Legal Question in Civil Litigation in California

Do buyers of used car have any rights??

Does a purchaser of a used vehicle from a private party have any rights? I purchase a used car that completely broke down and required $1800 in repairs only 2 days after I bought it. I can not believe that the owner was not aware of the problems when he sold me the car and I feel he was being fraudulent in selling it to me. Even the rapair shop says they could tell that these problems had been going on for some time. Do I have any recourse? Can I take him to small claims court to ask for the repair costs?PLEASE HELP!!!!


Asked on 3/17/03, 6:58 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Robert Miller Robert L. Miller & Associates, A Law Corporation

Re: Do buyers of used car have any rights??

Thank you for your inquiry.

You might be able to get some of your repair costs. Typically, the terms of any contract apply, and with used vehicles sold without a warranty, the terms of any contract usually are "as is."

However, if you can show, through the testimony of a mechanic, that the needed repairs would have been obvious to the seller, and the car was not discounted for the repair costs, you may be able to obtain your repair costs as reimbursement through a judgment. Best of luck.

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Answered on 3/17/03, 10:09 pm


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