Quick question

[Joemckna]

What is the name of your state- VA AND PA

Hey all, new to the forum!

I'm a VA resident and I purchased a used vehicle from a dealer in PA. I looked over the car and noticed an oil leak and a few other questionable things. Dealer said they would knock a few hundred off the final price and did. I was told that if I bought the car and something else would arrise(after I had looked over by a mechanic back in VA) that they would take care of the service bill.

To make it short, I purchased the car. When I returned to VA I had the car looked over by an ASE certified shop and was given a two page list of major items that were wrong with the car; fuel leaks, major component failures in the suspension, brake and driving system etc... I was also told by the shop that the car was extremely dangerous to drive, is in really bad shape and should not have been driven back from PA. They were suprised I didn't fly off of the road... Service estimate exceeded the value I paid for the car by almost $1000.

When I had asked the dealer initially about the oil leaks and some of the noises, they told me that the car went through a 141 point inspection by the dealer and had a valid 09 PA state inspection sticker. Car was sold "as is". I didn't purchase a warranty and the only agreements I made with the dealer for service after the fact was verbal and was not put in writing.

I faxed the service look over/estimate sheet over to the dealer(as we agreed too) and haven't heard anything from them in almost two weeks. I've since put a stop order on the check I wrote the dealer. I still have possession of the car. I've resisted calling the dealer because I don't want to say or agree to anything since this dealer has scammed me. The car obviously did not go through this 141 point inspection by the dealer and the PA state inspection sticker on the car is blank(no VIN or service-dealer signatures on the back) and in my mind, it's questionable how on this car passed and recieved that sticker... The mechanics seems to agree.

The dealer knowingly put me and my family in danger when they assured me that the car was in good running order when it obviously wasn't. I just keep thinking about all of the icy moutain roads that I drove through over the course of 4 hours. What if the brakes would've failed? What if the car would've caught on fire because of the fuel leak? The dealer mis-represented what they were selling me, assured and guranteed me that they had inspected the car and nothing was wrong with it when I looked it over. They obviously lied and put my life in danger!..

Any suggestions legally? Should I seek out a lawyer? Do I have a case?

[AnotherMoron]

Originally Posted by Joemckna

Car was sold "as is". I didn't purchase a warranty and the only agreements I made with the dealer for service after the fact was verbal and was not put in writing.

Enjoy your car. What part of 'as is' was confusing? The written contract trumps any verbal agreement.

[Joemckna]

Ok guy, there wasn't anything confusing to me about "as is". If it was so cut and dry I obviously wouldn't be here asking.

Any other takers?

Under any other laws, based off of the mis-representation of the condition of the vehicle by the dealer and putting me in danger, would I have anything on them? Are they allowed to get away with this?

[racer72]

You can also expect some negative legal ramifications from cancelling the check.

[BL]

Call the State's DMV - safety inspections Dept. in the State you bought the vehicle .

I'm not going to look it up , but you may have recourse here .

First being , A used car dealer could not affix a Safety inspection sticker w/ safety inspection failure .

The DMV could investigate the issue .

Second , you could ONLY be reimbursed the cost of Safety defects .

I had an issue in my State with such issues .

I had the choice of going through a DMV hearing and let them decide what amount I would be due , or small claims court and a separate ( DMV hearing so DMV could do there part against the dealer ) .

I went to small claims , the attended the DMV hearing .

So, even though if your documents State " as-is " , it's not always that way from a Dealer ( new or used ) .

[Joemckna]

Thank you for the info, I apprecaite it!

[Willlyjo]

Originally Posted by Joemckna

Thank you for the info, I apprecaite it!

If I purchased a car "AS IS" like you did and was told verbally as you were, that it passed a 141 pt. inspection and it had a suspicious sticker signifying it was State Inspected, but non the less the car was proven to be unsafe and in such need of repair at a price higher than purchase, I would be very happy if I were in the position you are in to be able to remedy the situation by stopping payment on the check and giving the car back. You must document the serious condition the car is in as well as take pictures of the suspicious State Inspection Tag. I assume there should be a copy of said 141 pt. inspection sheet which you can compare to your mechanic's report describing needed repairs and unsafe conditon. Under these circumstances, they may try to litigate against you for stopping payment on a check but in your defense, if you could show their obvious Misrepresentation, you should prevail.

[Antigone*of*Greece]

Originally Posted by Willlyjo

If I purchased a car "AS IS" like you did and was told verbally as you were, that it passed a 141 pt. inspection and it had a suspicious sticker signifying it was State Inspected, but non the less the car was proven to be unsafe and in such need of repair at a price higher than purchase, I would be very happy if I were in the position you are in to be able to remedy the situation by stopping payment on the check and giving the car back. You must document the serious condition the car is in as well as take pictures of the suspicious State Inspection Tag. I assume there should be a copy of said 141 pt. inspection sheet which you can compare to your mechanic's report describing needed repairs and unsafe conditon. Under these circumstances, they may try to litigate against you for stopping payment on a check but in your defense, if you could show their obvious Misrepresentation, you should prevail.

Willijo...this one is three-feet in the grave. You are bordering on necroposting. Stick to the new stuff, please.

[Willlyjo]

Originally Posted by Wirelessany1

Willijo...this one is three-feet in the grave. You are bordering on necroposting. Stick to the new stuff, please.

Hmmm...I'm curious...What is necroposting? Please explain what it was about my last post that makes you feel it is 3 feet in the grave.