Customers Shocked: Michigan Car Dealer Sells Used Vehicles as Brand-New

When you're deciding on whether you want to purchase a new vehicle or go with a used car can be a tough decision. Most used cars go through rigorous testing and must be certified. With a new car sure it costs more but, well... it's new. Could you imagine spending money on a new car just to find out it wasn't new at all?

A Costly Lesson for Michigan Car Buyers

That's exactly what happened at a Michigan car dealership. The St. Clair County dealer has been shut down by the state after being caught repeatedly selling used cars as new.

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The Michigan Department of State (MDOS) suspended the license of LaFontaine Chevrolet Buick GMC of St. Clair, located on King Road in China Township, following a series of serious violations of the Michigan Vehicle Code.

Dealer Had Been Warned Before

According to MDOS, investigators discovered that the dealership was registering vehicles in its own name to use as loaner cars for customers, only to later resell those same vehicles as brand-new models. The scheme first came to light during a compliance inspection in September 2024.

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That discovery led to a $3,000 fine and an 18-month probation period, during which dealership staff were required to attend training about state vehicle laws. But just one year later, MDOS officials say the violations continued. This time with more than two dozen cars sold as 'new' despite having been previously used. One so-called new vehicle had racked up over 6,000 miles.

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Now, MDOS has had enough. The dealership’s license is officially suspended, and it cannot operate until further notice.

What to Do If You Were Affected

Anyone who believes they may have been affected by this dealership’s actions should contact the MDOS Office of Investigative Services automotive complaint line at 844-372-8356.