Auto Center in
Front Royal (VA)

If I could give a 0 star I would. Went all the way from winchester to get a car i saw on their website. Was rushed through the entire process to get the car. Was only able to test drive it around the parking lot. On the way home from getting it I noticed the car had an extreme vibration. I called them the next day to be told the manager wasnt in but would return my call. 2 weeks later still no call so I called again. The manager was completely rude. She claimed they dont sell cars with known issues. I explained that the tires are dry rotted, the electric window buttons dont work, there is a massive vibration in the front and the check engine light started flashing 3 days after having it. She had me call the shop they use. I explained all of this to the man at the shop who wanted me to take the car to front royal. I was not driving this car with a flashing check engine light from Winchester to front royal. He said have it towed. I told him I should in now way after only having this car 2 weeks and putting 1200 down should I have to pay to have it towed to the shop. I called back to the office where I was told they would see what they could do and get back to me. I heard nothing. I made my first payment anyway hoping it would show my interest in keeping the car. Still heard nothing. I called and was told I would get a call back again and still nothing. Next thing I know they repossess the car instead of offering a solution to fixing it. They kept the 1200 I put down and the first payment and instead of giving me a solution to have the car fixed so that it could be usable they take it. I will never refer this place to anyone. I will tell everyone I know to avoid this place at all costs. Absolutely shameful. To reply to your reply.... I got a total of 3 days use out of the vehicle before the flashing check engine light came on. I did contact the shop and then again contacted the office. There was never a solution provided as I should not have had to pay 1200 down then you expected another 600 for tags all for a vehicle that had bad tires faulty electrical switches a massive vibration and a flashing check engine light all found within 3 days time and lord knows what else would have been found. I find it funny how here and on reviews elsewhere your go to response is to always blame the customers. Yet it is funny how the reviews all state the same issue. You selling faulty vehicles and refusing to fix them even when being contacted just shortly after getting the vehicles home. You are expecting people to spend over 10k for a vehicle while replacing part after part to be able to drive the vehicle right after getting it from you. Buying used vehicles is not an excuse for selling vehicles with mechanical issues. My getting the vehicle in November goes to show how long I have tried to give you the chance to offer a safe and reasonable solution to this problem. When getting a car used or not off a lot I should not have to pay to have it towed back for repair, be without it while being fixed, listen to excuses about the issues it has, all within the first week of getting it. Let alone being expected to make payments on a vehicle that you can not drive because it is unsafe for the road. I see now further steps will need to be taken in this matter. I hope you scam the wrong person one day 😉

Can't give zero stars or i would. These ppl gave us 2 mins to test drive around their parking lot. Figured it had a new inspection sticker so should be ok. They rushed us out the door. On the way home noticed a slight misfire figured it might have been from sitting. Misfire got much worse. Woke up the next day one of the tires was flat looked at all of them they where covered in dry rot just lots of tire shine to make them look new. Called them and they told us to drive the vehicle that was limping at this point 45 mins away to the shop the illegally passed it for inspection I know this because I run a repair shop and had my state inspector look at it and said it should have never passed. After that phone call never heard anything else from them. Had them just pick the vehicle up and now they got my 1200 down payment and I lost a vehicle because these ppl are a scam. They dont care about their customers just about the money. Do not buy anything from these ppl. I will be contacting the state police about the illegal passed inspection they provided me and my family who would be in this car. Glad a tire never blew out with my children in it.

I had one good experience (only because previous owner was an angel at keeping up with their car) second go round was not as good. Their mechanic is god awful that they use, he allowed them to put a failing transmission on the lot. Knowing they don’t do warranty’s or like to fix anything when you discover it. I had my mobile mechanic check it out and he said there was no way they didnt know the transmission was failing, transmission oil was bone dry. Be mindful buying from them and please take it to your own mechanic because theirs only wants money.

UPDATE AT THE END AFTER THREE YEARS: I bought my first financed car from this dealership. The salesman was really nice and helpful. The car, truck and suv selection is good. I do have one warning for potential buyers. One of the female managers is VERY RUDE for no reason. My roommate was with me and wanted to buy a car also. This woman incorrectly ASSUMED that we are a couple so she told my roommate that since we “were practically married” they wouldn’t sell my roommate a vehicle for ninety days. This is complete and utter BS. I wasn’t using my roommate to co-sign the loan and my roommate had nothing to do with me purchasing a vehicle. I didn’t have anything in my roommate’s purchase either. I watched this same woman treat a Hispanic lady very rudely. My roommate is black. It makes me wonder if this lady is actually racist. If I had not already bought my car I would have walked out right then. So buyer beware and don’t be shocked if the woman behind the counter is beyond rude. It makes me curious if the the owner condones her behavior. It is because of this woman that I’m rating three stars. If it wasn’t for her rude behavior I would rate them higher. READ THE FINE PRINT. YOU ARE PAYING EVERY TWO WEEKS SO THAT CAN MEAN THREE TIMES IN ONE MONTH. They will work with you if you have done a good job of paying on time.

