I purchased several very inexpensive used cars from small dealers over the years as there are great deals to be had. I was interested in a car on this lot that dropped to half the original price in 3 months and couldn't get a response from two websites (Carfax, their own), phone or text, so my gf and I showed up on a Saturday morning. I was informed by the attendant that the car was stored off-site and he could not drive it as it had a manual transmission. The manager would bring the car from storage in a couple of hours. My gf and I drove almost an hour to get there, so we found ways to kill time (Oakland flea market, Crown Beach and a coffee shop across the street). Four hours later, the car finally arrived. I knew the vehicle was crashed from the photos posted, but the attendant did not share that it had been broken into. It not only had the absolute dirtiest interior I have ever seen in a car at a lot, there was broken glass everywhere, the stereo was gone, wires were hanging out of the dash and most of the HVAC controls were missing. I was surprised they would even show it in this sad state. Despite all that, I test drove it, without my gf who couldn't get in because of the glass all over the passenger seat. It drove well and I was assured they would fix the window and clean up the glass. When I followed up with the attendant a few days later via text, he shared photos of the repaired window and gave me an out-the-door price that was significantly more than expected. Remember, I have experience with these transactions, so I asked for an itemized list of the fees. That's when I balked. The last three cars I purchased, all from similar small dealers, were in the same price range and included the typical additional fees (document processing, smog, smog certificate, etc.). The total percentage of the tax, title and license, plus fees relative to the purchase price for those cars was 23%, 24% and 25%. Reasonable. When I calculated the total percentage Axum was charging over and above the purchase price, it was 39%. I shared a screenshot from the DMV website with the attendant that illustrated the estimated sales tax and registration fees at less than $400, yet he was quoting me $450 before their additional charges (for a total of nearly $600 on a car that wasn't even $1500). At this point, the attendant stopped being polite and curtly informed me that was the price and if I could not pay it, they could not sell the car. It was easy for me to walk away because I don't need a vehicle. Had I been in a different situation, I might have paid the inflated price. I checked the out-the-door cost for a different car on another lot yesterday. The percentage of the purchase price for TT&L, even with higher doc fees: 18%. I received a sincere apology from the owner for my less-than-ideal experience. Added a star for the follow-up/accountability and improved customer service. read more

See all

If you're fine with your time being wasted, go here!!! I was trying to sell my car off and was in contact with Allem. We scheduled many days to meet but each time he did not show up. So rude and unprofessional! They will not value your time. They will not follow up with you and they will not keep their word. I ended going with another company that offered me more than what Allem was trying to low ball me for. DO NOT GO HERE IF YOU VALUE YOUR TIME!!! read more

Help auto - Used Car Dealers Near Me - Alameda, California

We have a warranty through you on our prius. Since purchasing the prius we've had three issues The downstream O2 sensor was pointed towards the road and the wire was frayed . We replaced that and then we replaced the upstream O2 sensor . The error is still going on and we are now getting this code: P0420 Code: Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1) Our trusted mechanic is now saying that we need to replace the catalytic converter and his price is $2700. I'm happy to provide you with his contact information and all of the receipts from the work thus far. As part of the warranty, I'd except you to diagnose the issue and if you find the same fault please replace the catalytic converter free of charge and also reimburse us for the other work It seems like the O2 sensor was positioned in a way to mask the actual engine light codes at the time of purchase read more

Axum auto sales the man is a liar and does not keep his word went back and forth with him he wanted payment but the car was not working gave my son problems since day one eventually car stopped working and dude said he was sending his tow truck to pick up and let us know how much damage had or sell and picked up the car no communication after or answer. This was 09/2023 today received ticket car is still in my son's name worst person ever How do we sue read more

They keep changing the name of the shop every other month.. but it doesn't change anything about the business. Still ran by the same people who are all greedy over all the cars. They don't want to sell these cars! These cars have been sitting here for years and never get sold because they ILLEGALLY ask for 2x more down payments than normal so they can make huge profits. They asked me for 10k down on an old car with over 150k miles on it. When I tried to shop for another car they kept giving me BS illegal deals. They only "hook people up" that they personally know or family . This isn't a friendly buisness and the owner is greedy. They had a yellow convertible sitting there for years . Don't come here read more

Tried to sell me a Camry for $6,000 with obvious mechanical issues. I drove it to my mechanic 30 min away to have it inspected before purchasing and the entire underbelly of the car was rusted with repairs exceeding $4000. My mechanic's words: "If I didn't have customers until the end of day, I would tow you back to Alameda so you didn't have to drive this coffin back to their lot" Just another shady sales lot that buys at auctions, doesn't do a thorough inspection, and then attempts to flip at the highest price possible. read more

