Used Car Problems

[NachoMomma]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? VA

About a week after buying a used car (2006 PT Cruiser), there was a small chirping sound so I took it back to the used car dealership (we had a 30 day warranty) and they said they couldn't hear it - no inspection or anything. Another week later it's a little louder and they say the mechanic isn't in. We call. No go. We call again. No one there to look at it. 30 days is up.

We've had it for three months now so I took her to the Chrysler dealership (by the way - when we bought it we were told that we had the used car dealerships 30 warranty, but there was still time under the original manufacturers warranty). The service rep notices the noise right away. She gets the VIN and then sits at the computer.

"UH-OH" My panic lights turn on in my head. "I have history with this car. Did you know it's been in an accident?"

WTF??

She said that "Used Cars" (where we bought the car from) brought the car in because they had just purchased it at auction and wanted repairs done because it was still under warranty. Chrysler started repairs but it was not covered under warranty because the damage was all accident related - and there's frame damage. "Used Cars" said to stop all repairs because it wasn't under the warranty and made Chrysler put the damaged pieces (compressor and power steering stuff) back on the car and refused to pay for previous work and took the car still damaged.

She said that MY CAR is the reason that they no longer deal with "Used Cars" at all.

The total estimated damages: $3000! Kelly Blue Books says in excellent condition it's worth $9500 (Which is what we paid).

When we bought the car, the dealer provided a carfax report and there was nothing on it. When I got home today I ran it again and sure enough, there is no accident on it. I contacted carfax and was told that they only have police reported accidents so if it wasn't reported then they don't know.

I feel so screwed over. We didn't find out in our 30 days after buying the car, so we can't legally take it back in our warranty period. I feel totally ripped off. They knew it was damaged and even tried to fix it. They showed us the carfax saying it was a clean car - but they still knew it had been damaged. They sold it as it was in excellent condition - but there's $3000 of damage in there!!

I just don't know where to go from here. I've been researching all day and just can't seem to find the answers. I did find other reports/stories of people that bought cars from them that had been in accidents and all have been unresolved.

Is this just tough luck or is there something that can be done?

[Zigner]

Didn't your pre-purchase inspection by your own mechanic uncover any of this?