Q: Is it legal for a dealership to withhold my car that is financed through the bank when I have been making payments?
I financed a car and it began overheating in less than 24 hrs of having it. The dealership kept it for over 2 months stating that it was fixed and 2 days after having it back the same issue occurred and they placed it back in their shop. During the first period of getting my car fixed, I was given a loaner car that was hit in my parking lot over night. I filled it with my insurance to get it repaired and am waiting on an estimate. They are now refusing to give me my car or fix it. Is it legal for them to do so with it being financed through the bank and I’m making payments on time each month?
A: Yes. They have a lien on the car securing all work they do. This has nothing to do with the car loan and car payments.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