My son bought a beat up infinity g35 dents off white but low mileage 3000 down 300 biweekly till October this year 2023 nothing but issues was responsive took car to his mechanic supposedly fixed charge my son gave back check engine light smoke coming engine and now making noise has not responded to text my call goes straight to voicemail my child should of know better but this establishment should not take advantage pf people bad credit in-house finance buckets don't do it read more

I almost never write reviews- especially bad ones- but damn I am upset! Granted they did sell me a good car at a good price, but their communication SUCKSSSSSSS and they are quite unorganized. I paid off my car early and have asked them 6+ times to make an appointment to get my plates put on, but they keep flaking and/or not answering their phone despite it being business hours. They're nice ppl and I was surprised by how low their reviews were, but unfortunately I get it now :(((( I'm disappointed to be writing a review as bad as this one. read more

So saw a car posted on car gurus from this place. Called several times was told the car was available wanted to set up a time to go test drive. Dealer said he would call to confirm the date never got back to me. Call several more times never answered the phone. Have a friend who lives near by had him go over to check it out. Car was not on the lot. Dealer said it was in a warehouse he would have it there Friday morning. Called Friday morning. No answer so drove down anyway. Business wasn't even open even though sign says open 7 days a week. Car was not there. Don't do business we these people they are shady. read more

Guys are complete obsolete , car had obvious mechanical issues promised a call back after they got it inspected cut the long story short never got a call back , save ur time there are many dealers and cars available. read more

I had a pretty good experience buying an old Camry at Axum. They let me take the car for a long drive (an hour) and then let me take it to a local mechanic for another two hours for a pre-sale inspection (at my expense). There are a number of nearby mechanics in Alameda who will do a thorough inspection for between $130 and $200, which is a small price to pay when you're buying a car for five or ten thousand dollars. You might have to pay a little extra if you want an immediate inspection. I used Google and Yelp to find a mechanic who would do an inspection right away. After I got the car inspected at the nearby Alameda Auto Care Center, I talked to Allem, Axum's CEO, about some of the inspection issues and he said he'd fix them before or after I bought the car. I bought the car that day and then took it to Axum's repair shop in Fremont the next day and his very competent mechanic did a great job of fixing the problems at no cost. My one complaint is that it took longer than I expected for Axum to submit all the paperwork to the DMV to get the car registered. I've asked around and this is apparently a problem with most car dealers in the area. Dealers have 90 days to submit the paperwork and they apparently save up a bunch of purchases and submit them all at once every week or two. When I explained that I really needed the registration to be be done quickly because I needed to get a residential parking permit, Allem expedited the process. All in all, I think Axum is an honest car dealer and I'd buy from them again. read more

horrible I got a car from them I paid $2500 down then they wanted me to pay 2 $600 a month notes and 1 $540 note the car kept cutting off after I test drove it I made it home only for it to cut off again while I drove to the store so basically I had the car for 1 day and it's messing up they towed it to fix it the guy drives it back to my city I drive my car thinking they fixed the problem and it was still cutting off on me so I got my money back but they charged me $170+$75 paper work stop and restock fee and they had to come get the car towed to Oakland again their cars are straight trash on the lot read more

Very bad customer service l had bad experience with this dealer l couldn't communicate with phone call or text message

This dealership is fraudulent, do not buy from these people. I have owned a 2002 Mazda MPV ES since I purchased it in 2002. I am looking for an engine replacement as mine now has 200,5000 miles and has a small internal coolant leak. When I saw another 2002 MPV on Carfax with only 79,000 miles for $3995 I considered purchasing it mainly for the engine. I drove 102 miles to see the vehicle. It had more real miles on it than mine. The odometer read 71,000 mile, obviously set back. How? The brake pedal was worn more than mine . The undercarriage was severely rusted, drivers door filled with bondo not even sanded or painted. How this car showed a one owner, low milage carfax report is incomprehensible. Axum motors is attempting to sell a vehicle that has been sitting in water,a flood? with an altered odometer . Carfax needs to investigate this dealer. I am reporting to California DMV as a fraudulent vehicle. read more

Do not buy here way over priced for mediocre/awful cars. Mine had terrible transmission problems only after a few months.

Over 3 months later and I do not have my title and license place. The owner was again very dismissive. Did not apologize for not filing the paperwork in time. He is very rude over the phone and in person and he just says it's the DMV. I called the DMV and they let me know the paperwork was filed two months after the car sale. I have never seen a worse customer service than this place. read more

People tried to sell me a car with obvious break problems. The salesman told us he did not hear them and he will get it checked on and call us back. they sold the car the day after and never contacted me read more

I went to Axum with my son to purchase a first car for my grandson recently. The agent that helped us was Robel. He was very professional, accommodating, efficient, and answered all our many questions. The car we were interested in and purchased seemed in decent condition. I would recommend Axum to friends and family. read more