Buying a car is a significant investment. You deserve peace of mind knowing that your new vehicle is safe, reliable and that its value accurately reflects its price tag. Unfortunately, some unscrupulous dealerships resort to a deceptive practice called “title washing” to hide a car’s troubled past and to trick unsuspecting buyers. Understanding what title washing is and how dealerships use it can help you be aware of the dangers it can pose and how you can protect your interests in the event that you come face to face with this kind of scam. What is title washing? A car title is a legal docume ..read more

Those looking to buy a used vehicle place a lot of trust in the dealerships they patronize. They expect the salespeople there to fully and accurately disclose the vehicle’s history and report any known issues with the vehicle. They also probably expect that the price set for the vehicle reflects its current condition and driving history. After all, Connecticut state law regulates the conduct of auto dealers by imposing certain requirements, like a need to disclose vehicle issues to buyers. Unfortunately, the profit incentive motivating most salespeople and dealerships can lead to overtly uneth ..read more

These days, you can forget about buying a $1000 “beater with a heater” to get you around for a while. The prices of used motor vehicles can now be as high as what people once paid for brand-new vehicles.  That’s made more people than ever look carefully at the extended warranty options they’re offered from the dealership and other sellers. But, do extended warranties actually have much value? You’d be better off banking your money As one editor at Consumer Reports noted “Dealers and automakers sell extended warranties to make money. The consumer is only at a disadvantage with these things ..read more

There are many different tactics that salespeople will use when trying to sell you a vehicle. Their goal should be to answer your questions and help you explore vehicles that may be right for your needs. But they may actually try to pressure you or even manipulate you into making a purchase. For example, maybe a salesperson knows that a vehicle isn’t in perfect condition. They haven’t necessarily tried to commit fraud by hiding the issues, but they are certainly hoping that they can pressure you and cause you to overlook those issues. How might they do it? Creating an impending event One tacti ..read more

Consumers who visit a used car lot to purchase a vehicle should ensure they’re still fully checking the history and current condition of any vehicle they’re considering. Certain issues might come up that need to be addressed proactively so that problems don’t arise later. Unfortunately, taking a used car salesperson at their word isn’t always possible. Auto dealership fraud, which occurs when the dealership or its employees misrepresent a vehicle’s condition, is a very serious problem. For example, in some cases, rust and repaint are major problems that could be construed as dealership fraud ..read more

Auto dealer fraud comes in many different forms. Sometimes, those attempting to sell a vehicle intentionally omit certain information when communicating with the prospective buyer. Other times, they misrepresent the condition of the vehicle or mislead a customer about the true costs of the purchase. When someone buys a vehicle through a dealership, they have certain types of legal protection. Purchasing directly from a vehicle’s prior owner comes with fewer overt legal protections, but some used car buyers view it as a cost-effective solution. There isn’t a dealership markup when someone tries ..read more

Whether you’re a seasoned car buyer or a first-time purchaser, understanding what details car dealers ought to disclose about a used vehicle on sale is crucial. After all, as a consumer, you deserve to be well-informed about the product you are investing in. Furthermore, a car purchase is a significant investment, you’ll need all the information you can get to make the right buy. Vehicle history report When considering the purchase of a used vehicle, the first detail you should find out about is its comprehensive vehicle history report. This document offers a chronological overview of the car ..read more

In Connecticut, as in many states, specific disclosure requirements are in place to protect buyers from unknowingly purchasing vehicles that have been damaged, including those damaged by flooding. Flood-damaged cars can have various hidden problems, from electrical system malfunctions to mold and corrosion. Because of this, transparency regarding a vehicle’s history, especially regarding flood damage, is legally mandated during the sale process. Disclosure of flood damage In Connecticut, sellers must disclose any significant information that might affect the value or safety of a vehicle, inclu ..read more

Car dealerships engage in odometer rollbacks to create a false perception of a vehicle’s usage. By decreasing the recorded mileage, they aim to make the car appear newer and less worn than it truly is. This deceptive tactic can become a tool for maximizing profits at the expense of unsuspecting buyers. Odometer rollbacks present an opportunity for dealerships to inflate the perceived value of a vehicle, allowing them to command a higher price. The impact of odometer rollback on consumers For buyers, the consequences of purchasing a vehicle with a rolled-back odometer can be financially devasta ..read more

The state of Connecticut was one of the first to enact Lemon laws to assist owners of cars that are less than 2 years old or have less than 24,000 miles on them. The law applies to all new vehicles sold or leased in the state, including motorcycles, passenger cars, and commercial vehicles.  Chapter 743b of Connecticut’s General Statutes defines it as a law that enables consumers to initiate informal arbitration with the Department of Consumer Protection against the manufacturer of a passenger car that is still under warranty and meets specific criteria in a timely, convenient and cos ..read more