Legal Question in Consumer Law in Virginia

Buyer wants money back from car sale.

My husband and I sold a car today. We told the 2 guys that bought it about the work that had been done on it (new alternator, brakes, starter, fuel pump) and also told them about work they may need to do (change spark plug wires, check power steering hose). My husband also told them it hadn't been run in a while so to put fresh gas in it. Well, they drove it around the block, came back, I signed the title, gave it to them and they gave us $700.00. A little while later they came back to pick up the car (they had to get tags, which they pulled from another vehicle they have). Anyway an hour or so after they left, they came back saying they didn't want the car and they wanted their money back. My husband told them they had to come back tomorrow (Monday) because I had deposited the money. They left walking and left the car but they still have the title. Some of the money is actually gone as my husband immediatly sent me out to my Pastors house with 10% to give to my church. What do we do? I think of it as an ''as is'' sale. They knew they weren't getting a new car. It's an '85 Chevy Cavalier for pete's sake.


Asked on 12/01/02, 10:41 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Buyer wants money back from car sale.

As long as there was no fraud or misrepresentation on your part as seller, you are not obligated to take the car back and return the buyer's money.

However, as a practical matter, particularly in view of the fact that the buyer, apparently, has retained the title to the vehicle, you may wish to negotiate some time of settlement with the buyer, such as the return of 90 per cent of the purchase price in exchange for your taking the vehicle back.

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Answered on 12/01/02, 11:06 pm


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