A woman in Rosedale, Maryland, was supposed to get a car in exchange for thousands of dollars. Unfortunately for her, the deal was done with an unlicensed individual, and the vehicle she eventually received was unusable. One year later, her luck has changed, and she now has a functioning vehicle at her disposal.
As reported by WMAR2 News, Debra Godsey made a deal with Vehicle Veterans back in 2025. She agreed to pay $2,800 in exchange for a vehicle.
Citing the Motor Vehicle Administration, the outlet reported that Vehicle Veterans was not and was never registered as a used car dealer. And while its business license remains active, the owner, Michael Henry, remained silent after being contacted by WMAR2 News.
Eventually, the woman did receive her vehicle back in the day. To her surprise, however, it was not what she expected.
An Unusable Car
Debra detailed to the outlet that the car she received was in such poor condition that she needed to insert transmission fluid every time she used it. A total hassle, the Maryland woman eventually decided to dispose of it. She never got her money back.
Once again, without a vehicle, Debra was forced to take the bus and light rail to travel to her job. This commute was hours long, as her Arundel Mills job is around 20 miles away from her Rosedale home.
“Catch one bus, get on the light rail. Get off at BWI, catch another bus, and then get deposited at Medieval Times and walk here,” she told the outlet.
A Nonprofit to the Rescue
At the time when WMAR2 News reported on Debra’s case, she was informed about Vehicles for Change, a nonprofit that helps families in need get used vehicles for their transportation needs.
President and founder of Vehicles for Change, Martin Schwartz, explained that a car “provides a family access to life itself,” as it is an important tool that many can use to get to the grocery store, attend their children’s school activities, and beyond.
Schwartz, however, advised that vehicle donations had decreased since the COVID-19 pandemic, with around 400 yearly cars awarded plummeting to just 71 in 2025. Fortunately for Debra, however, she was one of the lucky ones.
Finally, a Functioning Vehicle
After her whole ordeal with her previous deal going south, Debra eventually got hold, thanks to the nonprofit, of a 2008 Toyota RAV4. She was, to say the least, happy.
“One owner. No accidents. 58,881 miles. That’s it,” Debra said. “And I have placed about at least 300 of them on there myself since I received this. I am truly, truly, truly blessed.”
Now, the Maryland woman can leave work at night and be sure that she’ll be able to arrive home safe, without the need to refill her transmission fluid.