Is a dealer supposed to notify you of damage?

[Parag]

i know a guy that prepaid for a mini cooper and it was damaged after he signed paperwork, and it got smashed in transit. he had to wait an extra 2 months for people to get their act together and get it fixed. he never got any dicount or anything. they said if he wanted he could walk from the deal and lose his deposit. when he went to sell it, the damage was on the carfax, and he lost money for that too. i would think there is something he could have done, but he said he did everything he could without involving lawyers.

[cwahl]

I was thinking the same thing. My victory red on my bumper is VERY close to matching the rest of my car (i can only see the difference with polarized sun glasses). I thought maybe it was a difference between plastic and metal but my rear bumper doesnt do the same under the glass... almost like someone may have clutch popped it into the car infront of it at some point and covered it up. I also had a door ding on the passengers door and a dent in my RS roof molding but the dealership is working with me to get that taken care of.

[1BADLS3]

For minor issues before the title has transferred to your name, no, I wouldn't expect they'd have to report anything unless there was structural damage to frame rails or anything other than a "rental car ding" (can usually fit in a 1" circle and requires <2 hours of body work)

But if the vehicle has been involved in any kind of traffic accident with another vehicle, then I believe certain laws dictate that be sold as a used car, or the existing owner must be notified of the damage prior to completion of the sale.

@cwahl - The front and rear bumpers are probably produced at different times or in different locations. I wouldn't worry at all about a slight color difference.

[Raptor626]

Also, just to add more fuel to my paranoia, the gaps on the deck lid seem to be different on each side, right where the lid meets the taillights. Is that normal? I have seen it on other camaros.

[Raptor626]

or is that ^ just a crappy bumper?

[Mr_Draco]

Originally Posted by Raptor626

Let's say your car is damaged during shipping or once it's at the dealer getting prepped, does the dealer have to notify you before he makes repairs? Let's also say that you actually ordered the car specifically how you wanted it and paid for it in advance. Let's also forget about decency and morals for a sec.


I'm asking because I heard of a story where a guy bought a "new" car off a dealer's lot and once he went home and inspected it, he realized that it had been damaged and the dealer never told him.

Legally, no the dealer is not required to notify the buyer of of any damage it has sustained UNLESS the repair costs exceeds a certain percentage of the car.

[Cbrenthus]

Originally Posted by Mr_Draco

Legally, no the dealer is not required to notify the buyer of of any damage it has sustained UNLESS the repair costs exceeds a certain percentage of the car.

LOL, I was just about to post that the only law I was able to find when researching this was that in NC they have to tell you if it is over a certain percent of the price.

It really depends on state laws. This happened to my mom, she bought a brand new Mercedes CLK a few years ago, within a year the rear bumper and spoiler paint didn't look right, and after 2 years the clear in those areas was peeling. When she took it in to get re-cleared, the guy told her it it had been in an accident because the bumper support was cracked.

[Raptor626]

Someone could have bumped into your mom and caused that.

[HDRDTD]

Just relax, take a deep breath, look over the car very carefully before you accept delivery, then get it, drive it and ENJOY.

[Cbrenthus]

Originally Posted by Raptor626

Someone could have bumped into your mom and caused that.

OK, even so, a brand new mercedes had the rear bumper and spoiler repainted before she took delivery. I doubt anyone could have hit her hard enough to crack the support without her knowing, even if she wasn't in the car there would have been external damage.

[Baldman]

Originally Posted by Raptor626

I'm very paranoid of shady dealers, specifically because I live in NYC.

Originally Posted by Raptor626

Also, just to add more fuel to my paranoia, the gaps on the deck lid seem to be different on each side, right where the lid meets the taillights. Is that normal? I have seen it on other camaros.

How do you sleep at night? Lol

[Miraclewhip]

The damage MUST be over a certain dollar amount, or the dealer is not required to tell the end client of the damage.

[Kwik]

Yes, they do. They will typically do it when you are signing papers and taking delivery. It's mighty hard to say no at that point.

[Baba]

For someone whom this hasn't happened to or who doesn't know someone whom this has happened to, you're digging mighty hard.

IMHO, RUN, don't walk, away from this car. I don't believe there is a minimum $$$ amount at which the dealer has to disclose damage. I believe the dealer is obligated to disclose any damage, irrespective of $$$ amount or location on the vehicle. It pays to ask, however. Always pursue your "due diligence".

A prospecitve buyer enters into an agreement to purchase an undamaged, unrepaired, factory new vehicle. That's what the buyer should receive. If the vehicle has, at any time, sustained damage, full disclosure should be made to the prospective buyer and said buyer has the right to decline the purchase of (read; walk away from) said vehicle without incurring any "penalty" such as losing a deposit. Anything else is plain LUDICROUS. (just one of the reasons not to pay for a vehicle up front and always get everything in writing).