Hurricane Sandy Reminder: Beware of the Used Cars in New Jersey
Both the New Jersey Division of Consumer affairs (NJDC) and Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa want to remind anyone buying or thinking about buying a used car to beware. It’s vital to always check the used car’s history using its VIN. Most car buyers do not think about the car’s history. Instead, they want to make sure everything is working properly before drying off the car lot. Beware. The car may have been exposed to recent flood damage due to Hurricane Sandy.
This is not to say that New Jersey has dishonest used car dealers. Majority of the state’s car dealers are above-board and honest. However, the NJDC and Chiesa have taken action against car dealers who were accused of failing to disclose past flood damage and other information to car buyers.
Customers should always obtain and view a vehicle history report. The report provides detailed history on the make, model and previous repairs done on the car. It’s also important to understand the car’s warranty since more and more cars have been exposed to Hurricane Sandy’s flood waters.
Cars sitting in any flood waters are exposed to a wide range of mechanical problems. These problems can develop long after the consumer has driven the car off the lot. For instance, engines can stall. It can also fail while the driver is in the middle of traffic. Electronic components can stop functioning and even corrode. Airbags, anti-locks and other parts may become comprised or fail at any time—even after the car has been totally repaired.
Besides failing car components, car buyers are at risk of inhaling dangerous pathogens, mildew and mold which developed after cars were pulled from the contaminated waters. These can subject drivers and passengers to allergy risks.
Shortly after the Hurricane Sandy occurred, Chiesa reminded everyone about the state’s Consumer Fraud act and Motor vehicle advertising Regulations. Whether the seller is a car dealer or not it is illegal to advertise a car for sale without including a proper disclosure about prior damage. It is also illegal to fail to disclose any past fleet or rental use of a car.
During the years of 2010 and 2011, the NJCA reached separate settlements with five used car dealers. They agreed to pay a total of $240,000 after they were accused of not disclosing required information about vehicles in their possession.
Car Buying Tips
When looking to buy or buying a used car, look for the Used Car Buyer’s Guide. The guide is posted in plain sight on the car. It describes the warranty information.
Test drive the car. Make sure to listen to noises and check all car components like lights, gauges and electrical systems.
Don’t accept the deal on the used car if you feel like you’re being pressured.
Remember: it’s against the law for the seller to misrepresent the car’s mechanical condition. It is also illegal to fail to disclose any or all of the material defects in the mechanical condition which the dealer knows about.
