dealer in violation WA state

[seattle71]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state?State: WA

I purchased a used car here in Seattle area. Few weeks later it was discovered after a accident that the car was missing a critical part of the front bumper assemebly. That part is the reinforcement bar. It is essential to the cars safety. The accident I was involved was a low speed collision (5-10mph) that caused over $4000 in damages because this bar was missing.

I contacted dealership and they weren't coopartive being I purchased car "as is" (please dont get snipey I understand what as is means) they said file a complaint with Attor Gen Ofc. Which I did. They couldnt handle case and fowarded it to the DOL. I then filed a complaint with them. I needed to establish that the part was missing and how critical it is to the safety of car. I took the car to a automotive damage investigator who noted the reinforcement bar had been missing for some time. With the bar missing my airbags would never deploy. That the car was in a previous unrealated accident which should of made the dealer look further at the car and its structure. ( I did a carfax and it came back clean and dealer said no accidents) The car is unsafe now and was at the time i purchased the car. The damagees from the accident would have been little or none if that bar had been on the car like its suppose to be.

The DOL sent me a letter back saying the dealer is in violation for selling me a car that didn't meet the standards of construction and safety. A record of this violation will be put in the dealers records with a notice of correction. The DOLl said we should try and come to some sort of resolution outside any court action. If not another form of action I can take is to put a claim in against there bond which the DOL provided me all the info with.

I called the dealership today and asked to speak to the manager. No one was in and salesperson said they would have someone get back to me. Now questions I have is how long should I wait until the dealership gets back to me?? I don't understand what a bond is and how I would seek damages that route?? I want to settle this matter out of court at all costs.

Any advise??? (no sarcastic comments needed!!!!)

 

[tabathadolley]

I called the dealership today and asked to speak to the manager. No one was in and salesperson said they would have someone get back to me. Now questions I have is how long should I wait until the dealership gets back to me?? I don't understand what a bond is and how I would seek damages that route?? I want to settle this matter out of court at all costs.

Having worked at a dealership, don't expect to get anywhere on the phone. There is always a manager on duty, and if you were told otherwise it means they are avoiding speaking to you. I could be wrong, but I doubt it.

 

[seattle71]

Re:

No, sounds about right that they are avoiding me. I can try and call then again today and if no response I will put a letter out to them certified. Should I take car to the dealership with all my paperwork and see if we can come to a resolution that way???

 

[wnagel]

I find it difficult to believe that any dealership would have noticed this bar missing, especially if there was a clean CarFAX. Dealerships don't go looking for extra work and state inspections do not include this reinforcing bar, so why would they have noticed it?

Since your inspector stated that this has been this was for a period of time, it's likely the dealership will just take the position that it arrived this way, and there was no reason to check the reinforcing bar, especially with a clean CarFAX.

I realize that you are out a considerable amount of money, but even if you had a mechanic check the vehicle and ran a CarFAX, it's unlikely that either would have found this 'hidden damage'. You can keep trying, but most dealerships are stingy and it is normally a cold day in hell before they give a refund.

 

[Who's Liable?]

A clean CarFAX report is not 100% accurate... You cannot go by a carFAX report because all the information it the report is volunteered. Meaning that all the information is volunteered to them by insurance companies and the DMV's, and if that information is not on there, do not be surprised...

 

[wnagel]

You are correct. A CarFAX is only about 80% accurate at best. Many body shops and dealerships do not post to CarFAX and consequently damage will not be noticed. This is why when purchasing a vehicle you cannot totally rely on CarFAX, but if used with a good mechanical inspection, then you are doing about the best you can. Some cities have a AAA diagnostic center, which for about $175, will inspect almost every item on your car. It's very thorough but sometimes not cost effective depending on the cost of the vehicle.