Vandalism or small claims for my mother in laws ruined car?

Question

in march we sold,or were selling a car for my mother in law. it didn't run, the guy knew that. he has only paid 20 bucks so far. we have been pretty lenient with the guy and all of a sudden he doesn't want it cause SURPRISE! it doesn't run, and SURPRISE, he isn't a mechanic. he said he would have a friend help at the time of looking at it, he hasn't given back the keys. it's still in my mother in laws name. we went to look at the car and the inside is basically destroyed cause he was trying to install speakers and a stereo and of course didn't know how, now there's no stereo. he's said the car has been broken into, there are new dents in it and so forth. is there any way that we can call the cops on him for vandalism and possible theft? or should we just do small claims for non payment or could we do both? cause this wasn't even our car, and now we can't even sell it cause it's destroyed.

Answer 1

You can not have him charged, as you entered an agreement to sell the car to him. That makes it a civil matter.

That leaves small claims court. However, because it did not run, I think it is more trouble than it is worth.

Answer 2

Only do the small claims.  You can include the vandalism in the small claims case as well.  :)

Answer 3

If it wasn't your car, you can't do a civil suit. Only the registered owner can. ? How did U sell it otherwise?

If it's still in the m in laws name, all SHE has to do is have l enforcement help recover it. Most of the time they don't like to get involved in civil disputes, but if he doesn't have a bill of sale, or hasn't registered it w/in the time allotted by law, they have no choice but to side w/ her.

Good luck.

Need more info really.

State, etc.

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Answer 4

how could you sell a car that isnt even yours? you should be ashamed of yourselves, I am going to tell your mom.