Anyone know what I can do about being sold a car that breaks down within a year?

Question

I bought a car this past October it's a used car. I've had trouble with it since I bought it and when I took it to the dealership to get fixed he barely did anything and the last time I took it he said he wouldn't look at it cause he didn't hear the noise I was telling him about. Now my car is not working and got towed to another shop they told me my engine may be shot and that it's been like that for a long time. I called the dealership about this and they won't return my calls. Anyone have any ideas what I can do?

There was a warranty and I took the car in repeatedly within the time of the warranty but they did not fix it. I had a 6mo. or 6000 mile warranty and the 6mo just ended. I can't prove they knew what was wrong but I know they did nothing to find out what exactly was wrong with it. The shop I have it at now hooked it up to a diagnostic machine. The other shop told me there was no such thing.

My state only covers new cars under the lemon law. And giving it away to charity will not help me I still owe money on the car and I can't afford to let it go.

Answer 1

most used cars are sold as is, or they only have a 30 day warranty. if you purchased a car with no warranty there is nothing you can do but take it to a repair shop.

Answer 2

You don't give any information, but here goes.....

Unless the car was sold with a warranty, or if the warranty's expired, there might be nothing else you can do. Chrysler provides 7yr/70k miles powertrain warranty when new. If the car is new enough that a factory warranty MIGHT still be applicable that might cover you, IF it is a transferrable warranty (most aren't). Did they offer you a warranty when you bought the car? If they didn't offer it to you, you might have some legal grounds for a claim. You would have had to sign something saying you refused warranty coverage if it was offered to you. Does your state have a "Lemon Law"?

Start researching and get all your paperwork together. Find a local consumer protection attorney and talk to them. Your state's (IF you're in the USA) Attorney General's office might be a good place to start looking. They should have lots of pertinent info available on line.

Good luck!

Answer 3

unless you have a warranty in writing from the car lot your probably out of luck. sorry but usually it is sold as is. the only recourse you could have, would be if it had a warranty when you bought it and you noticed a problem then and it wasn't fixed properly. if that's the case I'd be persistent with the dealership. keep calling and also stop in there repeatedly. try to catch the salesman when he's trying to sell a car a few times. good luck

Answer 4

I agree with the other person, if you dont have a warranty there is nothing you can do. Unless you can prove the dealer absolutely knew there was a problem and didnt disclose it, then you might have a case.

You might be able to sue them, or call your local radio or TV shows that might take on the case and put it on TV. I really doubt they did anything wrong. Im sure they offered to sell you an extended warranty when you bought it. Maybe you should have took it.

Sorry to give you bad news.

Answer 5

If the time period 'as is' is obviously imprinted on the invoice of sale that HE signed then you're fully off the hook. He will also drag you into courtroom to peer Judge Judy however it is a signed agreement and there is no breaking it.

Answer 6

Your out of luck, give it a way to charity let the kids fix it and get a tax cut.

Answer 7

Nothing you can do a used car is buyer beware, unfortunately that is just how it is, would get a second opinion on the problem though, not all mechanics can be trusted.

Answer 8

yes what kind of car and who did u buy it from,, u may have a small claim

Answer 9

If you think you have a case, contact your states B.A.R. and have them investigate it.
(Bureau of Automotive Repairs)