Action 9: Used car dealership 'For Sale' after accusations of mislabeling

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — "For Sale" signs are up at both locations for a used car dealership that Action 9 has been investigating for almost a year.

Action 9 exposed Auto House in May for mislabeling vehicles and selling them as more expensive models. The state Department of Motor Vehicles and attorney general launched investigations of their own into the used car dealership’s practices.

The DMV revoked Auto House’s license for the Mooresville location in October. The dealer was allowed to stay open while it fought the decision.

Along with the big electronic "For Sale" sign in Mooresville, Stoogenke saw the lot was empty, the name Auto House came down and the big American flags at the business were lowered.

At Auto House's lot in Salisbury, the lot was far from empty Thursday but the front doors were locked during business hours.

Action 9 went back on Friday morning to the Salisbury lot and saw the lot was full of vehicles. But as the day went on, cars were taken out of the lot.

The name Auto House and the big American flags were taken down, just like at the lot in Mooresville lot, and the "For Sale" sign went up.

Action 9 also checked Auto House's social media and website and found that all of it is down.

TIMELINE: Auto House Investigation

• MAY 12:   Action 9 exposes Auto House for selling mislabeled Nissan Altimas. 
• MAY 12:   DMV launches investigation into both Auto House locations: Mooresville and Salisbury.
• MAY 19:   Action 9 confirms Auto House also sold mislabeled RAM pickup trucks. 
• MAY 20:   Attorney General's Office announces it is investigating Auto House.
• JUNE 2:   Action 9 confirms more cases of mislabeled vehicles.
• JUNE 2:   Bank stops financing Auto House customers; another bank confirms it's investigating.
• JUNE 3:   DMV agents execute search warrants at both Auto House locations.
• JUNE 14: Action 9 confirms Auto House also sold a mislabeled Chevy Silverado pickup truck.
• JULY 22:  Multiple customers accuse Auto House of not disclosing vehicle damage.
• OCT. 11:  DMV revokes Auto House's Mooresville license and fines it $33,000.
• OCT. 14:  Auto House gets permission to stay open while it fights DMV decision.
• NOV. 2:   DMV agents believe Auto House lied to get customers financing  
• DEC 1:    Used car dealership 'For Sale' after accusations of mislabeling

Some customers told Action 9 they aren't surprise to see the sign go up.

"My brother bought a car from there," customer Michael Warren said. "My mom bought a car from there about three months ago. They changed their tune after I noticed on the news they were getting investigated."

Auto House eventually admitted in court papers that it did misrepresent vehicles after Action 9 started investigating. It offered 35 customers refunds or trade-ins.

Stoogenke reached out to owners of both lots and their lawyers and asked if Auto House is officially closed. He has not heard back.

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