Can I sue a dealership for leasing me a car with a different mileage from the car history report?

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Can I sue a dealership for leasing me a car with a different mileage from the car history report?

And now I’m now having transmission problems?

Asked on December 26, 2012 under General Practice, South Carolina

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 11 years ago | Contributor

The car history report is not a legally enforceable document: it is evidence of what the mileage should be, but nothing more. If you believe the dealer has falsified the mileage, you could sue the dealer for fraud; you would have to prove to the court, by a "preponderance of the evidence" (that it is more likely than not) that the dealer kinowingly or intentionally falsified the mileage. Note that the car history report may not be enough, by itself, to prove this, in the face of contrary evidence (e.g. what it says on the odometer) and also if the car came to the dealer with the mileage already falsified, the dealer would not be responsible for the actions of prior owners.

As to the transmission: again, if you if you can show that the dealer knew of the transmission problem and hid that from you, the dealer may have committed fraud and you may have a basis to seek monetary compensation or rescind the transaction. However, if the problem developed after you took the car, or if the dealer did know of it prior to leasing the car to you, the dealer would not be liable. You would, in that case, only be able to enforce any rights you have in any warranties.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

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