Legal Question in Consumer Law in Virginia

Re: Private party auto fraud

This is a classic case of fraud or misrepresentation. The question is can you prove that they told you that. If you say they said it, and they deny it, that could be a problem.

However, in general, they have clearly committed fraud by this statement. You could go to court and either (a) rescind the contract or (b) recover the difference between the value of the car that they promised you and the car they actually sold you (a damaged car).

Re: Private party auto fraud

Everybody gets burned on a used car deal when they are 18. It is part of growing up. Next time have your own mechanic inspect the car and run a carfax report before you buy a used car. The hatch that didn't close should have clued you in to the twisted frame. If you can get a 2nd mechanic (someone who is a licensed inspector) to agree that the car should not have passed inspection, you might be able to take the 1st mechanic to small claims court. Or, if you run a carfax and it comes up as a salvage (crashed) vehicle you could take the seller to court for fraud. But you would probably lose in either case, because used cars are normally sold "as is." Whether or not it would be worth it to you to go to court depends on how much money you are out, vs. the time and expense of a court case. Under $2000 you can go to small claims court without a lawyer, ask the clerk at your local General District Court.