What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California
I purchased a vehicle a week ago for $200. I understood when I was going out to purchase a vehicle at that price that it was sure to have high miles and probably some mechanical/cosmetic issues. I was alright with that and welcomed the opportunity to take something inexpensive and make it nice and my own and re-sell it later. The ad says the vehicle is in excellent condition with new tires and interior $800. Long story short...the ad did not mention it and when I asked the seller about the vehicle history I was told that it had no major problems or incidents and that he performed preventative maintenance and he used it to commute (And that he owned it for 4 years). I chose to buy the vehicle and used this form: Car Bill of Sale Example for my bill of sale. I did not know that in California there is a space on the title that lists vehicle condition (hopefully it is blank, but...I later discovered this box (I had not noticed it before until my roommate pointed it out) that it looked like somebody used something to rub off the designation. Curious as to what it was, I used Carfax. SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED. I don't know anything about what CERTIFICATE was issued (???) Now, had the seller (Private Party) disclosed that in the ad or in writing (Signed by both of us) this would be a whole different story. But, I did not know until afterwards because the title looked clean and correct (It was even difficult to notice the alteration under "vehicle condition" even after I discovered it had been removed). I wanted an around town vehicle that I could fix and sell later, but that now has changed after discovering the SALVAGE designation.
Due to him not disclosing in the ad or in writing that the vehicle was a salvage vehicle what if anything can I do? The seller never gave me anything or had me sign something acknowledging the SALVAGE status. Even after directly asking him. I thought that if the vehicle was salvaged that he needed to add that to the Bill of Sale. The seller also did not SMOG the vehicle so I had to cover that cost as the seller did not wish to work with me.
The bill of sale is for $200 and the original sale price in the ad was $800. I had planned to get the vehicle completely fixed up and I have in fact fixed the engine and the car is running good.
After finding out from my roommate about the suspicious title I had to use carfax to find-out what was going on ($29.99 paid). Very worried at this point, I also sent the vehicle for a diagnosis ($124.95 plus tax paid).
I am not upset about the wear and tear issues or any damage, but I am upset that I was not fully disclosed as to the SALVAGE status and that I cannot get a decent resale amount later after I fixed it. I was lied to and the ad said Excellent Condition. A SALVAGE vehicle does not fit Excellent Condition...it was salvaged, that is not excellent no matter how much it was fixed.
Do I have any recourse against this individual. I know he completely misrepresented this vehicle and I'm upset.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
I purchased a vehicle a week ago for $200. I understood when I was going out to purchase a vehicle at that price that it was sure to have high miles and probably some mechanical/cosmetic issues. I was alright with that and welcomed the opportunity to take something inexpensive and make it nice and my own and re-sell it later. The ad says the vehicle is in excellent condition with new tires and interior $800. Long story short...the ad did not mention it and when I asked the seller about the vehicle history I was told that it had no major problems or incidents and that he performed preventative maintenance and he used it to commute (And that he owned it for 4 years). I chose to buy the vehicle and used this form: Car Bill of Sale Example for my bill of sale. I did not know that in California there is a space on the title that lists vehicle condition (hopefully it is blank, but...I later discovered this box (I had not noticed it before until my roommate pointed it out) that it looked like somebody used something to rub off the designation. Curious as to what it was, I used Carfax. SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED. I don't know anything about what CERTIFICATE was issued (???) Now, had the seller (Private Party) disclosed that in the ad or in writing (Signed by both of us) this would be a whole different story. But, I did not know until afterwards because the title looked clean and correct (It was even difficult to notice the alteration under "vehicle condition" even after I discovered it had been removed). I wanted an around town vehicle that I could fix and sell later, but that now has changed after discovering the SALVAGE designation.
Due to him not disclosing in the ad or in writing that the vehicle was a salvage vehicle what if anything can I do? The seller never gave me anything or had me sign something acknowledging the SALVAGE status. Even after directly asking him. I thought that if the vehicle was salvaged that he needed to add that to the Bill of Sale. The seller also did not SMOG the vehicle so I had to cover that cost as the seller did not wish to work with me.
The bill of sale is for $200 and the original sale price in the ad was $800. I had planned to get the vehicle completely fixed up and I have in fact fixed the engine and the car is running good.
After finding out from my roommate about the suspicious title I had to use carfax to find-out what was going on ($29.99 paid). Very worried at this point, I also sent the vehicle for a diagnosis ($124.95 plus tax paid).
I am not upset about the wear and tear issues or any damage, but I am upset that I was not fully disclosed as to the SALVAGE status and that I cannot get a decent resale amount later after I fixed it. I was lied to and the ad said Excellent Condition. A SALVAGE vehicle does not fit Excellent Condition...it was salvaged, that is not excellent no matter how much it was fixed.
Do I have any recourse against this individual. I know he completely misrepresented this vehicle and I'm upset.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
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