• FreeAdvice has a new Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, effective May 25, 2018.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our Terms of Service and use of cookies.

Dealer claimed car accident free, lies...

Accident - Bankruptcy - Criminal Law / DUI - Business - Consumer - Employment - Family - Immigration - Real Estate - Tax - Traffic - Wills   Please click a topic or scroll down for more.

gradients

Junior Member
What is the name of your state? California

On new years eve, I purchased a 99 Mustang GT. The previous day, I had been to the dealership to inspect and test drive the car. My Dad was helping me look, and was also present on both days.

We *specifically* asked the salesmen "Has it been in any accidents?" and he promptly replied "No, we wouldn't sell it if it had been." The car looked great, and drove fine, so not thinking much of it, I purchased it.

Obviously, it was sold "as is" with no warranty. Today, however, I took the car to a paint shop to get an estimate on repairing a small patch of clearcoat that was peeling. I had previously noticed this on the car, and didn't think much of it. The person giving me the estimate commented on how odd it was that such a new car would be peeling in one spot, and asked if it had been in any accidents.. I told him the dealer had said "no." He asked if I *really* wanted to know if it had been in any accidents, so I told him of course I did, and proceeded to pop the hood and trunk to let him inspect it. He pointed out some bends and buckle points that were quite obvious to the trained eye. He told me the car had definitely been in an accident.

To make sure, I came home, and as I should have done in the first place ran a Carfax report. The car came back with a "minor" accident with a pedestrian. In a different state. The salesmen had also assured us this was a California car, and the only reason it had dealer plates, was because the previous owner had probably used vanity plates.

So I was lied to twice. Once about the car not being in any accidents, and the other about being a California car.

I'm pretty upset about this all. I thought I was getting a car that had never been in any accidents. Now I'm looking at a car that might have a slightly bent frame, and to anyone intelligent enough to look, a car that has obviously been in an accident.

Is there anything I can do? Get some money back from the dealership? Sue them for misrepresenting the car? I haven't contacted them yet. I'm waiting to see what my valid options are before I start yelling at anyone.

Thanks.
 


JETX

Senior Member
gradients said:
To make sure, I came home, and as I should have done in the first place ran a Carfax report.
Sounds like something you should, and was in fact OBLIGATED to, have done BEFORE you purchased the vehicle.

So I was lied to twice. Once about the car not being in any accidents, and the other about being a California car.
No problem. Simply take your WRITTEN confirmation of these statements to the dealer and get them to 'deal'.

Is there anything I can do?
Nope.

Get some money back from the dealership?
Nope.

Sue them for misrepresenting the car?
You would need proof of their statements. I would bet anything that the dealer would have a different 'version' of this sale.
 

wnagel

Member
I would like to also add that whenever you look and test drive a vehicle, write down the mileage. Many times a person will test drive a vehicle and then when he comes back to purchase the vehicle, he didn't know that the salemen all took turns burning rubber in the back lot with this car or all the mechanics took the car to lunch and it now had grease all over the inside. If the mileage doesn't match, you need to do another complete test drive and inspection. Car dealerships are not really to be trusted.
 

Find the Right Lawyer for Your Legal Issue!

Fast, Free, and Confidential
data-ad-format="auto">
Top