Legal Question in Consumer Law in California

Returning a used car

I bought my first car at a dealer on September last year and when i signed the contract i was told it was in good conditions and it was never in an accident. They salesman told me that to be a used car it was in great conditions...so me not having any experience of buying a car from a dealler...i signed and drove off!! Now 9months later when i try to traid in my car for a better one i find out tht it was crashed and that some of the parts in the engine are from other used vehicles and that it also it had a paint job done on the front dew to the accident. My question is...should i go back to the dealer and explain to them the situation or just take legal action??


Asked on 6/02/08, 12:29 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
Daniel Harrison Berger Harrison, APC

Re: Returning a used car

We will be happy to review your paperwork for free. We have handled many cases of "failure to disclose" concerning the sale of vehicles by dealers. Your case seems, so far, to fall within that area. Depending on the facts, you may have a good claim.

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Answered on 6/02/08, 10:39 pm
Michael Stone Law Offices of Michael B. Stone Toll Free 1-855-USE-MIKE

Re: Returning a used car

Nearly everyone gets ripped off when they buy their first car. What did you learn from this? 1. Used cars are sold "as is." 2. Check the car's title history with Carfax. 3. Have an independent mechanic (not someone next door to the used car dealership) check out the car first. 4. What they told you or said to you means nothing, only what's written in the Friendly Contract counts - READ THE FRIENDLY CONTRACT!!!!

We LawGuru attorneys get this question a LOT. This is a mistake most people only make once, when they are 18. Make the same mistake again, and what would that say about you? Next time at least Google [how to buy a used car], or bring someone knowledgeable along with you.

You have nothing to lose by going to small claims court, get a Carfax report on the car first and bring it to court with you. Your first time in small claims court will be a learning experience as well. Read the Nolo Press book on small claims court, it's in your local library or the law library at the courthouse.

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Answered on 6/02/08, 12:57 am


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