A DRIVER pulled a sneaky move on a dealership by using a modification to conceal a major issue with a sports car before trading it in.
Car salesman Joseph Rodriguez, based in New Jersey, recently took to TikTok to discuss how an Audi TT RS, which he accepted as a trade-in, had undergone several modifications.
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In a video that has hit over 729,000 views, Joseph – who can be found on TikTok under the username @jrodsellscars – explained how the modifications were able to conceal issues with the car that would’ve made it otherwise hard to sell.
He revealed that the Audi was traded in for a GMC Denali by its previous owner and added: “He failed to tell me a few major things about this car. He actually traded this car in with a tune on it, and we didn’t even know.”
These modifications affected the car’s check engine light, allowing the previous owner to slip the trade-in past the dealership without revealing it had been altered.
Joseph added: “This is just a stage one tune, which is nothing crazy, but the car has no [catalytic converter]. He actually had his tuner adjust the car so the check engine light doesn’t show up.”
The dealership was able to restore the car to its factory settings and plans to sell it once the repairs are complete.
As reported by Daily Dot, experts at Bilstein say tuning generally falls into four basic categories: “engine tuning, suspension tuning, body tuning, and interior tuning.”
Tuning differs from simply replacing parts, as it focuses on enhancing the performance of existing components within a vehicle.
One example of tuning is engine modification, which can include increasing a cylinder’s capacity, turbocharging an engine, or altering a vehicle’s chip settings.
Another example is suspension tuning, which improves a car’s handling and appearance – such as lowering the vehicle’s ride height.
UK auto shop The Tuner Performance Centre outlines six ways to determine if a car has been tuned.
Since tuning is aimed at improving performance, one noticeable sign is when a vehicle’s top speed exceeds what the speedometer indicates as its maximum.
Quicker acceleration or a generally more powerful driving experience are also indicators of tuning.
Additionally, tuned vehicles may exhibit increased fuel efficiency compared to standard models.
Unusual engine behavior, such as sudden power surges, unstable idling, or engine knocking, can also signal modifications.
Visible alterations, like aftermarket exhaust systems, turbo or supercharger installations, and specialized performance air filters, may also provide clues.
Diagnostic tools and software are useful for identifying modifications, as tuned cars often have settings that differ from the manufacturer’s default configurations.
Using these tools, drivers may notice random error codes, which are usually telltale signs of tuning.
Perhaps the easiest way to determine if a car has been tuned is by reviewing the paperwork for a second-hand vehicle.
Receipts from tuning shops or records of upgraded software will provide clear evidence.
Surprisingly, many commenters on Joseph’s TikTok video expressed little sympathy for the dealership, pointing out that dealerships themselves often fail to disclose certain information to buyers.
In this case, a client withholding the fact that the car had been modified was considered fair play.
One commenter wrote: “Let’s be honest, there’s plenty that you don’t disclose about the cars you sell.”
Another added: “So he pulled a dealership move – don’t see a problem here.”
A third said: “How did a dealership full of people who are supposedly automotive professionals not notice an aftermarket exhaust?”
How to save money at the mechanic
THERE are several services offered by mechanics that drivers should never pay for, according to a car expert.
Ron Krauch, an automotive writer, warned drivers not to trust everything they hear in the shop in an exclusive conversation with The U.S. Sun.
He said it’s important for vehicle owners to recognize the difference between their car’s manufacturer’s service schedule and what mechanics are trying to sell.
Any work referred to as a “dealer recommended service” is often an attempt at upselling, Krauch warned.
One of these useless upsells is fuel injecting clearing, which removes built-up dirt and debris from a vehicle’s fuel system to improve performance.
“Modern vehicles typically have fuel systems that are designed to stay clean, especially with the use of high-quality gasoline that contains detergents to keep injectors free of deposits,” he said.
Drivers should also always say no to engine flushes, as modern vehicles don’t need any help cleaning out “sludge or deposits.”
“Most modern engines and oils are formulated to stay clean, and if you regularly change your oil on schedule, you shouldn’t need this service,” he said.
And finally, no one should spend extra getting a premium oil change.
“Shops often upsell customers to synthetic or high-performance oils – even if the vehicle’s manufacturer doesn’t require them,” Krauch said.
