What are my options after buying Used 2008 Rav 4.
I bought a 2008 Toyota Rav 4 with about 175,000 miles in Texas from a dealership that sells new and used cars. I bought this vehicle on an "as is basis" with no warranty. The car was inspected by an independent garage before the purchase. Everything was found to be in working condition. The dealership said the car has been checked and would pass state inspection.
I drove the Rav4 about 60 miles from the dealer immediately after purchase. The check engine light, the VSC light, and the slip indicator light lit up. The diagnostic system shows the following codes:
P0420 trouble code - Catalyst system efficiency low.
C1201 - Engine control system (ECM) Malfunction - ECM is not able to work with the Electronic Stability Control System and Anti-lock Braking System.
I have tried to contact the dealer. There is no response yet during this holiday weekend.
What are my options at this point given that I bought this vehicle on an as is basis? Is the dealer responsible in any way for selling what appears to be a defective vehicle that cannot pass state inspection? Is cancelling payment for the car an option that is open to me?
I drove the Rav4 about 60 miles from the dealer immediately after purchase. The check engine light, the VSC light, and the slip indicator light lit up. The diagnostic system shows the following codes:
P0420 trouble code - Catalyst system efficiency low.
C1201 - Engine control system (ECM) Malfunction - ECM is not able to work with the Electronic Stability Control System and Anti-lock Braking System.
I have tried to contact the dealer. There is no response yet during this holiday weekend.
What are my options at this point given that I bought this vehicle on an as is basis? Is the dealer responsible in any way for selling what appears to be a defective vehicle that cannot pass state inspection? Is cancelling payment for the car an option that is open to me?
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Comments
If anything, I'd take this up with the shop that performed the inspection - did you pay to have that done?
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
However, proving that they knew or should have known about the issues is the hard part.
I would think a new car dealer might be worried about his reputation and be more willing to help you out. What kind of inspection did the independent do? I’d definitely get my money back there.
Sounds like the dealer took a trade from someone who cleared the codes and then did a quick flip without actually checking anything.
Have you gotten an estimate for repairs?
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
These types of cases occurred frequently in my Small Claims court, I can't think of one where the plaintiff prevailed.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-2021 Sahara 4xe-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Search on your state laws. For example, in NJ, buying a used car with under 100k miles from a dealer does allow for some protection, regardless of what the “as is” paperwork claims.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
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Is it possible that a bottle of snake oil potion was used to clean the catalytic converter so that the light would go out. If that is possible the owner could do that too and rush it in for an inspection like the dealer did to get the light to go out.
I don’t know why the buyer didn’t get the car inspected by the dealer prior to purchasing it. Over the years I know of at least a dozen people who bought a car from a dealer but demanded that the car got a new inspection before buying it. A couple guys were told the used car they were about to buy had an inspection that was still valid. Two of those guys walked when the dealer didn’t want to do a new inspection.
And here’s the best part with one of the guys that walked:
The dealer told him it was ILLEGAL to put a new inspection sticker on a car that already had a valid inspection sticker on it.
Nothing validates the old saying, “buyer beware” more than buying a used car.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
Less than $100 for an inspection? You got what you paid for.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I suppose he could try the old lacquer thinner treatment on the cat. The ECM problem might be a bad wiring connector but that could be a devil of a problem to track down.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-2021 Sahara 4xe-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
https://youtu.be/yMmlOKZFD-M
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
https://youtu.be/4NJmB1F2mdE
Of course, you are responsible to know the insurance laws in your State, and I'm not a lawyer, don't even play one on TV.