Laws on used car sales - TriStateTuners.com :: Home of Tristate Auto Enthusiast

awdlaserbeam · 02-27-2006, 06:26 PM

Recently a friend of mind bought a car off of somewhere that was in an accident. The seller said all the car needed to be replaced was a control arm, headlight, and fender, and that he did not have time to fix the car so that is why he was selling it.
The sale went through last week but before he bought it the selller actuallly took the time that he said he didnt have to fix the car and made it driveable so he could get home. My friend got home, and his neighbor runs a body shop came over and looked at the car and told him that the car was totaled because the frame was bent.
I understand car sales are final and bought as is, and that once you give them the money whatever is wrong with it is on you.

However, my question is.... I heard that if you sell a car with a bent frame and do not disclose that information with the buyer that you are required by law to give the buyer his money back. Have you ever heard this? Also if not, i was wondering if you could cite a law regaurding this issue or if you could send me a link to a website or point me in the direction to do some further research.

Thank you

alachua · 03-03-2006, 02:21 AM

You don't list what state you are in, but you can start by contacing your Attorney Genearl's office.

Though I am not positive, it is usually on the buyer to make sure anything he is purchasing is either inspected by a professional prior to purchase, or that he is certain it is in good condition. The seller may not have known the extent of the damage. Has he attempted to get a written estimate stating that the vehicle is beond repair, and confronted the seller about it?

-Cliff

awdlaserbeam · 03-03-2006, 02:59 AM

The buyer was from PA... but he went to NJ to purchase the car. Yea i always sold cars as is and that was final, but then i heard this thing about when there is frame damage you have to tell them for saftey purposes.

Yes he has confronted the seller, he claims to have no knowledge of this. He claims that he bought this car off of another person who crashed it, they took it to a body shop who told them it neeed control arm and head light and fender. She sold the car to this fellow who was going to fix it, but then said he didnt have time to. When my buddy said he would buy it, he fixed teh control arm to make it driveable so he could get home with it. He claims that he bought the car and it just sat.

I dont know if any of that helps.
As for the attorney general, i was looking on the PA state website the other day as for who to call. I was looking along the lines of the governer but i dont think he would be the person.

Thanks for the info

awdlaserbeam · 06-26-2006, 07:14 PM

This incident is done and over with but i was still wondering if there was a law pertaning to anything similar to this situation.

02-27-2006, 06:26 PM	#1
awdlaserbeam Tri-State Aficionado Join Date: Dec 2005 Member #1126 iTrader: (0)	Laws on used car sales Recently a friend of mind bought a car off of somewhere that was in an accident. The seller said all the car needed to be replaced was a control arm, headlight, and fender, and that he did not have time to fix the car so that is why he was selling it. The sale went through last week but before he bought it the selller actuallly took the time that he said he didnt have to fix the car and made it driveable so he could get home. My friend got home, and his neighbor runs a body shop came over and looked at the car and told him that the car was totaled because the frame was bent. I understand car sales are final and bought as is, and that once you give them the money whatever is wrong with it is on you. However, my question is.... I heard that if you sell a car with a bent frame and do not disclose that information with the buyer that you are required by law to give the buyer his money back. Have you ever heard this? Also if not, i was wondering if you could cite a law regaurding this issue or if you could send me a link to a website or point me in the direction to do some further research. Thank you

03-03-2006, 02:21 AM	#2
alachua Tri-State Addict Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Conshohocken, PA Member #4 My Ride: 14 Miata Club iTrader: (3)	You don't list what state you are in, but you can start by contacing your Attorney Genearl's office. Though I am not positive, it is usually on the buyer to make sure anything he is purchasing is either inspected by a professional prior to purchase, or that he is certain it is in good condition. The seller may not have known the extent of the damage. Has he attempted to get a written estimate stating that the vehicle is beond repair, and confronted the seller about it? -Cliff __________________ "Cliff, I find going fast neither exciting, nor enjoyable, please stop. No, I don't want to do smokey burnouts or donuts!" - My Mom on her first ride in the miata

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03-03-2006, 02:59 AM	#3
awdlaserbeam Tri-State Aficionado Join Date: Dec 2005 Member #1126 iTrader: (0)	The buyer was from PA... but he went to NJ to purchase the car. Yea i always sold cars as is and that was final, but then i heard this thing about when there is frame damage you have to tell them for saftey purposes. Yes he has confronted the seller, he claims to have no knowledge of this. He claims that he bought this car off of another person who crashed it, they took it to a body shop who told them it neeed control arm and head light and fender. She sold the car to this fellow who was going to fix it, but then said he didnt have time to. When my buddy said he would buy it, he fixed teh control arm to make it driveable so he could get home with it. He claims that he bought the car and it just sat. I dont know if any of that helps. As for the attorney general, i was looking on the PA state website the other day as for who to call. I was looking along the lines of the governer but i dont think he would be the person. Thanks for the info

06-26-2006, 07:14 PM	#4
awdlaserbeam Tri-State Aficionado Join Date: Dec 2005 Member #1126 iTrader: (0)	This incident is done and over with but i was still wondering if there was a law pertaning to anything similar to this situation.