I picked out a Buick Encore had some trouble with it. Auto Center stood by us and fixed the car. Now it runs great we Love it!!

Sold a truck and refused to make it to a older person and the truck is a complete lenon.18 different things wrong frame rested out .How does a dealer Sale junk like this to people.

Here's a refined version of your message: "I can only describe this place as a scam, with all their cars being of poor quality. We purchased two vehicles here, and both have had significant issues. My husband still owns his Hyundai Sonata, which has faced nothing but problems. We've had to replace the engine twice, thankfully at no cost due to Hyundai's warranty. We’ve also replaced the battery, manifold, starter, serpentine belt, and tensioner, and in just two years, it now needs a new exhaust because it was bent when we bought it—something we didn’t realize until later, which has even damaged the back bumper. The staff invariably makes excuses, claiming these issues weren't present at the time of sale. When I reported these problems, the woman at the front desk dismissed my concerns, despite my considerable experience in car repairs, having learned from my father. If my husband's car breaks down completely, we won't invest any more money into it. This dealership should be investigated regarding the quality of their vehicles and the skills of their mechanics. I advise against using their mechanics, as they clearly sell lemon cars, which raises concerns about their repair capabilities. They are deceptive, manipulating customers into buying their cars and presenting themselves falsely as reputable. They rush potential buyers without allowing a proper inspection. They don’t deserve any stars! I recommend MZ Auto in Stephens City; they are a used dealership with better ratings, and their cars actually run well."

Very friendly with a $900 down payment you can get a car with a interest a little high but is ok

I came here to look at a car today that we had previously called about for our mom. The salesman had nicely tucked the car away from the lot to keep it for us which was appreciated. Upon inspecting it myself, I found two different significant oil leaks on the newly washed engine within 5 minutes of looking. When I showed him he immediately apologized and said he hadn't looked at it very closely "to be honest", but yet had the vehicle listed for sale and was planning to sell it to our elderly mom he spoke with over text for $7000 that same day... completely wasting our time and trip out here when we were ready to purchase outright. Make sure you bring your own mechanic or have the car inspected by a professional .I wouldn't trust any car from their lot with these kind of practices. Of course older cars will have issues, but listing an obviously mechanically flawed car for so much and no disclosure while trying to just scrub away all leaks is rough.

This auto dealer has always been good to me. I've bought 3 cars in total from them over the last 20 years never had a problem with any of them. I worked with Luis this time around and am so excited about my newest investment. I would absolutely suggest this place for the quality of automobiles on the lot so many to choose from. Luis was very polite and respectful I would suggest him to anyone also honest. I will continue to buy from here hopefully for many years to come

This place sucks, sell a suv and 4 days off the lot the check engine light comes on for bad sensors that need replaced and the drivers side window stops working! They won’t take the vehicle back and be fair about it at all. They sell junk! Go somewhere else or buy a lemon!

A month ago, I bought a car from this dealership. At first, they were very friendly, but once you sign the purchase contract, their attitude completely changes — they become very disrespectful, especially a man who calls himself Billy. When I bought the car, they told me I had a one-month warranty to make any claims or request any repairs, and that they would take full responsibility. The very same day I bought it, the check engine light came on. I called Billy, and he told me not to worry, to keep driving it, and that he would schedule an appointment with their mechanic. And he did. When I brought the car in, they told me they were going to replace the catalytic converter and that it would take at least one or two days. However, just an hour and a half after I dropped off the car, they called me saying it was ready. All they did was turn off the check engine light — the issue was still there. I called again to let him know the problem hadn’t been fixed, and he promised me another appointment with the mechanic. But ever since then, he’s just been giving me the runaround: that it’ll be another day, next week, the mechanic isn’t in, the boss is away, and so on. I trusted his word and didn’t push during the one-month warranty period because he already knew the car had issues from the beginning. Once the month passed, the car broke down completely — it won’t start or move. When I called him, he told me it was no longer his problem and that I had to pay for the repairs myself, that they wouldn’t take responsibility. All I want to say is that this man who calls himself Billy —and I don’t even know if that’s his real name— is a dishonest person with no integrity. My recommendation is to never buy a car from this dealership. They treat customers terribly and act like they’re doing you a favor instead of honoring their responsibilities.

