the check engine light came on about a week after i bought it and i returned to get more history on the vehical, the owner showed me the work she had done on the car and stated when buying used cars sometime the engine light stays on because of age.
2007-04-12 10:47:18 · 30 answers · asked by andrella j 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
NO
If it was sold "as is" then you have legally absolved them of responsibility for any faults
2007-04-12 10:49:42 · answer #1 · answered by Weatherman 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
I think it depends in the state where you live. I think some states go back 5 or 10 years. If it is older than that you are probably out of luck. Did you buy the car from a dealer or an individual. If you bought it from an individual you are out of luck. Your added comments are a little confusing. The engine light means something needs attention. A lot of cars it will go off after it has been started a few times. It still needs attention. The only reason the engine light stays on is it has a problem. The lady you talk to is mistaken, age has nothing to do with the engine light.
2007-04-12 11:01:54 · answer #2 · answered by READER 1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did you buy the car from an individual or a used-car dealer? Depending upon the State you live in, there may be a "Lemon Law," which requires a warranty that used car sellers must meet. In New Mexico and Arizona (for example - I just happen to know about these two) - used car sellers must give a 15-day, 500-mile (whichever comes first) "warranty of implied merchantability." This requires that sellers must, in essence, fix anything that makes the car not fit for its ordinary purpose (like driving down the road) during that time. Usually if a check engine light comes on, that means something is wrong. You could probably find out for sure about if your State has such a law by calling the Attorney General for your state and asking for the consumer protection division. They should be able to answer your questions.
However, it sounds like you bought the car from an individual. If that is the case, you likely are stuck with the car and you have no recourse. "Buyer beware" will likely control.
2007-04-12 10:53:01 · answer #3 · answered by Charlie L 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A check engine light can sometimes be a bad sending unit (pretty easy & cheap to check and replace)and sometimes just changing the oil & filter will cure it. As Is means just that.. As is! Lemon Laws don't apply to individual sellers. An engine light that comes on when the engine is idling but goes off when you rev the engine generally means the bearings in the top of the engine are wearing thin. If that's the case try adding some oil additive that increases the oil's viscosity rating... like STP or Motor Honey. It thickens the oil and helps the engine last longer. If it's staying on all the time you better get it to a mechanic quick or the lights gonna stay on every time you turn on the key.... but the engine will be dead beyond repair!
2007-04-12 10:56:58 · answer #4 · answered by John R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did the dealer state that the car was in good condition? Did they state that the car has no known mechanical problems?
The key here is, did they misrepresent the vehicle?
Did they disclose the problem the car was having?
Did the owner tell you that this was a pre existing condition of the car? If so then the dealer made no effort to disclose the defect and you may have a good case in court.
As is implies you are buying the vehicle with a reasonable expectation that the dealer will describe the vehicle's condition.
You are protected by state law...
Do yourself a favor...take the car to a good master mechanic
and have the issue diagnosed....it may be an oxygen sensor or an EGR valve...easy to fix and not too pricey.
Review the work done to the car and shoot me an email....let me know what they have done so far.
2007-04-12 10:54:04 · answer #5 · answered by tito_swave 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Okay, for one thing:
When you buy a car in "as is" condition, it is your responsibility to have the car checked out. Listing the car in "as is" condition will usually absolve the seller of any legal liability.
As for the Check Engine light:
I am so well versed in this, it truly sucks.
The check engine light could be coming on for a number of reasons. The age of the car is not the reason in and of itself. Yes, the age of the car can contribute to the reason why the light came on, but the light doesn't come on because your car is old.
You need to take the car in and have a diagnostic run to see what is causing it to come on. It could be caused by a number of things: gas cap, catalytic converter, spark plugs, a gasket...
Also, depending on where you live, it can potentially give you big problems.
In CA (where I live), if your check engine light doesn't come on at all, or doesn't go off, it is an automatic fail when you take your car in to be smogged (which means you can't register your car).
2007-04-12 11:01:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you can't sue. Here's why: First, as is means exactly that, whatever condition you buy it in problems and all. Secondly, the dealer who sold you the car is going to say the car was fine when you bought it, so whatever happened must be because of you.
Lot's of states have lemon laws, but wheter or not they apply to a used car may vary from state to state, you could contact your state attorney general and see what they say.
2007-04-12 11:19:26 · answer #7 · answered by evil_paul 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"As is" meaning you own it all. Check engine, blown trannys, no power, prior wrecks. If you aren't a car person don't buy as-is or no warranty. If you don't have much dough you're far better off buying private seller. Shop around a lot. Private sellers often bought an upgraded vehicle and are trying to sell the old car. I hate dealers and especially 'used car' dealers. Until you get in the $7,000+ range it's all dicey.
2007-04-12 10:54:24 · answer #8 · answered by zp055att 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Most times the "check engine" light comes on its the emissions . And in your case the sensor underneath the car may be blocked . Take your car through the car wash and have the underbody washed . See if that helps
2007-04-12 10:53:32 · answer #9 · answered by prole1984 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If your state has a lemon law, you may be protected.
For example... sometimes if the mileage is over a certain amount, say 100,000, there are no guarantees, if under that amount, you can be protected...
Otherwise, as is may mean as is, even if you bought it from a dealer.
Btw, that engine light is NOT on because of age. See a mechanic.
2007-04-12 10:51:19 · answer #10 · answered by shoestring_louise 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
"As is" means just what it says. As the the check engine light? Usally it's a Emissons system problem. First have the DTC' codes scaned to see what the problem is. Many times the fix is a sensor or a bad fuel/air mixture. Age has nothing to do with it.
2007-04-12 10:58:05 · answer #11 · answered by lana_sands 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