Finding a reliable car in Atlanta is usually a nightmare of traffic, sketchy Craigslist meetups, and high-pressure showrooms. If you’ve spent any time scouring the East Side for a vehicle or a U-Haul, you’ve likely stumbled across the name MDJ Grayson Auto Sales Atlanta GA. It’s one of those spots that feels like a fixture of the Memorial Drive landscape. But lately, people have been scratching their heads. Is it a used car lot? A truck rental hub? Or something else entirely?
Honestly, the story of MDJ Grayson is a bit of a local puzzle.
Located at 1096 Memorial Dr SE, the business has served a weirdly dual purpose for years. On one hand, it’s a neighborhood staple for U-Haul rentals. On the other, it’s been registered as a used car dealership under the direction of Derrick Grayson. But if you look at the official Georgia Secretary of State records, things took a turn recently. The business was officially dissolved as of September 13, 2024.
That hasn't stopped the phone from ringing.
The Weird Double Life of MDJ Grayson Auto Sales Atlanta GA
Most people don't go to MDJ Grayson to buy a late-model Mercedes. They go because they’re moving into a new apartment in Reynoldstown or Cabbagetown and need a 10-foot box truck.
For a long time, the "Auto Sales" part of the name felt more like a secondary gig. You’d see a handful of cars on the lot, but the sea of orange-and-white U-Hauls usually stole the show. This is pretty common in Atlanta—smaller independent lots often pivot to rental services to keep the lights on when the used car market gets volatile.
But here is where it gets tricky.
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While the U-Haul side of the operation has racked up nearly 1,900 reviews with a decent reputation for being "accommodating," the actual car sales side has been a different story. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) hasn't been nearly as kind. They’ve flagged the business with a failing grade, citing multiple complaints about a very specific, very frustrating issue: car titles.
The Title Trap
Imagine you save up, walk onto a lot, and pay cash for a car. You drive off feeling great. Three months later, you still don't have the permanent tag or the title in your name.
This has been the primary "red flag" for MDJ Grayson Auto Sales Atlanta GA.
One buyer reported paying for a vehicle in full in early 2024 and was still chasing the paperwork months later. When the buyer tried to show up at the office, the management was nowhere to be found. This kind of "ghosting" is a classic sign of a dealership struggling with administrative backlogs or, worse, floor-plan financing issues where they don't actually hold the title from the auction yet.
What’s the Deal with the 2024 Dissolution?
If you check the Georgia Corporations Division today, you'll see that MDJ Grayson Auto Sales LLC is listed as "Dissolved." What does that mean for you?
Basically, as a legal entity, the "Auto Sales" business isn't active. However, the location at 1096 Memorial Dr SE remains a hive of activity. Why? Because the U-Haul "Neighborhood Dealer" side of things often operates under different agreements. Even if the car sales license is defunct or the LLC is closed, the location can still rent trucks.
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It’s a bit of a legal grey area that confuses customers. You see the sign for MDJ Grayson, you see the trucks, so you assume the business is "full steam ahead." But if you’re looking to buy a vehicle there in 2026, you’re essentially dealing with a ghost of a company.
Why the Reviews are So Polarized
If you look up MDJ Grayson Auto Sales Atlanta GA, you’ll see 5-star reviews right next to 1-star warnings. It's wild.
- The 5-Star Crowd: These are almost exclusively U-Haul customers. They talk about how the staff helped them hook up a trailer or how they were the only place in Atlanta with a van available on a holiday weekend.
- The 1-Star Crowd: These are the car buyers. They use words like "scam" and "beware." They talk about mechanical failures within 48 hours and the absolute nightmare of trying to get a refund or a title.
This disconnect happens because the skill set required to hand someone keys to a rental truck is very different from the expertise (and ethics) needed to vet, service, and sell a used motor vehicle.
Navigating the Memorial Drive Car Scene
Look, Memorial Drive is famous for its "Buy Here, Pay Here" lots. It’s a competitive, gritty stretch of Atlanta real estate. MDJ Grayson tried to bridge the gap between a service-based rental hub and a traditional dealership, but the data suggests they stumbled on the "Sales" part.
If you’re currently in a dispute with them, or any dealer in a similar situation, you have a few specific avenues in Georgia:
- The SOS Professional Licensing Board: Used car dealers in Georgia are governed by a specific board. If they don't give you your title within 30 days, they are in violation of state law.
- The Governor’s Office of Consumer Protection: This is your best bet for "unfair or deceptive" practices.
- Magistrate Court: Since many of these cars are sold for under $15,000, "Small Claims" or Magistrate Court is where most of these battles end up.
Real-World Advice for Atlanta Car Buyers
If you’re looking at MDJ Grayson Auto Sales Atlanta GA or any small lot in the 30316 zip code, you’ve gotta be your own detective.
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Don't just look at the Google Maps rating. A business can have 4.5 stars because they give out free sodas to U-Haul renters, while their car buyers are getting fleeced in the back office.
Verify the License
Before you hand over a dime, check the Georgia Secretary of State "Professional Licensing" search. If their used car dealer license is expired or revoked, walk away. Period.
Demand the Title
Never, ever leave a lot without a clear understanding of when that title will be in your hands. In Georgia, the dealer is supposed to handle the registration. If they start making excuses about "the system being down" or "waiting on the mail," it’s a bad sign.
The "U-Haul" Distraction
Just because a business is an authorized U-Haul dealer doesn't mean U-Haul vets their car sales practices. They are independent contractors. U-Haul only cares that the trucks are clean and the trailers are accounted for. They won't help you if the Chevy Malibu you bought from the same lot has a blown head gasket.
Final Practical Steps
If you need a truck for the weekend, MDJ Grayson is likely still a functional spot for a U-Haul pickup on Memorial Drive. Their staff is generally noted as being friendly for those short-term interactions.
However, if you are looking to purchase a vehicle, the fact that the LLC was dissolved in late 2024 is a massive red flag. You should verify the current legal status of any entity you're signing a contract with. Check the VIN of any car on that lot through a third-party service like Carfax or AutoCheck before talking numbers. Most importantly, if they cannot produce a physical title or a guaranteed timeline for registration, do not give them cash.
Moving forward, your best bet for used cars in this part of Atlanta is to look for dealers with "A" ratings from the BBB or those that have been in continuous operation under the same LLC for more than five years. The "fly-by-night" nature of some Memorial Drive lots makes them risky for anyone without a deep knowledge of auto mechanics and contract law.