Is There Anything We Can Do About Purchasing a Vehicle That "Started" Having Problems The Next Day?

Question

Hi there ~ thought I'd ask this in the legal section, hoping a lawyer out there might read it ~

Bought a vehicle Saturday. Sunday morning it was VERY evident that the transmission has major trouble. Do we not have any recourse since it's from a private owner?

We called and left a voicemail to him Sunday morning and an email Sunday evening, but still have not heard from him.

Any thoughts or advice or are we stuck with a non-operable vehicle?

Answer 1

If it was sold "as is" then you are stuck, otherwise you might have a option with  in lemon law.

Answer 2

There is the 72 hr law in some states. If you bought the vehicle from a dealership, you just return it.

Now, if you bought it from an individual and gave them cash, the only thing you can do is bring them to small claims court.

The other alternative is to recognize that the transmission is only one part. Bring the car to a small time machanic. Believe it or not these guys use good working knowledge to fix cars not a plug-in computer. The problem may turn out to be a $5.00 repair or $30 - $40 with labor.

I wouldn't write the car off until you're sure there is no other solution.

Answer 3

Really, not much. You could try talking to a lawyer and see if you have a case against the seller, but unless you can prove that he/she tried to deceive you, it probably won't get very far. Purchasing from a private party has no implied warranty, and you get the car "as is". This is why it is very important to take the vehicle to a mechanic to have it checked out BEFORE you buy it. And if the seller refuses to let you do that, it is a good indication he/she is trying to hide something.

Answer 4

If you gave them cash you are probably stuck. If you wrote a check go to the bank and put a stop payment on it. I doubt they took your credit card so the only other alternative is to go to small claims court if the sum was within their jurisdictional limit.

If they sold it to you knowing the defects and failed to disclose them then its a fraudulent sale.