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Business Profile

Used Car Dealers

Smart Buy Auto Finance

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

Find BBB Accredited Businesses in Used Car Dealers.

Complaints

Customer Complaints Summary

  • 12 total complaints in the last 3 years.
  • 1 complaint closed in the last 12 months.

If you've experienced an issue

Submit a Complaint

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

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Complaint status

Complaint type

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:06/26/2025

    Type:Service or Repair Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    I purchased a car from the above mention with a trade in on January ******.. A week later the car had to be put in the shop for transmission issues..May 19, 2025 the car stop and I had to tow it to ********** for complete engine replacement..June ******* the car was put back in the shop for air condition repair.. Im financed through Capitol One Auto Finance with a car note of $444.65 monthly (current and on time).. There is truly something wrong with this car.. When they repaired the engine the car is not running right.. The air condition costed me $438.00 out of pocket.

    Business Response

    Date: 06/27/2025

    This car came with a 2 year powertrain warranty which appears to be active and has covered repairs for this customers vehicle. Some repairs are not covered which may result in the customer paying out of pocket. While we are sympathetic to the customer, we are glad to hear that her warranty was able to step in and make the necessary repairs to her vehicle.  

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:06/06/2024

    Type:Service or Repair Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    I purchased a car from them on February,27,2024. Within the first 2-3 weeks the car was overheating. There was also a problem with one of the tires which I said something about and nothing was done. Then I missed a payment and someone reached out and gave me a time frame to come to an agreement. I came to that agreement before the timeframe was up but they still repossessed my car. I also have been communicating with them about getting my things out of the car someone told me I can come get them. I spoke with Re on June 1st about getting my ************ day I tried to go get them they are now telling me that my things been gone and are not available for pick up. I had over $500 worth of things inside of the car.

    Business Response

    Date: 06/06/2024

    Customer purchased the vehicle AS IS with an extended warranty for the engine and the trans that they were able to use, customer car was repo due to non payment . no personal belonging was in the car after we recovered it from repo agent

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:01/04/2024

    Type:Service or Repair Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
     I am rejecting this response because:
    There should be a law were u all should be held accountable I got a loan from a back an it my responsibility to pay them back an get a new engine put inside a vehicle that I would have never got if I thought for a second this would happen.This is unacceptable 
    An something should be done to help on my end 

    Business Response

    Date: 01/04/2024

    customer bought the vehicle 6 months ago , AS IS with no Warranty

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:12/28/2023

    Type:Order Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    I signed a contract in September of 2023 for a 2017 ****** camery. I was in possession of the car for 1 1/2 months before I was informed by the police department that the vehicle was reported stolen in august 2023 and my registration and license plate were fraudulent, a police report was issued to me and I was told to contact my finance company and dealership for further information about my contract. once speaking with the dealership (smart buy) I as told that I would be held responsible for the loan amount on my contract, my car note, and towing fees even though I am not in possession of the vehicle, then in which I would receive the car back.

    Business Response

    Date: 12/28/2023

    Please note that the previous owner reported the car stolen when it was a repo, we have solved that issue  and released the car for the client, but when we were ready to release the vehicle to her, the finance company requested the car since the client failed to make her monthly payments to them, they are in possession of the car and they did offer her to get the car back after she brings her balance to current, customer was advised of all that by the dealership. 

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:12/15/2023

    Type:Service or Repair Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    In response to Code 21011944-11AB3.the car lots response to the complaint that I filed was that I had a choice to bring type vehicle inI couldnt respond in time but my response to that is that the car doesnt run!! I cant drive a car three hours that doesnt run 
    Sent from *********************** (**********************)

    dont want the vehicle anymore and it was within the first 30 days so they have to take it backthey called me every name in the book and told me to F*** off and go throw the keys in a riververy unprofessional..idk what to do I dont want the car anymore and dont want my credit affected

    Business Response

    Date: 12/19/2023

    Customer was offered to get the issues fixed by us but he denied to bring the car in for service, we even sent him money to replace his brakes and rotors but he still is not willing to bring the vehicle for us to service it.  Customer also has an extended warranty that he can use to fix the car in his area, customer was informed of all that.  we are still willing to service the vehicle if he decides to bring it in

    Business Response

    Date: 01/10/2024

    Once again, the customer was advised that they do have an extended warranty they can use thru any Mechanic shop in their area

