NBR: Used car

punkn

A friend of DH's brother bought a used car a week ago, couple days later exhaust went out and needs to be replaced. Are there any laws that state the dealer needs to cover this repair?

punkfiction

depends on the warranty left on the car when he bought it. most places have a 3 month time though where you can bring anything back to get fixed

punkn

He states the problem is with the exhaust which I guess is not covered by the warranty. I just would think that there had to have been a problem with it before he bought it, too strange that 2 days after he brought it home he finds out the whole exhaust needs to be replaced.

punkfiction

threaten them. simple as that. tell him to go up there and say 'you sold me a lemon. fix it or i take it to the news that you duped me'

 

lol you dont have to be that dramatic, but they need to know he is pissed and that the only answer is that they fix it.

Jenny0908

Check your states lemon laws... I believe in Massachusetts you have 7 days to return the car if it cannot pass inspection. 

punkn

I guess there is a state law that they need to disclose problems with the vehicle before selling it but I'd imagine a battle to prove it was a pre exsisting problem. They could report to the BBB but I guess other people have already and nothing has changed. Maybe reporting to the state will help ... or I do like the idea of calling the local news station, they always like to do undercover work.

GracieWK

It depends on the warranty. Did he pay cash for it or finance?

I recommend to ANYONE buying a used car to have it checked out BEFORE you buy it. My shop does "check-to-buys" for free. I'm sure a lot of places do them for free or at a low cost. That way you know if you're getting a good or bad deal.

GracieWK

punkn:

I guess there is a state law that they need to disclose problems with the vehicle before selling it but I'd imagine a battle to prove it was a pre exsisting problem. They could report to the BBB but I guess other people have already and nothing has changed. Maybe reporting to the state will help ... or I do like the idea of calling the local news station, they always like to do undercover work.

A good repair facility can look at a car and can tell if it was pre-existing. Have him take it in ASAP! Get it in writing stating that this problem is not 2 days old.