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When you buy a used car, you expect some wear and tear. What you shouldn’t have to expect is hidden frame damage. Dealers are required by law to tell you about certain facts, called material facts, even if you don’t ask. These include whether the car:
- Was a lemon-law buyback
- Was previously a rental
- Has a salvage title
- Was in a serious accident that caused major damage, like to the frame or suspension
If a dealer sells you a car with frame damage and doesn’t tell you, that’s illegal. You may be able to sue and get your money back.
Why Frame Damage Must Be Disclosed
A dealer can make a car look great on the outside. But some damage, like to the frame, can’t be seen just by looking. If the dealer fixed the body and gave it a fresh paint job, you’d never know what really happened. A car with frame damage is worth less, and if you paid full price, you were likely overcharged. That’s fraud, auto fraud.
Even If You Signed a Contract, You Still Have Rights
A signed contract doesn’t protect a dealer who broke the law. If we can prove the dealer knew about the damage and failed to tell you, you can take legal action. Most of our clients want to cancel the deal, get their down payment back and return the car. That’s a common outcome in cases like this.
How to Tell If You Were Scammed
If you’re reading this, you probably suspect something’s wrong. Maybe a mechanic spotted the damage. Maybe you ran a Carfax report. Or maybe the check engine light came on and something doesn’t feel right.
We can help. Our office can run a VIN check and guide you through the steps to confirm if the damage was hidden. Not all accidents are reported to the DMV, so in some cases, you may need a written inspection from a trusted body shop.
Get a Free Consultation, Don’t Wait
Time matters. The sooner you speak to a lawyer, the better. Our firm offers free consultations, and we’ll walk through your car’s history with you to see if you have a strong case. Many clients come in for one issue, and we uncover others that can also lead to legal action.
We work on contingency, which means you pay nothing up front. We only get paid if we recover money for you.
Think you were sold a bad car? Call our office today. (213) 568-6734
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