Q: Advice on legal actions for car purchase and warranty issues in Missouri with no dealer response.
I purchased a used car with a 60-day warranty from a dealer in June 2024 in Kansas City. Within this period, I had to replace the engine, radiator, hoses, and work on the transmission, totaling over $10,000 in repairs. I sent two letters to the dealer with the repair bills but received no response. The warranty was provided by the dealer. I would like advice on potential legal actions or steps I can take to address this issue.
A: If you complied with the warranty provisions in getting the repairs, you can pursue a claim for breach of contract and possibly a violation of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act. Typically you are required to get the work completed by the dealer that sold you the car, or if it doesn't have a shop, use the facility that the dealer directs you to use. There is no way for an attorney to assess the validity of your case without reading the warranty. It is also quite possible that the warranty did not provide for paying for the repairs but instead offered a replacement vehicle or allowed you to return the vehicle for a refund. The bottom line is that you had to comply with the terms of the warranty to get any compensation.
Ronald J. Eisenberg agrees with this answer
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