Lemon Car bought used

[demo727]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

Florida

I purchased a second hand car a (2002) Hyundai Accent from a used car dealer. In the past two weeks the following have occured.

1. The Drivers side handle on the outside of the car cracked off in my hand
2. The car screeches and reeks of when you turn the ignition
3. when you break their is a loud clunking
4. For the past week the Air conditioning stopped working
5. They Did not disclose that CD player was broken
6. Ciggarette lighter broken so no GPS

[/LIST]

The only Car parts covered are the breaks, the rest of the items are not covered. What are my rights after only having the car for two weeks, can someone please help me.

 

[swalsh411]

FL lemon law does not cover used cars. Can I assume you did not take the car to a mechanic for an inspection? The lighter may be an easy fix (loose wire) and you can pick up a used CD player off ebay or craiglist for cheap.

 

[Antigone*]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

Florida

I purchased a second hand car a (2002) Hyundai Accent from a used car dealer. In the past two weeks the following have occured.

1. The Drivers side handle on the outside of the car cracked off in my hand
2. The car screeches and reeks of when you turn the ignition
3. when you break their is a loud clunking
4. For the past week the Air conditioning stopped working
5. They Did not disclose that CD player was broken
6. Ciggarette lighter broken so no GPS

[/LIST]

The only Car parts covered are the breaks, the rest of the items are not covered. What are my rights after only having the car for two weeks, can someone please help me.

The dealer will take care of the safety item but is not obligated to address the other items. Why didn't the mechanic you had inspect the car prior to the purchase find all these other problems?

 

[Kiawah]

Check your fuses. Very likely that's the problem with the lighter, as many plugs don't fit well in lighters and short out the connector, which blows the fuse.

The CD player might even be on the same fused circuit.

You should have inspected the car better yourself, as well as having a mechanic inspect it BEFORE you purchased.

 

[sandyclaus]

The common thread in all of your replies so far are "Why did you not take the car to a mechanic before purchasing it?"

Most buyers are unaware that a used car sale is usually an "AS IS" sale. When you buy it, you get it along with all the bells and whistles and shortcomings that the vehicle has at the time of the sale. The ONLY exception is usually if the vehicle came with some kind of written warranty on the condition of the vehicle or what items they would cover should something happen within a certain period of time after the purchase was completed.

All that being said, it usually falls upon the CONSUMER/BUYER to ensure that the car is in the same condition as what is being represented by the seller. That means taking the time to fully inspect the vehicle, top and bottom, and look for obvious defects that would prevent you from paying the price they are asking for it. It also means having an expert (READ: professional mechanic) inspect the car to help you discover physical or mechanical issues that you didn't know to look for or how to know they exist.

When you choose NOT to be an informed buyer, you end up buying into problems down the line. Just because you chose not to have the car inspected does not mean that the seller is immediately responsible for fixing everything you ultimately found wrong with it. Had you had the vehicle inspected by a mechanic, these items would have been found BEFORE you signed on the dotted line.

Sorry to say, your failure to have the car inspected means that the dealer is NOT liable for the repairs you are asking for, nor can you expect them to take the car back because you are not satisfied.

 

[Ultranothing]

As is = Buyer Beware. I mean, I come to this forum seeking favorable advice, but in the case of used cars and lemon laws (of which I've been an unfortunate victim), if you didn't get a warranty of some kind, you're pretty much S.O.L.

1. The Drivers side handle on the outside of the car cracked off in my hand

New handle, $10 unless it's a European car. Check eBay.

2. The car screeches and reeks of [? I'll assume fuel] when you turn the ignition

This could be a potentially hazardous situation, such as a punctured fuel line (from the initial engagement of the fuel pump). I would have this checked out immediately. I'm not sure what the law in Florida is about the sale of a car that could potentially blow up and kill you, but it may go back to "buyer beware". Not sure.

3. when you break their is a loud clunking

It's "there". There is a loud clunking.

Possible causes:

1. There are worn steering system components: Inspect steering system and replace worn parts as required.

2. The suspension system is loose or worn: Inspect suspension system and replace worn parts as required.

3. The disc brake caliper is not mounted properly: Repair or replace mounting hardware as required.

4. Some of the brake hardware is damaged or missing: or replace disk pad mounting hardware.

Also potentially hazardous issues. Again, check the laws about unsafe vehicle purchases (though I would think you'd notice this during the test-drive? You did take a test-drive, didn't you?)

4. For the past week the Air conditioning stopped working

Well, it was working when they sold it to you. Again, as-is.

5. They Did not disclose that CD player was broken

You could have figured it out before you made the purchase. Buyer beware.

6. [Cig]arette lighter broken so no GPS.

Nine times out of ten, that's a fuse.

What kind of car is it, and how much did you pay for it? Though the lemon law generally doesn't apply to used vehicles, I've been told there are exceptions to vehicles over a certain price point.

 

[swalsh411]

What kind of car is it, and how much did you pay for it? Though the lemon law generally doesn't apply to used vehicles, I've been told there are exceptions to vehicles over a certain price point.

FL lemon laws do not apply to used cars period.