Which basically means you're accepting the car in the condition it's being sold to you,” said Dolores Salinas of the Better Business Bureau.
Salinas warns against buying “as is” unless you’re sure the car can go the distance.
"You should never buy a car without test driving it,” said Salinas. “You should never buy a car without having it inspected by a reputable mechanic."
But that’s not the most important part.
"The most important thing they need to be aware of is price should never be a determining factor,” said Salinas.
Cuervo paid $3,000 for what she considered a clunker.
“The money I gave was not fake,” said Cuervo. “It was good, and the car they gave me was not.”
With no car, Cuervo said she depends on others to get her son to school and herself to work.
She doesn’t know how she can afford another car.
While Action 4 News was at the car lot, owners agreed to allow Cuervo to put the money she spent on her car towards another car in their lot.
They said she would have to pay the difference.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKGBT