Return Used Car to Dealership?

[NateSVT]

My dad bought a used BMW X3 from a used car dealership in Murrysville on Friday 9/20.

Same day he bought it 5 warning lights came on.

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On Saturday he dropped it off at the BMW dealership to see what was wrong and what the car needed. They told him it needs over $3000 in parts and labor. Some of the things it needs are DISA valve, all new brakes, some AC parts and maybe some other things, I'll check the sheet later. He just told them to do an oil change and he'd pick up the car.

Thursday (6 days after he bought the car) it wouldn't start. Friday tried to jump start it, wouldn't start. Saturday called dealership and they said they'd have someone come look at it today. They looked at it and couldn't get it started.




Is there a law that would allow him to return a junk used vehicle to a used car dealership (Lemon Law for used vehicles?)? I've heard a lot of bad things about the dealership doing shady shit. I have a feeling they knew about all of the issues and reset the battery or something to turn the lights off during the test drive.

[Darren]

There has to be something. Most places have a 30 day policy.
Has your dad called and simply asked to return it?

That's screwed up...

[Terminated]

How did he pay? I would have him put a hold on payment if possible. Also, I believe that you have at least a 7day return period by law.

Also, I would stay far far away from any BMW with 137k miles unless I put them all on there.

[scorpio333]

Did he take it to A&L? My buddy works out there and has been with BMW for a long time, he's one of the honest ones left. I sent him a message to see if he knows what the used lot may have done with it.

[Maxpowers]

Doesn't matter if there's a law or not. Unless the car lot is wiling to take it back, you'd need to file a civil lawsuit.

I've heard of this happening before. You'd need to prove they knew prior to selling the car, a difficult thing to do. The ones I've heard of are settled with the car lot and the owner splitting the cost of fixing it 50/50.

[Cam99]

If it was bought "as-is" as I'm sure they sold it with that kind of miles, he's SOL.

[Silverhatch]

What Cam said. Why wouldnt he take it back same day or the very next?

[went9s]

If it was bought "as-is" as I'm sure they sold it with that kind of miles, he's SOL.

Not. Call the attorney general they will help you. look in to the road worthy law. Did they issue you a new plate?
http://www.palawhelp.org/resource/buying-or-repairing-a-car

[stanggt94]

30 days state of PA law most don't no this. do it in civil court he will be returned his money. I got screwed because they got to pay me pay 50 a month until he reached my 1500 but then bounced a check on me 2 months into it and was ordered to pay in full. There is no such law in state of pa you have 30 days to return a vehicle from any independent seller Or dealer . I would not go and do this to anyone who sold me a used car that maybe things broke a couple days later. But when you ban aid something to screw someone intentionally then f@!k em. You can contact your local magistrate or hire a attorney either way you will win as long as it's in the 30 days that you file . Most will argue with this. But I heard it with my own ears while I stood in court and got my money back

[Cam99]

I worked in car sales for several years. you can not just bring a car back to a dealer and get a refund. The 30 day return law in PA gets thrown around all the time, but there are restrictions on what it pertains to. Once you sign a contract AND TAKE DELIVERY of a used car in the state of PA you are bound by what warranty coverage is stated on the contract. "As-IS' means just that. That's why dealers are so insistant on a person driving a car out of the lot. Signing a contract isn't valid until you drive it off the lot. Once you do that you have taken delivery and it's all yours. Some states have a 2-3 day return policy that you can pay for and be able to return cars, but PA isn't one of them. Not saying that you can't hire an lawyer and take the dealer to court, you may get some award you may not, but that will be your only course of action unless the dealer steps up and makes the car right. Good luck

[went9s]

I worked in car sales for several years. you can not just bring a car back to a dealer and get a refund. The 30 day return law in PA gets thrown around all the time, but there are restrictions on what it pertains to. Once you sign a contract AND TAKE DELIVERY of a used car in the state of PA you are bound by what warranty coverage is stated on the contract. "As-IS' means just that. That's why dealers are so insistant on a person driving a car out of the lot. Signing a contract isn't valid until you drive it off the lot. Once you do that you have taken delivery and it's all yours. Some states have a 2-3 day return policy that you can pay for and be able to return cars, but PA isn't one of them. Not saying that you can't hire an lawyer and take the dealer to court, you may get some award you may not, but that will be your only course of action unless the dealer steps up and makes the car right. Good luck

I'm guessing you haven't work in the field for a wile.
Make the call like I stated earlier. Also who was the dealer?

