{"id":352651,"date":"2016-12-02T20:22:31","date_gmt":"2016-12-03T01:22:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/consumer\/lemon-law\/how-to-sue-a-car-dealer-for-misrepresentation.html"},"modified":"2024-01-16T14:20:51","modified_gmt":"2024-01-16T19:20:51","slug":"how-to-sue-a-car-dealer-for-misrepresentation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/lemon-law\/how-to-sue-a-car-dealer-for-misrepresentation.html","title":{"rendered":"How To Sue a Car Dealer for Misrepresentation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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How To Sue a Car Dealer for Misrepresentation<\/h1>\n
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\n By Steven Ellison, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Steven Ellison, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

You can sue a car dealership for lying to you in some situations.<\/p>\r\n

Let’s say you’ve found a great used vehicle \u2014 a sharp sports coupe with a shiny coat of paint and the extra power of a V6 engine. The salesperson told you the car was in mint condition with low mileage and had never been in an accident.<\/p>\r\n

You like the car’s condition and are thrilled at the price. You proudly drive it off the lot.<\/p>\r\n

You learn soon after you buy it that the car has been in a major collision with significant body damage. The dealer made cosmetic fixes to make the vehicle look new and rolled back the odometer<\/a>. This dealer was not truthful with you<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

This is illegal and known as fraud<\/a> or misrepresentation. Consumer protection laws<\/a> protect you, and you can file a lawsuit with help from an auto fraud attorney<\/a>. This doesn’t apply just to used cars. You can sue for issues with a new car as well.<\/p>\r\n

Below is key information about how to sue a car dealer for misrepresentation<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Federal and State Laws<\/h2>\r\n

Several federal and state statutes in place prohibit car dealer fraud and misrepresentation. You also have certain specific rights if you buy a used car.<\/p>\r\n

While "lemon laws<\/a>" cover selling defective vehicles, they only apply to new vehicles in some states. Only some states’ lemon laws<\/a> cover used vehicle purchases as well.<\/p>\r\n

Car dealer fraud laws protect consumers looking to buy a car, truck, van, or motorcycle. Some of these laws include regulations put into place by:<\/p>\r\n