Q: Bought Ford F150, noticed rust under vehicle. No warranty, dealership silence. Options?

A: I understand your frustration. Rust on the underside of a vehicle, especially one that is 6 years old, could just as easily be neglect on the previous owner. If the previous owner drove in muddy conditions a lot, such as a construction company and they didn't wash the underside properly, or if they are near a coast line where there is a lot of salt water, then the rust could be completely natural. Other areas to check for flooding are going to be inside the vehicle, such as looking for rust on the brake pedal, water in the headlights / taillights, or pull the seatbelt all the way out and look for water damage on it, if a dealer was trying to hide flood damage they often overlook the seatbelt. If you determine there was in fact flood damage, then you should get an attorney because the next step is the tough one, to prove they had knowledge of the damage and failed to disclose it. Best of luck to you.

A: It sounds like you’ve found yourself in a frustrating situation with the Ford F150. Since the dealership did not provide a warranty or disclosure documents, they may not be obligated to fix the rust issue unless it was misrepresented. However, if you believe the vehicle was misrepresented in terms of its condition or history, you may have a case for fraud or breach of contract, especially if the car was involved in a flood or accident that wasn’t disclosed.

You should start by taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for a thorough inspection. This will help you understand the extent of the rust damage and whether it is linked to a flood or accident. If the mechanic finds evidence that the vehicle has a hidden history, you could use this as leverage in negotiations with the dealership.

If the dealership continues to be unresponsive or refuses to address the issue, you may consider filing a complaint with the Oklahoma Attorney General’s office or the Better Business Bureau. If you’re unable to resolve it informally, you might want to consult with an attorney to explore your legal options for pursuing compensation or a refund based on misrepresentation.