is it illegal for a car dealership to sell a car with bad brakes?

Answer 1

It is not illegal, immoral maybe, but not illegal. That is why they allow dealers to sell vehicles "as-is".

Answer 2

Having worked for car dealerships for 9 years, the answer is... yes and no. Most states have a minimum requirement for new and used car dealers that any car they sell will pass safety and emission tests. The dealer has the option to sell certain cars "as-is", and that is exactly what it means; no warranties expressed or implied.

In cases where I sold an as-is car, I usually had a Work Order from my shop indicating what they would do to the car to make it "front line" ready. Since usually my as-is cars were priced close to wholesale, I did not negotiate.

I did not sell junk, junk went to wholesalers. Any car I had was welcome to a mechanic inspection. The mechanic inspection however never changed the price of the car, just whether he though it was a decent car and whether he agreed with my shop's assessment of what would need to be done to make the car 100%.

Answer 3

In the state of Ca. ALL SAFETY features have to be in good working order, this includes brakes, lights, signals, mirrors, and wipers. They don't have to be new just in good working order and do what they are supposed to be. Like someone else said merchantibility.

I had a similar problem. I bought a car from a used car lot, found out the brake splitter valve(front to back lines) was bad. It had no front brakes plus drums were destroyed from brake pads(had to be replaced). I took it back made him fix them. After I got it back I checked the drums and brakes. They hadn't been fixed even tho he said he watched mechanic put different drums on. The drums he put on were just as bad as the ones he took off. I made him take it to reputable brake shop not have his mecahnic fix it. It cost him more for that brake job than what I paid for the car. Needless he was mad, and told me to never come back because he would NOT sell me another car again.

What a shame being told to NEVER come back at a car lot yet.

Answer 4

I bought a truck from a dealership and it has had several problems with the brakes..It is only 3 years old I live in georgia

Answer 5

Its not illegal in Massachusetts. If you do buy a car with bad brakes they have to fix them. In Mass. you must get a safety inspection within 7 days of purchase. You also have a minimum of 30 day or 1250 mile warranty.
If your state has a lemon law it may have the same provisions.
There is a federal warranty statement that must be posted on the car window of every used car.

Answer 6

In California a licensed dealer may not sell a car with less than 3MM on brake pads

Answer 7

Generally yes, at least to the general public. States with inspection programs generally require that vehicles have a fresh safety inspection when sold or be able to get one within a very short time after the sale. Even those without inspection requirements generally require vehicles sold by licensed dealers to be in safe, operable condition at the time of sale.

Then there's the implied warranty of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose to contend with.

Answer 8

no, unless they tell you the breaks are bad and you agree to buy it anyway. otherwise a car driven off the dealership lot MUST be road-worthy. not being able to stop is not road-worthy o.0

Answer 9

In most cases yes, unless the defect is disclosed in writing, and the car is sold for use other than transport, ie parts or to be repaired.

Answer 10

if it passed inspection before you bought it, than yes it is legal, didn't you test drive it? couldn't you tell it needed brakes?