Inspection did not reveal alum wiring

I recently bought a house built in 1972. The inspection, by a certified engineer whom I hired, did not reveal any electrical problems. I had to replace a bad breaker last week, and the electrician told me my house has aluminum wiring, which should have been disclosed in my inspection report. Also, I need a new breaker box (about $1,300), because there have been problems with arcing caused by the aluminum wiring. The problem with the breaker box should have been easily visible during the inspection. Fixing the aluminum wiring problem would take another $2,000, to put in special connectors at each switch and receptacle. Is my inspector liable for failing to discover these problems? He said in his report that he did not look in the breaker box because it was blocked with personal belongings, but I did not realize that was important. I think the inspector should have to pay for the repairs. I would not have bought the house if I had known there were wiring problems. I also suspect the aluminum wiring will make the house harder to resell.

[HomeGuru]

The inspector is responsible to determine the wire type ie. copper vs. aluminum per ASHI Standards of Practice. But being that the breaker subpanel was not accessible, this fact may waive the responsibility of the inspector.
The inspector should have made a point to let you know that the interior of the subpanel could not be inspected so that the Seller or real estate agent could have moved storage items etc. at the time or later at a re-inspection which you should have requested.

[faithandhope]

Also your inspector should have pulled the outlet covers off and looked at the connectors. Having alum. wiring is not a bad thing, it just needs retrofitting or pigtailing to make it safer. Usually the reason an inspector makes you aware of it besides that is because your insurance needs to know. Some companies do not cover a house with alum wiring. Guru is right about the breaker box though, inspectors cannot be responsible for inaccessible areas and he did inform you of that, so you knew. I would contact him and give him a chance to get his own second opinion and re-insp. before you make any repairs w/o him getting that oportunity. That can negate his repair or liability clause in some cases, depending on the contract he had w/ you. Best of Luck.