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When I had filled it with gas the previous day, the gauge did not move, leading me to think there was an issue with the sensor. When it stopped running, I assumed a more significant problem with the fuel system. I explained this situation in detail to the service advisor when I dropped off the car.
Southern State's diagnosis was to replace the fuel pump, which cost roughly $800. The repair took almost two weeks. When I picked the car up, the gas gauge still read empty. I thought that was odd since I had delivered the vehicle with a nearly full tank.
I asked to speak with the technician who had done the work. When he arrived, I asked if he had drained the tank to replace the pump. He replied that the car had an empty tank when he started working on it. Apparently, in a moment of distraction, I had not filled the car as I thought I had.
Nonetheless, I had explained the situation carefully to the service advisor. They were fully aware that I thought there was an issue with the fuel system. Yet, I was not informed during diagnosis or repair that the vehicle had arrived with an empty tank. I only learned this by asking the technician directly.
Unfortunately, there is more to the story. Upon receipt of the car, I noticed a strong gas odor. I again dropped the car off with Southern States. I was told the technician had damaged the gas tank during the previous unnecessary repair. The tank would have to be replaced, which took another week and a half.
After the second repair, I instructed Southern States to deliver it to another mechanic. This mechanic checked their work and found system codes concerning the fuel evaporation canister. The car now stumbles under wide-open throttle and requires further repair, which I do not trust Southern States to perform.
It's been over a month since I entrusted Southern States Mazda with my low-mileage, well-maintained, dead-reliable car. Rather than charge me for a simple diagnostic, Southern States took advantage of my confusion to advise an unnecessary repair.
Their actions constitute fraud, Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices, and violate Article 15B, § 20-354.8 of the North Carolina Motor Vehicle Repair Act:
"It shall be a violation of this Article for any motor vehicle repair shop or employee of a motor vehicle repair shop to do any of the following:
(3) Misrepresent that certain parts and repairs are necessary to repair a vehicle."