Used Car from Dealer - false Title History

[MommaD]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Texas - car bought in Mississippi

I purchased a car (used) from a reputable New/Used Car dealer in Mississippi 6 months ago.

I took it in to a new car dealer to get a trade in value as we are now interested in getting a new car and I was told that the CarFax report shows 3 prior accidents (prior to my purchase 6 months ago). The dealer provided me with a report from Auto Check (Comparable to carfax) at the time of purchase (I still have a copy) that shows no negative history on the title.

Of course, the value of the car is SIGNIFICANTLY less based on this information. Do I have an recourse? How should I proceed?

I did call and speak to the General Manager who QUICKLY went on the defensive letting me know there is nothing they can or will do about it - basically that it is my problem and I should take it up with AutoCheck.

 

[TimStudiesLaw]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Texas - car bought in Mississippi

I purchased a car (used) from a reputable New/Used Car dealer in Mississippi 6 months ago.

I took it in to a new car dealer to get a trade in value as we are now interested in getting a new car and I was told that the CarFax report shows 3 prior accidents (prior to my purchase 6 months ago). The dealer provided me with a report from Auto Check (Comparable to carfax) at the time of purchase (I still have a copy) that shows no negative history on the title.

Of course, the value of the car is SIGNIFICANTLY less based on this information. Do I have an recourse? How should I proceed?

I did call and speak to the General Manager who QUICKLY went on the defensive letting me know there is nothing they can or will do about it - basically that it is my problem and I should take it up with AutoCheck.

Carfax and AutoCheck are two different companies, why would you expect their information be exactly the same?

 

[MommaD]

Carfax and AutoCheck are two different companies, why would you expect their information be exactly the same?

It isn't that I expect their information to be EXACTLY the same but one says no wrecks, clean title and the other says 3 accident??? It's that I was sold a vehicle from a reputable business only to find out that it was under false pretences. I paid a price for the vehicle on a value of a used, clear title vehicle.

AutoCheck and Car Fax sell you reports that they apparently stand behind. So is my beef with them or the dealership?

Also I took the car back shortly after the purchase because I noticed the hood and the bumper didn't connect properly. I questioned whether or not it had been wrecked at that time and was assured it hadn't. They told me it must have been from when they replaced a light.

 

[TimStudiesLaw]

You don't know for sure the dealership did anything wrong yet. For that matter, you don't know that AutoCheck did anything wrong either. The two companies more than likely get their information from similar, yet different sources - much like the different credit reporting agencies. If the sources are not the same, the results won't be the same.

To at least verify the integrity of the dealership, you could pull your own report on AutoCheck and compare that against the dealership's version of the same report. It will cost you $15.

 

[Zigner]

And, lastly, AutoCheck has NO obligation to you (in this instance), as you didn't buy a report from them.

 

[MommaD]

And, lastly, AutoCheck has NO obligation to you (in this instance), as you didn't buy a report from them.

Understood. I suppose that is why I initially felt I should take it up with the dealer who would then take it up with AutoCheck since they are the ones who purchased a report from them but question... Even if the car has indeed been wrecked the dearlership also is under no obligation to me?

 

[TimStudiesLaw]

Even if the car has indeed been wrecked the dearlership also is under no obligation to me?

They cannot disclose something they are unaware of.