Op asked dealer to replace a part on a 14 yr old vehicle and gave a $500 deposit to seal deal. OP's word meant nothing and backed out and expects dealer to just eat the cost. Dealer could have kept all of the deposit but was honest and gave most of it back except his cost.
I think the dealer was more than fair.
Question for all the dealer beaters out there. If you sold a 14 year old car with the clause you put new tires on it and you received a deposit to seal the deal and the buyer decided not to take it, would you give him back the deposit after you bought the tires?
If you say yes I bet your not being honest.