Can I sue a dealership for selling me a bad car?
Christopher Snyder
Updated on May 23, 2026
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In this way, can I sue a car dealer for selling me a bad car?
You can sue a dealership for selling you a bad car if they did not properly disclose any known issues with the vehicle. Often times, the only way to get the dealer to repair the vehicle or arrange for the car to be returned for a full refund is by having an auto fraud attorney sue the dealership.
Furthermore, how do I file a complaint against a car dealership? If your complaint is about:
- Deceptive car ads or dealers — File a complaint with your state consumer protection agency and the Federal Trade Commission.
- Terms of your auto loan agreement or payments — File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
- Car warranty — Contact your state's attorney general.
Also question is, what happens if a dealer sells you a bad car?
It's illegal for a dealer to sell you a damaged vehicle without disclosing the car's condition, but some do. They may use illegal practices to conceal a vehicle's checkered past or omit the car's previous problems when talking it up to a customer. Or, they simply may not know the vehicle is not in good condition.
What happens if I buy a used car and it breaks down?
Yes, if your used car breaks down or needs costly repairs soon after you bought it from a dealer. *You cannot return a used car and cancel the sale simply because you have changed your mind. The law has no "cooling off" period after you buy a car. Once you sign the contract, the car is yours.
Related Question AnswersWhat is a lemon law for used cars?
The Used Car Lemon law provides a legal remedy for consumers who are buyers or lessees of used cars that turn out to be lemons. The law requires dealers to give consumers a written warranty. Under this warranty, dealers must repair, free of charge, any defect in covered parts.What do you do when a dealer rips you off?
I Feel I Got Ripped Off at The Auto Dealership, What Can I Do?- Check with the Manufacturer.
- Check into Consumer Laws in Your State.
- Ask the Attorney General.
- File a Complaint with an Agency.
- Talk to a Manager.
- Check into Lemon Laws.
- Contact an Attorney.
Can I sue for being sold a lemon?
Ronald Jay Eisenberg. It would not fall under the Lemon Law, but you could sue under the Merchandising Practices Act and seek punitive damages and attorney fees, as well as actual damages. You may wish to consult your lawyer or another lawyer instead of me.What does the lemon law apply to?
Lemon laws are American state laws that provide a remedy for purchasers of cars and other consumer goods in order to compensate for products that repeatedly fail to meet standards of quality and performance.How much my car is worth?
The result is a clear picture of what your car is worth, or how much you should pay. You may pay less for a car with an accident, or more for a car without one. Only CARFAX gives you the VIN-specific price for every used car based on its history.What rights do I have buying a used car?
The Act states the car must be “of a satisfactory quality”, “fit for purpose” and “as described”. (For a used car, “satisfactory quality” takes into account the car's age and mileage.) You have a right to reject something faulty and you are entitled to a full refund within 30 days of purchase in most cases.Is it illegal to trade in a car with problems?
actually, no your not LEGALLY required to disclose faults when trading a car. the car dealer will do their own mechanical inspection. So it's up to them to pick up on any issues.What warranty comes with a used car?
A used-car warranty typically lasts for three, six or 12 months, with older cars often supplied with shorter policies. Cars sold by franchised dealers are typically marketed under an 'approved used' scheme and are generally covered by a 12-month warranty.What to do if a dealer rips you off?
I Feel I Got Ripped Off at The Auto Dealership, What Can I Do?- Check with the Manufacturer.
- Check into Consumer Laws in Your State.
- Ask the Attorney General.
- File a Complaint with an Agency.
- Talk to a Manager.
- Check into Lemon Laws.
- Contact an Attorney.
Can I sue a dealership for lying?
Can I Sue A Dealership for Lying? Again, the answer is yes, you can sue car dealership when the true condition of the car that you purchased was not revealed to you during your transaction. Car buyers have the right to know the truth about the vehicle that they purchase.How do I file a complaint against a Toyota dealership?
Call the local dealership and ask to speak to the General Manager FIRST – do NOT call Toyota's national hotline right away. Instead, gradually escalate from the local dealership to the regional office to the national hotline. Certified mail is legal correspondence, so use it if all else fails*Can you sue a dealership?
Can I Sue A Dealership for Lying? Again, the answer is yes, you can sue car dealership when the true condition of the car that you purchased was not revealed to you during your transaction. Car buyers have the right to know the truth about the vehicle that they purchase.How long does a dealer have to provide title?
The dealer has 30 calendar days from the date of the sale to apply for a title and to furnish you with the proper documents to obtain a tag for the vehicle. In the meantime, the dealership must supply you with a dealer-issued temporary tag to allow you time to apply for your own tag.Can you sue a car dealership for misrepresentation?
It is because the car dealers often hide defects or lie about the defective condition of a car. So if the dealer did not reveal the true condition of the car that you purchased during your transaction you can sue a car dealership for fraudulent misrepresentation.Where do I complain about a rental car company?
You may file a complaint against a car rental company with the Attorney General's Office online at or by phone at 1-866-9-NO-SCAM. Additionally, you may file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission online using their complaint assistant portal at complaint.What do you do when a car dealership lies to you?
If you suspect you have been lied to about your used car, it is best to:- Review your purchase contact: Read the contract carefully.
- Contact the dealer: The used car dealer may not have intentionally lied.
- Get Legal Advice: Seek the opinion of a legal professional immediately.