Legal Question in Consumer Law in New Jersey

I purchased a 1994 ford escort for 2895.00. I took my car to a state inspection auto repair garage for $35.00 because I got off from work to late to take my car to a inspection station. I told the mechanic that my car suddenly did not feel safe and the dealer kept saying the car was fine. I asked him to look over the car because the dealer said that he would fix whatever needs to be fixed or refund me if he can't and my car fails inspection. The mechanic said my car was fine and slapped on the inspection sticker. A month later I found out from a repair shop that did my oil change that my car was a hazard and was issued a drive at my own risk. My frame has rusted away and will break apart anytime causing my wheels and steering to lose control and it cannot be fixed. I'm a single hard working Mom who was sold a car in this condition. Now I'm without a car and $289500. Can I sue the Repair shop for approving the inspection and causing me to lose my exchange or refund?


Asked on 5/26/10, 8:32 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

People who change oil may not know their a__ from a hole in the ground. Get it inspected by some place that is willing to put their findings in writing. I'd suspect any relief you may have would be with the seller, not the inspection station. Vehicle inspection stations only inspect certain things, to see if the vehicle passes those tests - period. No garage will do a "should I buy this" vehicle inspection for $35, when they are only being paid to tell you if it passed the NJ MV inspection requirements. I'm also a Mechanical Engineer, and a "motor head". Some rust does not mean your vehicle is about to fall apart. What the hell does, "a hazard" actually mean, and WHO "issued a drive at my own risk" notice anyway!?!?!? It could be the opinion of an 18 y.o. moron... or a 50 y.o. moron for that matter. What qualifications did the guy making that determination have? Was it in writing? If it wasn't, the statement was worth nothing. If it was, it was worth a little more than nothing, until corroborated. I suspect very little. THINK, THINK, THINK!!!! RESEARCH before you panic, NEVER take one person's opinion for something like this, unless you have experience with them, and they have proven themselves reliable first! There is a 98-99% chance, the "warning" you received is caca.

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Answered on 5/27/10, 5:30 am
Robert Davies The Davies Law Firm, P.A.

Step One: get a written opinion from a reliable mechanic (dealership even better) as to what is up with your car.

Step Two: contact an attorney who does this work. I do not.

Call Glenn Chulsky, Esq., he is pretty good! even if he is not really close, he does this work.

Attorney Glenn Chulsky

410 Route 10 West

Ledgewood, NJ 07852

(973) 252-9000

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Answered on 5/27/10, 7:27 am


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