Is there anyway auto dealership can rip me off?

[V8 Vega]

I read on this forum that after the car is registered it is then used. Before that it's new.

[z28lt1]

Originally Posted by V8 Vega

I read on this forum that after the car is registered it is then used. Before that it's new.

As a general rule, anything written on this forum about motor vehicle rules that are blanket statements should be taken with a grain of salt. Most laws such as this are state specific, so that there will be variances from state to state. So, things like Lemon Laws, disclosure for damage, etc that are mentioned will apply to a specific state, and shouldn't be considered factual outside of the state.

In this specific example, however, I believe the statement is correct in man states. Most states consider a vehicle new until it is titled, no matter how many miles a dealer may have put on it for their own purposes.

However, there are exceptions. For example, in Colorado, the vehicle must have less than 1,500 miles on it to be considered new, so some of the high mileage demonstrators would be sold as used.

Most of this is just for titling, inspections, emissions and fee purposes from the state. The price of the transaction is between the dealer and buyer, and calling a car new or used doesn't change that agreement. It has little impact on anything outside of paperwork.

Now, here is the crazy part that we will add-on: Federal Law. The FTC says that any vehicle used for purposes other than selling the car (test drives, moving the car on the lot, etc.) makes the car used, registered/titled or not. Dealer Demos are used. The impact to this though is that the dealer must abide by the Federal used car rule, which mostly requires them to put a second sticker on the car that explains the warranty that comes with it.

So, a car can be considered "new" by the state, and "used" by the federal government all at the same time. Again, other than paperwork, it matters little.

[pknopp]

Originally Posted by sunsprit

[color="blue"]Not what you asserted in your prior post about a Caddy dealer not wanting to risk failing to disclose paint work on a car. You claimed that they had to disclose repair work by LAW.

We were discussing the paint work as you described.

[pknopp]

Originally Posted by z28lt1

I won't reply any more after this, it is clear you are throwing stuff at the wall and see what sticks, and changing your tune along the way, not to mention, I think this won't help the OP at all.

If you think "a couple of minor dents do not have to be disclosed" but a repaint of a single panel does there is no hope here. These things are governed by law. Sate legislators don't write laws about size and number of dents or amount of paint used or anything like that.

As you note, a couple hail dings is not going to reach 3%.

[sunsprit]

Originally Posted by pknopp

We were discussing the paint work as you described.

Indeed, I identified that I spotted paint work that was a good color match under the shop lights but the surface quality and dirt in the paint on that quarter didn't match the rest of the car, which tipped me off that paint work had been done. I had no idea how much damage the car had that necessitated the paint work and didn't speculate as to any bodywork there or on this thread.

That paint work was not disclosed to the buyer until I showed it to him.

You're the one who made a big deal about that being required BY LAW to be disclosed to the buyer and a comment that a Caddy dealer wouldn't "risk" not being in accordance with THE LAW.

But such disclosure isn't required in Nebraska, as you've been told on other responses here.

[Ron61]

Originally Posted by GoodHombre

I'm aware of the fact that shady dealerships have various tactics to rip off customers, especially when it comes to used car/finance/service.

But I'm going to buy a brand new car with all cash. I've researched its market price and negotiated with dealers, the agreed price is acceptable. However, judging from Yelp reviews, all Toyota dealers in my area have very low ratings. I guess buying a new car with cash leaves very little room for dealers to rip me off, maybe the worst case is a less than ideal price?

Anything else I need to be prepared?

Thanks

A quick google search will advise you on any number of things to look out for. Cash purchase does NOT give you the power you might assume it does. Dealers make a lot of money off of financing and would prefer you go that route. Cash buyers cost them big money!