This place is a scam they are selling cars that are no good and lied to us about the car having new parts and we haven't had the car 30days without it breaking down. The owner who is a lady is very rude and nasty we have not missed a payment even when it stopped running these people are unprofessional and there cars are not worth the headache, please have a mechanic on site before buying from these people they are the worst car dealer in front Royal And to respond to the message from you all first of all your sales man lied and said all new parts were put on that truck and when we took it to a mechanic it had a 5 year old battery that went dead a month after me ha ing it and driving to and from work also the oil pan is leaking the brakes are bad and it is def. Not what your salesman told me I was getting I told him I would have chosen a better car but he insisted it ran well which was a lie also your owner who is a lady is rude and my husband had to call the law first which is unprofessional even when the car didn't run we still made our payments we have not missed one payment and were treated very rude that's how you treat your paying customer and no one was rude until your owner got loud and very rude with my husband when we are paying customers, we have just moved to the front Royal area and was treated very bad, I also feel it's a race thing as well, but we have lawyers to handle this type of thing also are tags are not dead you gave us a 2nd temp tag because when we came to get our tags we kept getting the run around again you guys are unprofessional and the worst place to buy a car from. Also the officer who came to diffuse the situation also warned us about your vehicles saying you all were horrible smh that says enough for me

This is the best dealership I've ever dealt with. They work with you as much as they can. They are very understanding. As with any car u may get one that has a few problems but with this dealership they try their best to help even then. Everyone's always so friendly. A few of my family members and a few other people I know have gotten their vehicle here and I'll keep recommending them.

I’ll be honest I was hesitate going here based on some of the reviews but I went a head and tried my luck. I ended up getting a 2016 Hydunai Elantra it’s been a little over a year ago and I’ve never had any problems, that being said I did take it for a pre-purchase inspection which I would recommend anyone to do when buying from a buy here pay here. Everyone there has been nothing but nice to me and as far as the repos go, they will work with you if they know you’re good for it AND you reach out to them and explain the situation.

This is the best place I’ve ever worked with. The team is amazing (from sales to manager) especially Emily and Crystal) these 2 ladies are amazing!! I didn’t get the salesman’s name but he was awesome as well. Reviews that I read on this dealership are negative. But you have to respect people as you want to be respected!! That’s the way things work in this day and age!! You are buying a second hand vehicle, so you could just be buying someone else’s problem. Even a new vehicles have issues and recalls!! Keep up the TERRIFIC work team, you all are amazing!!!💯 Satisfied

The worst customer service ever. Lady behind the desk yelled at my fiancé and did not listen to anything that was said. We originally went to get my mom a car but she didn’t have all her documents so my fiancé decided to get one for himself.They assumed so much. Not sure what happened to this place it used to be decent but we will never get a car from here again. What an embarrassment.

Bought a car from here back in March within a month we started having issues. And it's been nothing but issues, transmission is shot, catalytic converter is not working right and it's just one thing after another. I would not trust this auto place. I regret sending any of my hard earned money here. Now I have a to buy a new car that will hopefully last us a good while. Thanks for the lemon 1. No because I remember looking at your reviews and seeing how you guys don't seem to care nor help. I also wouldn't trust you guys considering you guys sell lemons. I have my own trusted mechanic. Transmission is trash and to fix was more than what we bought it for so we will not ever consider your company nor will we recommend you guys 2. If there was an account it would be under my husbands name not mine. We bought the car outright. 3. I will bash your company because you guys sell lemons and I want to warn others so they don't meet the same fate. Have a great day :)

I'm gonna be the odd ball I guess.... I absolutely LOVE this place! And the ladies here have always been great to us. (Heres something for other customers...mostly the ones on here leaving bad reviews....try being nice and respectful to them....it goes along way, youd have to have pretty tough skin to work here and deal with all the crazys that come in. Also heres a thought....maybe pay your payments on time..🤷 I'm just saying.... but honestly think about it....most of the people that come in there about their cars...normally are customers, who didn't pay their payments and their cars got repo'd. Those ladies deal with threats daily I'm sure, people getting in their faces, cussing them, the nasty phone calls, etc...but you not paying for your car isn't their fault. So be mad at yourself and give them a break. This is a buy here pay here place that has been in business ALONG time. AND I will say where else are you gonna go in this area and get a NICE car 2009 or newer for the down payment amount you put down, and the payment options they give when you have crappy credit, no credit, or starting over credit? Not to many places....without going hours down the road. One more thing...we had an issue with our suv we purchased 6mths ago as far as a repair needed, plus i had questions about our loan and if we would have any options....I called and spoke with Crystal....SHE WAS ABSOLUTELY GREAT! VERY PROFESSIONAL! We definitely will continue to use Auto Center for our car purchases.

