can you go back on a used car dealer for not disclosing water damage?

[fastblue240sx]

I have a kinda odd question. I was wondering if you can goafter a used car dealer for not disclosing water damage. I ask this because a few of my buddies think my car has been in or near a flood.

Darkelf :firedevil

[SmithSR]

A strictly used car dealer? Or a new car dealership that has some used trades on the side lot? You <might> have a snowball's chance if you went to a new car dealership that also sells used/trades. If it was a strictly used lot, you probably signed a paper that says you "accept present condition, and agree to not hold the dealer liable from all problems with car, known or unknown." That's how it's done around here, anyways.

Rule #1 is be skeptical of strictly used car lots.Rule #2 is know somebody important at a dealer you buy from.

Those two steps will eliminate 95% of car buying trouble.

[fastblue240sx]

It was a strictly used car dealer. I don't recall signing a form saying that, but I'll look over my paperwork. If I didn't sign anything saying that, what could I do about it?

Darkelf :firedevil

:starwars:

[SmithSR]

"as is" owns you. Read the fine print. You may find out that the used car dealer has no obligation to research the history of the car, or to report any part of that history to you. Sorry to hear about this. BTW, what is the present condition of the car? What did your pals find that would make them think of water damage?

[PalmerWMD]

Last time I checked into something like that (state of MN) the rule was <if> he knew about an accident or flood or some such, and <if> you asked specifically if it had been in it, <then> he would have to answer truthfully.And if you can show they intentionally lied ,then you have a case.In this example if you specifcally asked "was it ever in a flood?" and he said "No" and you can show that it was and he knew then you'd have a case

I don't know how valid this really is but to this day when I buy a used car I alwasy ask specifically:" To your or your dealerships knowledge has this car ever been in a flodd?:"... in a major wreck?""in a minor wreck?""..stolen"". ever sold or titled for salvage reagardless of what it says on the current title"?

" are you aware of, or have suspicions of, any odometer rollback?"

In <all other> cases "as is" owns you, like SmithSR put it.

Fred...

[fastblue240sx]

Ok, what made them think it had been in water was that the rails that the seat slides on have rust and corrosinon on them, and the carpet has a faint rust color in it. Also, I probably should have asked those questions when I got it, but I didn't even notice this until after I got it home and was showing it to a few of my buddies. I think next time I'll definitely look for that stuff and ask about anything that could be wrong with it.Again, thanks.

Darkelf :firedevil

[Bubba1]

Hmmmm. Hard to say if that's flood damage or a previous owner leaving the windows open during a storm without seeing the car. If the sales contract was as is/where is, I don't think you'll be able to accomplish much legally, especially if there's nothing mechanically wrong with the car. It would be difficult to prove that the dealer actually knew of flood damage, unless he had a salvage title on it. I don't know how long you've had the car, or if you're actually having MECHANICAL problems as a result of the flood damage, but the first thing on your list is to look at what you signed when you bought it.

[s15nc]

I dont know about your state but I know in NC you have a few days to back out of any purchas for any reason. You can go and sign a contract on a brand new car and drive it as many miles as you want for the weekend and then bring it back and say no, decided I dont want to buy it. Same goes with used cars, it is some kind of consumer protection law that any purchas over a certain value or maybe it is only cars but I think it might only be 48 hours or 1 week so a limited time span and the law is not well known at all.