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:09/12/2023

    Type:Service or Repair Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    I traded in my old vehicle with this car lot. Everything went smooth I put down $2,000 and I was able to get another vehicle. All paperwork was signed I got the keys and was able to drive off with the car. A few days later I got a call from the car place requesting that I come back because I did not sign all of the documents. I wasnt unable to make it until a couple of days later because of my work schedule. However I did come back to the office to sign the documents they were referring to. When I get there the guy told me that I had to give the car back because the trade in needed to much work and he could get me approved for another vehicle. I was so confused as to how they could take the car back? He was really upset and told me that I could not keep the car I had just purchased. It sounded fishy so I called the police and as I was waiting for the police three guys came outside and blocked me in the parking lot so I couldnt leave. Long story short they police said it was a civil case and I needed to file a police report so I ended up having give the new car back and take the old one back! I was so embarrassed and could not believe he lied to get me back to the car lot just to take the car I paid for away! This really messed up credit up because I figured I was training in the car so I would have to pay on the old loan which caused me to be behind now my credit is all screwed.

    Business Response

    Date: 09/12/2023

    Deal did not go through with the finance company, sale was unwound and full deposit was returned to the customer. She was refunded her down payment and her trade in vehicle was returned to her. We waived all cancellation fees as a courtesy

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:08/21/2023

    Type:Service or Repair Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    I purchase a **** **** explore from Smart auto sales in ******** ******* May 30, 2023 for $1500.00.As soon as I left the parking a lot my truck started overheating I call and spoke with ***** he inform me the gauges didnt work but the truck was smoking over the hood come to find out it was a sensor issue. 2 weeks later my truck started overheating heating again this time it was the thermostat. 2 weeks later again my truck started to overheat again now the fan stop working once that was put on the mechanical drove around the block and the truck was still overheating come and find out it was the Clyindering head. My plate been expired since July 14. So I been driving around with expired plate and was told that they had to go to court of July 20 just to get my Title released and it still take up to 3 weeks for the court to mail them my title. Smart auto sales been giving me the running from day on and have not tired to help me.

    Business Response

    Date: 08/22/2023

    Please note that we bought the car back from the customer as of today 8/22/2023 and he was happy with the transaction

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:07/24/2023

    Type:Service or Repair Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    I purchased a vehicle from this car lot July 13th 2023 and last night July 23rd they had someone come and repossess my vehicle with no warning. My first monthly payment wasnt due until august 17th so I wasnt late on anything. So they took my car and said it was reported stolen. It just sounds like there is fraud going on when I have legally documents paper in black and white stating that I purchased this vehicle. They took my money and they took my vehicle.

    Business Response

    Date: 07/24/2023

    Please note that the deal was denied from the bank that we originally got her approved on.  We tried to reach out for the customer various times to return the car back to us and get their full refund back unsuccessfully, we were then forced to repo the vehicle and we refunded her partial refund of her down payment ($500)   .  

    Attached is the notice of fees signed by the customer which we didn't charge her but a total of $500 and not the full amount

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:12/29/2022

    Type:Service or Repair Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    Auto Financed on 11-25-22 (November 25th)Down payment made : $1000 I financed a used **** Escape 2017 with no warranty and with over ******* miles. I was told that if the car had any problems then I should bring the car in to get fixed. About a week ago the engine automatically shut off as a safety precaution because of an antifreeze leak, connected to radiator and thermostat issue. I brought the car to the dealer and they got it running for free but didn't fix the leak or thermostats. The issue arose again 2 days ago and I brought the car back. They got it running again for free but told me I had to come back for the full service because they were busy (they weren't). I documented the visits with pictures because they didn't make any document of the visits or maintenance. Right now I'm trying to get back to the dealership but the engine has shut off again and it doesn't look like they're going to help me get the car in to them and they aren't answering my calls. I believe I've been sold a lemon and I want a warranty on the car now but since it showed issues that prevented it from being driven so soon and they've been also been rude to me especially when I asked about lemon laws I've both decided to file a complaint as per the advice of various agencies I've reached out to.

    Business Response

    Date: 01/09/2023

    Please note that the complaint has been addressed and the vehicle has been fixed to the customer's expectations

Smart Buy Auto Finance is NOT a BBB Accredited Business.

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