Poor customer service. Try to do a volunteer surrender with payments fully up to date and they want to threaten law and want to complain about minor blemishes some that were caused by me and some were already there but wouldn’t effect value of truck. I definitely wouldn’t recommend! There are more buy here pay here’s in Winchester with better customer service! Ask around do your research! I do not recommend!

This place is pathetic! If you are searching for a vehicle and do not live in Front Royal do not purchase a vehicle from here. I never received my lein release from this place and when I called to request it; the first time, the guy who picked up the phone told me that the ladies whom complete this process were out of the office, and asked I call back another day. I finally called today and I explained to the lady I spoke to, that I had never received a lein release, and so I was calling to request one; she immediately was rude and said they couldn’t keep mailing it out to me and it wasn’t their fault that they kept mailing it and I wasn’t getting it. I gave her the same energy back and told her I had never requested it ever once before, and this was my first time. She then decied to tell me that they don’t mail lein releases or titles; somehow when she received the same energy she was giving, now they randomly don’t mail them, when a guy told me before “the person who does the process is out” and initially she assumed I had already called several times (she doesn’t hear to comprehend, rather to argue or had an issue with my name not being Peggy, Sue or Rebecca because she was immediatly rude when she heard my name, Araceli Juarez)! Then I asked for the address and she gave me the wrong address, I also requested to speak to the owner. I was then connected to a female owner who didnt even introduce themselves by name, or acknowlege they were the owner until I directly asked. This “business owner” said they do not deal with Maryland MVA (that has nothing to do with me, I just live in MD) and have a policy not to send things by mail because they could get lost in the mail and create a whole issue. I offered to send money to pay for certified mail and she responded they have a policy in place not to mail anything. I explained I live in Md and she asked why it wasn’t in issue to travel and purchase the car, but now I was having an issue to travel and pick up a document! I asked her to listen to herself; traveling to make a big purchase makes sense while traveling to pick up paper does not! She said it wasn’t their responsability to send documents to the buyers which is ridiculous because I have purchased several vehicles from Md, Pa and Va and I have never heard of any dealership having an issue mailing the buyer a lein release to prove they’ve satisfied their loan. A dealership who can’t afford paper and a stamp to service a buyer is pathetic!

Now I have gotten 2 cars from Smoots but this last experience was a nightmare. I bought a 2012 GMC from them with a messed up transmission. They should have never sold me that truck and was so rude that I was upset about wasting 1,500 for the down payment as if money grows on trees. I’m definitely disappointed I have had nothing but a good experience each time I went and always recommended them to people. WATCH OUT FOR THEM.

Very nice people 2nd car I got from them very pleased keep up the good work

Pathetic drivers that endanger community members. Not only did the driver pull out in front of our vehicle, he then proceeded to swerve into the left side of the beginning of the lane split. He received some choice words as there was a 2 year old in the car he attempted to hit and spouted some garble that showed how deep his lack of education goes. Ashame stupid people have such egos. Because unfettered, unprovoked road rage during the holidays against a mother and toddler is what he needed to feel big about himself. 👍🏻

this place is totally a rip off, the ppl in there are very prejudice, rude and unhelpful. My daughter got a car from them and has had problems with every sense. You can pay your car up to a 0 balance and they still be trying to get money from you. Hell you can go into there with no license and get a car, to be honest I feel they are scamming ppl out of their money. I would never get a car from this place, I get all my cars from Woodbridge Auction and never had a problem with any of them not one. Stop going there, they don't like ppl of color any ways, if I could do a minus 0 I would

I got my 2013 durango from them and love it. They are easy to work with. Super nice people , very friendly. Would definitely buy another vehicle from them. I have recommended them to my family and friends. Thanks again guys

Here is my honest review of this dealership. Unless you have an extra couple thousand dollars to put into repairs, I would not buy from here. I recommend going to a place where you can have a warranty, especially if you’re buying your first car. I bought my car from here a couple of months ago, and since then I’ve had to put over $3,000 dollars of work into it. They will send you to their mechanic, but their mechanic is not to be trusted, especially if you read the reviews.. they will either send you back with you car and have the same issues or your car will leave worse then it was. It’s hit or miss with any used car dealership you go to but I seriously reccomended asking if you can get it thoroughly looked at before you go buying a car from here. The prices are fair, and it seems like you’re getting an amazing deal but you have no idea the problems some of these cars actually have. If I were you, I would not buy from this dealership and go to a place where you can have a warranty if anything goes wrong.