A DRIVER has been left baffled after his “certified pre-owned” car was sold to him without a vital part.
Not having it could knock value off the vehicle when the time comes to sell or even just render it useless.
A driver has been looking for legal advice after buying a car that was missing a critical part[/caption]
Whenever you buy a car, there’s a whole bundle of bits and pieces that come with it.
Whether it be ownership forms, a service history or the registration details, they’re all necessary to get on the road.
But perhaps the most important item you need is the key, which usually comes in two sets.
It’s easy to overlook, but not having a second key can cause problems down the line.
Most obviously, forgetting the spare could render your car useless if you ever lose your main set.
A second key can be a lifesaver when you’re locked out and save you from spending hundreds on locksmiths.
If it isn’t in the deal, you don’t get it
And even if you keep track of the original, plenty of buyers won’t pay as much for a car with only one key when you sell it on to reflect the money and time it costs them to get another one cut.
This is the scenario one driver found himself facing when he picked up his new set of wheels.
Posting on Avvo, an advice forum where people can contact verified lawyers, they asked: “Do I get two keys when I purchase a certified used car?
“The dealer only has one key from the previous owner.
“The salesman says he will try to get it from last owner, or else I would have to pay for a new one.”
Unfortunately, the attornies who replied weren’t able to give the motorist good news.
One wrote: “This is not a legal issue.
“If they can’t get the other key, and you want a second key, you will need to pay for it yourself.
“If it’s not in the contract that that dealer is required to provide you two keys, the dealer has no obligation to do so.”
What makes a car a lemon?
Each law has different parameters on what defines a lemon, but generally, a car is lemon when it’s in the shop for longer than it’s on the road.
Progressive Auto Insurance describes a lemon as a car with “a significant defect or malfunction that makes it unsafe to drive,” though exact parameters vary by state. All 50 states have lemon laws covering new vehicles, but only seven have lemon laws to protect used car buyers.
Federally, however, consumers are protected under U.S. Code Chapter 50 covering consumer product warranties. In layman’s terms, the law dictates that consumers be compensated by the manufacturer when “multiple attempts to repair a vehicle under warranty fail.”
What to do if you think you bought a lemon:
- Research your state’s lemon laws and their exact parameters.
- Contact the dealership, especially if it’s still under factory warranty.
- If the dealership refuses to repair the issue, contact the Automotive Consumer Action Program or the National Automobile Dealers Association.
- Send a certified letter to the manufacturer with an explanation of the issue, with documentation and proof that you’ve contacted a dealership.
- Depending on the outcome, you can report the dealership to the DMV for selling a car that needs immediate repairs.
- Consider small claims court.
- Consult an attorney specializing in lemon law through the National Association of Consumer Advocates.
Source: Progressive Auto Insurance
Another added: “The law doesn’t regulate this area.
“You get what you paid for.
“If it isn’t in the deal, you don’t get it.”
