I bought a used car from a supposedly reputable dealership, but when they sold it to me, they told me it was a '98, and all their paperwork supported that. However, when I registered it on my own and procured insurance, I found that- according to the vin number- the car is actually a '97. In addition, it has been having a lot of problems, and the most recent problem involves the fuel pump. When the mechanics ordered the pump, it didn't connect to anything else in the area, indicating that the engine in the car is not the engine it is supposed to be. What can I do if they've sold me a car and lied about the year? What about the fact that the engine was rebuilt/overhauled, and they didn't disclose the differences in the engine- selling it to me as the engine that is supposed to be in that make and model and year (even if it is an incorrect year)? Thoughts?
2007-03-12 05:53:50 · 6 answers · asked by mina_lumina 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
to the gubmint: there are no numbers corresponding to the vin in the engine anywhere, and the mechanics working on the car said the part was dramatically different- could not be connected at all. As for the vin and model year- the vin says it is a '97... so does the sticker inside the door indicating the model year. It is a '97. do I have a case now?
2007-03-12 06:17:20 · update #1
since they represented to you that the car was a different one that what you actually purchased and you based your decision to buy the car on the fact that it was a 1998, not a 1997 - they may have committed a fraud. return the car and ask for your money back.
2007-03-12 05:59:41 · answer #1 · answered by Rachel M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Model years don't have to actually be the calendar year cars are made. Model years usually start in the fall of the previous year. The VIN indicates when the car was manufactured, not the model year, so you probably have no standing on that one.
The engine should also have numbers that correlate to the VIN. If they don't match, then you might have a case. You can't make an assumption that it's a different engine because some mechanic couldn't figure out how to put in a fuel pump.
2007-03-12 06:10:56 · answer #2 · answered by thegubmint 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not positive about what you should do in this situation. However, you could look into the "Lemon Law." It applies to recently purchased vehicles (I think bought less than a year before the problems began) that have been experiencing severe problems. So, if you buy a car today and 10 months from now the engine goes bad, it could be covered and you could force the dealer to either fix the car for free or get you another car. It is worth looking into as soon as possible. Otherwise, I would talk with a lawyer (though you may have to do that either way). There is also the possibility of getting them on false advertisement as they did not disclose the truth to you. Good luck!
2007-03-12 06:01:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would call the better bussiness beauro, and consult a lawer. I know that when I bought my car I had everything ready but someone misplaced the sticker that they put on the car windwow. That little mistake prohibited them from selling me the car. They ended up giving me another ar. Same car same evrything but a different color because they could not find the sticker. Now, if that was just a sticker then imagine how bad your situation is. They took you for a fool and lied. Don't be afraid to return the favor.
2007-03-12 06:00:36 · answer #4 · answered by mr_gees100_peas 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say that you have a case. At least for a partial reimbursment. Contact a lawyer if the dealer is unwilling to settle this.
2007-03-12 05:58:09 · answer #5 · answered by bildymooner 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would get a lawyer
2007-03-12 06:04:15 · answer #6 · answered by fazekasamy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