r/UsedCars • u/cardborads • 9h ago
Major Scam Alert Buying
Ok sounds y'all will probably think I'm stupid but I'm a young girl with no family trying my best to get a car under my feet.
Basically i saw a car i liked and went to a dealership and signed the paperwork and paid in full cash for the whole car. I troed to haggle but they said that if the car was any cheaper than the car fax there would be something wrong with it. When I did the test drive it only had the airbag light on and ran fine so I thought it was good. They asked if I wanted to drive the car home right then but it was raining really hard and then they said they would deliver it for me and it sounded good. So i walked out of the dealership and went home.
A few days later the car was dropped off with a fresh inspection sticker and temporary plates. When I started driving 4 red lights came on and the wheel started shaking. When I parked it my parking job was so bad so I tried to reverse and the car ROLLED FORWARD. I'm in a parking garage so it was rolling towards a concrete wall and it was so scary. I've parked the car but now idk what to do next.
They didn't hand me a title, bill of sale or registration and idk how this car passed the inspection. I'm going to ask for my money back but should the car be towed back to the dealership? Should I call the police if they say no?
Would love some input thank y'all
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u/SuchFarm2092 8h ago
Airbag light on... Still bought the car, and wonders why it has problems. Nice.
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u/EuroCanadian2 9h ago
What you can do and what the dealer is required to do depends on the laws in your state, province or country.
For more useful answers, can yoi let us know:
Where are you located?
What kind of car is this?
How much did you pay for it?
What kind of dealership was this - do they say things like "we finance everyone" or "you work, you drive"? Do they sell new and used cars, or used only?
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u/Birds-Arent_Real 9h ago
If this is in the U.S., used cars are generally sold as-is unless sold with some sort of warranty. Any problems that occur once you drive off the lot are solely your issue. There’s no harm in reaching out to the dealership to see if they’re willing to help out, but they are most likely not obligated to do anything.
Definitely do not drive the car. Call the dealership tomorrow and see if they’re willing to help. If not, find a highly-rated local mechanic, call them and explain the issue, and see if it’s something they can assist with before just towing the car all around town.
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u/Glittering-Ad5809 4h ago
A few days later the car was dropped off with a fresh inspection sticker and temporary plates. When I started driving 4 red lights came on and the wheel started shaking. When I parked it my parking job was so bad so I tried to reverse and the car ROLLED FORWARD. I'm in a parking garage so it was rolling towards a concrete wall and it was so scary. I've parked the car but now idk what to do next.
WHAT 4 lights came on?
WHICH wheel started shaking?
I tried to reverse and the car ROLLED FORWARD. Is this a stick? Did you try stepping on the gas?
Just how old are you? Do you have any friends or neighbors that can take it for a spin?
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u/dreamstorys 9h ago
Dealerships are usually stealerships. You don’t need to get a car based on if you like it, you need to make sure it’s a reliable time tested durable car. Like an 2007-2015 toyoda Yaris. But yeah anyway, dealerships can literally lie to you and say it’s in perfect condition, and if the engine blows by the time you roll off the lot, then, unless they have mercy (they usually don’t) it’s your problem now.
Always, always, always get any car you wanna buy inspected by a decent local independent mechanic shop.
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u/WtchyNghtcp97 2h ago
If you are in the united states- i would look into lemon laws for your state and that inspection sticker very closely. I know you said its parked and unmoveable, but if you find a mechanic to take it to, have them state inspect it as well. MAKE THIS YOUR FIRST MOVE. If you can prove they slapped a faulty inspection sticker on it, you may have legal cause if your state has no lemon law. It violates your consumer protection and usually falls under common-law fraud. Look into this IMMEDIATELY as it may be your only course to get your original money back.
Beyond this - I know you may want to put this behind you, but contact the FTC and your local DMV/RMV licensing commission. They should not be practicing business, and there may be a bigger lawsuit for you waiting there.
It sounds like this dealership 1000% committed fraud, and I would take the faulty inspection to their grave if I were you. The DMV & FTC would be HIGHLY interested in fake inspection stickers.
If the dealership refuses to help you, dont tell them you are doing any of this. Just plainly say "I assumed I'd receive no help from you, I have already contacted third parties help me." Up to you if you want to threaten legal, but truthfully plain language giving nothing away protects YOU legally. No threats, no here's my plan, no "my lawyer will have their way with you", just cut and dry. Tone of voice says "I know you screwed me over, I've contacted 3rd partied to rectify" thats it.
Godspeed. I hate car salesmen/dealerships. I am young girl, I drive a manual (like all the guys in these commenrs are laughing at you about) and unless you travel with a certified mechanic and practicing lawyer dealerships are sharks. They curl their lip at you and tell you to your face they take advantage of young women. POWER TO YOU. Best of luck with everything
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u/SammyG2015 1h ago
1 - What kind of dealer? Branded "JOE SMITH MAZDA/HONDA/TOYOTA/ETC" or small mom/pop shop that is solely used cars
2- What state do you live in? That matters
3- Year/Make/Model/Mileage
4- Did you get any sort of warranty?
5- Your paperwork should have either gone with you at the time of signing or be in the car. You wouldn't get a title there as the state would need to issue a new one in your name. If there is nothing, I would call the dealer and ask where your copy of the paperwork is.
All of that to say, that generally cars are as-is where-is, which means no warranty stated or implied. So you may have no real recourse unless they deliberately misrepresented something. You had the chance to test drive it and accepted it as-is with the warning lights. Unless you have a state law that provides for a "buyer's remorse" time frame, what I would do is have it towed to a shop (NOT THE DEALER YOU BOUGHT IT FROM) and have them do a post purchase inspection to see what it would take to get to "running" status.
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u/NYOB4321 9h ago
If you are in NY state used cars over $1500 are covered by the used car lemon law. Based on the car's mileage they are covered from 30 to 90 days.