Buyer Beware

[RoBo]

We live in Illinois and resently bought a "95 Blazer from a used car dealer. We were told the car was "spotless" and that it went thru a THOROUGH safety checkup. Plus we were given a 3 month 3,000 mile warranty on power train items.A few days after buying the car it began making noises so we had our mechanic check it out. We were shocked to find out the vehicle had MAJOR problems like a lifter problem, transmission problem, a power steering leak, needed new front brakes and hadnt had an oil channge in AGES. We called the dealer to tell them of the problems on the "spotless" car and were told to bring it in which we did. Three weeks passed and we are being told it will take AT LEAST 3 MORE WEEKS as they think the car may need a WHOLE NEW ENGINE which they need to negotiate with the warranty company!! We feel this car was misrepresented to us ("spotless"?) and are being held hostage by the dealer and warranty company. We paid in full for a car we wont be able to drive for a long time.Who knows if they'll do the needed repairs. We really just want our money back. Do they have us over a barrel, do we have any legal recourse? Or is this a "buyer beware situation?
Thanks! Roberta N.


11-29

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

My response:

Buying a used vehicle is always "Caveat Emptor" (Latin for "let the buyer beware"). You should have had your own mechanic inspect the vehicle prior to purchase.

Words like "spotless", or "immaculate condition", or "It's a sweet deal" are, in the law, called "PUFFING". Puffing words are meaningless under the law, and not actionable in court against the user of such words or phrases.

In terms of buying a car, what does "spotless" mean? That they ran it though a carwash? That they just painted the car? That there's no dog in the car named "Spot"? These are but a few examples of why "puffing" is meaningless.

Sorry.

IAAL