Sent to dealership for repairs: Employee uses truck for personal use

While waiting impatiently for his Mercedes SUV to be repaired for nearly two months, a motorist surprised an employee at his dealership using his vehicle for personal use.

Jenny Germani was with customers when she received a notification on her cellphone. His 2023 EQE 350's geolocation system tells him his vehicle is moving.

But a sudden, dangerous stop meant that his useless vehicle had to be parked in the garage.

“I thought my car was stolen,” said Jenny Germani. I saw that my vehicle arrived in Saint-Lazare, an hour's drive from the dealership.

“We followed him all evening. He went to the arena for his hockey game, to the palliative care center and many other places.

At the arena, Germany and his partner authenticated the license plate before confronting an employee of the Mercedes-Benz West Island dealership about the SUV's presence there.

“He thought he was using a 'demo' and the dealership bought the vehicle,” M said.^me Germany He used my vehicle for four days.

“No dealership employee ever asked for my permission to do such a long test drive.”

The dealership employee also went to the hospice center with Mrs. Jarmani's vehicle.

Photo courtesy of Jenny Germani

The dealership where the real estate broker repaired his vehicle came to the defense of its employee.

“There are extended test drives at all dealerships,” explains Michael Dropsy, sales director at Mercedes-Benz West Island. The manufacturer requires the vehicle to be kept in actual conditions.

Michael Dropsey, Sales Director

Photo taken from Mercedes Benz West-Island website

“We can take the vehicles in the evening to do tests on the highway and other places.”

An unusual situation

As for the Corporation des Concessionaires Automobiles du Québec (CCAQ), we find this a bit unusual.

“When a person makes 10 positions and puts 150 km on a vehicle, that's not normal,” said CCAQ CEO Ian P. Sam Yew Chee. If we do long-term tests like this, it's imperative to talk to the customer about it.”

Long-term road tests are needed when the problem is intermittent, he says. The dealer wants to make an accurate diagnosis, but not go to the arena for a hockey game.

The issue raised by M^me Germany happened again while a dealership employee was behind the wheel of his truck. However, the dealership is still looking for a solution even though the vehicle arrived at its service department on August 14.

A manufacturer based in Germany is also trying to solve the problem. No one can tell when a Saint-Laurent resident's truck will need repairs.

A disaster

M^me German was at a loss for words when discussing his record with the dealership. She has already had several heated discussions with the garage managers and the police have been called to the scene.

“It became an ego battle,” she said. Even though I can't use my vehicle, I have to continue paying my rent of $1,600 a month.

“And I have to pay for gas for my courtesy vehicle even though I have an electric vehicle.”

According to the dealership, it is impossible to trade in your current vehicle for a new one. If she wanted to go in this direction, the real estate broker would have to pay more than $50,000.

After not responding to official notices, M^me Germany now plans to file a multi-thousand dollar lawsuit in the coming days seeking compensation.