Q: We bought a car private party and the seller stated that it was Mechanically sound, brought to mechanic needs 12K to be.
We recently (3/17) bought a used vehicle via private party in messages from the seller they stated that they put about 2,500 in to the vehicle to make it mechanically sound. When we arrived the told us that the only thing that needed repaired was the power steering motor. We agreed to pay 3,500 for the vehicle, as we were under the assumption that the vehicle did not need any major repairs.
Yesterday (3/18) | brought it to the dealership to get an inspection done, just to be safe. After the inspection was performed we found out that it needs almost 12K worth of repairs (including some tires). We live in washington state. What legal rights do we have??
A:
In Washington State, private party car sales are generally considered "as is," meaning the buyer assumes the risk for any problems with the vehicle after purchase. However, if the seller made specific claims about the condition of the car that turned out to be false, you might have grounds for a legal claim based on misrepresentation or fraud.
Given the seller claimed the car was mechanically sound and only mentioned a minor issue, this contradicts the significant repairs needed as identified by your mechanic. Document all communications with the seller regarding the condition of the vehicle, as well as the mechanic's report detailing the necessary repairs.
It's recommended to contact a legal professional who is knowledgeable about consumer protection laws in your state. They can provide guidance on whether you have a viable case and the best steps to pursue it. Also, consider reaching out to local consumer protection agencies, as they may offer additional advice or assistance.
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.
