I bought a used car in Ohio on april 7 and has had 5 major things go wrong with it...

**Marebear** · 04-18-2009, 06:26 PM

...& worked for 3 days!? Bought a car on April 7,2009. The car ran for 2 days when the Serpentine belt kept coming off. We found out the pulley that the Serpentine belt runs on was broke and we were told the pulley was put on there like that.We replaced that. Then we also found out the gas gage was broke and was reading wrong. Then the brakes went out on us completely while on the highway with our children. It's the master cylinder. While on the way to replace that the water pump exploded and the car started over heating bad. It has been one thing after another. The car has been drivable for 2 1/2 days since we got it. It was sold as is but, we were told that the man that sold it to us had to have known about these things. Are they able to sell you a car that's unsafe like this? What can i do? I can't afford to fix much more. Really couldn't afford to fix what i have already. -Marebear.

04-18-2009, 06:27 PM

Legally, the burden lies with the buyer to make sure the car is fit for driving before a sale occurs.

You "could" sue the buyer, but you'd have to prove that he/she knew about the issues beforehand and either mislead you (by stating in writing that the vehicle had no issues) or kept these from you intentionally. Very, very difficult to prove. The judge will (in 95% of these cases) ask if you signed anything that stated any kind of warranty or guarantee on the car. You'll say, "No". Case will be over.

"we were told that the man that sold it to us had to have known about these things" - This is hearsay and opinion. Not admissible in court.

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but you're stuck with the car. You can try to work something out with the seller (probably won't happen), but legally they can tell you to "buzz off".

**Kowalski** · 04-18-2009, 06:30 PM

When the guy knows about those problems then he will sell it as is. That is the point of "as is".You should have had a mechanic of your choice to look over the car BEFORE you made the deal.
You drove an "as is" car on the highway with children in it without having it safetied first! You are the one who is grossly negligent!

04-18-2009, 06:47 PM

You are SOL.

It was sold "As Is". This is why you always have someone you trust check out used cars before you buy. Its well worth the little bit of money to make sure it checks out. Also it helps to look into the dealer you might buy from. Most have a reputation good or bad that will tell you a little bit more about them.

04-18-2009, 06:56 PM

There is no action you can take. You bought the car "as is." Whoever sold you the car has no legal responsibility to do anything for you because you bought it "as is." Sorry for the bad luck