When you buy a vehicle, it’s with the expectation that it has been represented correctly by the dealership. In fact, you go to a dealership to avoid questions about the vehicle, because many dealerships do their due diligence and make sure they are aware of all vehicle defects before selling.
Buying a used vehicle can be tough, though. You need to get it checked out by a mechanic, and you want to be sure it’s going to drive the way that it should. There are times when you may find that your purchase wasn’t what you expected, and in those times, you should be able to return it.
Consumer laws help protect you
If a dealer engages in fraudulent practices, then there is a chance you could return the vehicle and get your money back. Some of the illegal practices to watch out for include:
- Finding out that the vehicle was in an undisclosed accident
- Finding rust or damage that was hidden with a new coat of paint
- Buying a vehicle for more than the price at which it was advertised
- Buying a vehicle and then being told that the warranty or repair won’t be covered due to an exclusion you weren’t informed of
Unfortunately, Connecticut is a state with significant auto fraud. Drivers in the state reported 318.9 auto fraud incidents per million residents in 2020. Connecticut ranked fourth out of all states for auto fraud, getting beat only by Nevada, Delaware and Florida.
What should you do if you think you purchased a lemon?
The first thing to do is to reach out to the dealership. There is a chance that a mistake was made or that the dealership wasn’t aware of damage that turned up later on. Sometimes, the dealership will be willing to make things right by honoring a contract or warranty despite not thinking the repair should be covered.
You can take legal action to get help
If the dealership won’t help, then it may be time to learn more about the state’s lemon laws and to look into making a claim against the company.