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private party car buy - seller didn't smog

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samhain

Junior Member
What is the name of your state? CA

I purchased a car from a a private party and am generally very happy with the deal. I paid substantially less than the blue book value of the car. When I bought it the car had two issues: brakes weren't working as well as they should, and the glass for the front corner light was cracked and broken off. I fixed both problems for not much money. However, the seller told me when I bought it that DMV said smog is buyer's responsibility. I learned after I took possession of the car that this is not true. I was willing to pay for the smog certificate, and didn't think it would be a problem since I checked the car's smog history online and it passed smog as recently as last summer. When I took it in to smog it failed, required ignition timing adjustment before it passed. I paid a total of $150 for repairs + smog cert. Honestly, I am not that miffed about the costs, as with the repair costs I am still out ahead and its a great car. What are my options to recoup the cost to pass the smog check? My plan is to contact the seller and see if he'll at least split the costs, if small-claims court is the only legal option it's probably not worth the effort. TIA
 


luskg

Junior Member
You can:

1. Ask them to pay or to pay a portion.
2. Take them to small claims.
3. Hire Guido the killer pimp to break their legs.

What options are you looking for? If you are unwilling to make the effort to sue them the only thing you can do is ask them to pay. You already answered your own question.
 

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