[PSPstang]

If it's the dealership across from sheetz with all the high end cars they get a lot of A n L's cast offs they won't sell on thier lot.

Whenever I traded in my wife's 06 3 series with 80k some miles that's where it went.

I love bmw's and the wife bought her 11 3 series new but I would never ever buy a high mile used one.
You'll go broke working on it. Great cars but it seems like they design them so the normal person can't work on them.

[Cam99]

The link you posted even states that there is no return policy or lemon laws for used vehicles. roadworthy law doesn't apply to a vehicle thats has a bunch of non essential things that are wrong or doesn't start. safety is what that applies to, not function. Not saying you can't file a civil lawsuit and try to get some money back, but that is up to the judge or magistrate to decide. I guess what we agree on is this. lawyer up.

[95V6]

Screwed.

[Maxpowers]

The link you posted even states that there is no return policy or lemon laws for used vehicles. roadworthy law doesn't apply to a vehicle thats has a bunch of non essential things that are wrong or doesn't start. safety is what that applies to, not function. Not saying you can't file a civil lawsuit and try to get some money back, but that is up to the judge or magistrate to decide. I guess what we agree on is this. lawyer up.

I agree. Take it back and see what they say. May save yourself a huge hassle if they're willing to pay for half. That's probably the most you'll get in court.

[karnutz4]

I have worked in auto sales for the past 15 years, There is no retuning a new or used vehical,unless the vehical was delivered on sunday or the papers were signed in the buyers home,or should we just say off the dealers property. I have experienced some "buyers remorse" over the years and sometimes if there is money or trade title due to complete the deal have we ever 'worked" with the custromer. Sometimes its just dealer discretion on working with a problem car to satisfy the buyer. This is also why my dealership will not allow credit card purchases or down payments because the card holder has 30 days to dispute the purchase ! The seller of this X3 sounds to me like he didnt even do a safety check on it , we atleast do that on anything we sell as -is !!! good luck I wish you the best.

[89stang]

I returned a caravan after buying it on a Saturday and it being in the shop on that Monday and than back on Wednesday and than returned on Friday! I lost out on the taxes I payed since it is done electronically. It was at Hamilton Buick on rt 30. The managers got into an argument over it but since I got another car from them they let me do it. It was not easy but when my wife went crazy they got the picture! It is worth a try. Maby try to just trade it back to them for something else. But get it checked out at A& L first!!!!

[u1arunit]

If you need any help at A&L let me know. I'm good friends with the General Manager.

[NateSVT]

Thanks for the replies guys. On Monday the stealership said they were going to tow the car to the shop to repair it, they still haven't got it. My dad is going to try and get his money back now, thanks for all the info.


This would have been perfect if it was the "Pittsburgh Lemon Law".

Philadelphia Lemon Law
If you live in Philadelphia and purchase a used car there you are covered under the Philadelphia Used Car Lemon Law. Under this law a used car purchaser has up to 72 hours from the time he or she purchases the used car to have it inspected by a mechanic. If a major structural defect is found or the car is unable to pass safety or emissions inspections the buyer can either return it for repair or get a full refund so long as the car is returned within 72 hours from the time it was purchased.




But this might help him out.

Are there any minimum standards that vehicles sold in Pennsylvania must meet?
Pennsylvania law states that every vehicle offered for sale must be roadworthy. It is also illegal for a dealer to sell you a car without informing you of the following problems if the seller knows or should know that they exist:

a cracked or twisted frame
a cracked engine block or head
bad transmission
bad differential
flood damage
the car won't pass state inspection
These rules apply to both new cars and used cars and even to cars that are sold "as is."

[PaxtonShelby]

I had heard that in PA you would have recourse against the dealer for a short period of time, but in Ohio you are on your own. A buddy bought a used Suburban from a dealer in Ohio and the motor blew a week later. He was screwed. I hope things work out for your Dad.

[NateSVT]

My dad told the dealership he wanted to return it so he could buy a new BMW.
Dealership told him they work with A&L BMW and would talk to them.
They took the X3 back and A&L gave my dad a deal on a 2014 X1.
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[John4cam]

That's good to hear.

[Mark Aubele]

Good to hear things worked out Nate.

[gpfarrell]

Happy ending. I'm sure this was very frustrating in the beginning, but it seems to have worked out better than anybody thought it could.