Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Disclosing Flood Damage
Although Pennsylvania’s Lemon Law doesn’t cover used cars, consumers are still protected by the state’s Automotive Industry Trade Practices law, which makes it unlawful to sell used vehicles without disclosing certain types of damage to buyers. This includes flood damage, so if you recently purchased a used vehicle and later discovered that it had… Read More »
Disclosing Engine Block Issues
Although used auto dealers do not have to disclose all of a vehicle’s problems to potential buyers, they are required to notify them of certain types of issues. For instance, if a car’s frame is bent or broken and a dealer knows about the problem, he or she must notify the buyer or risk… Read More »
What is Used Car Fraud?
The term “auto dealer fraud” describes the unlawful and deceptive practices employed by auto dealers and includes everything from false advertising to failing to disclose important information about a vehicle. Although any type of car dealer could be involved in some sort of unlawful marketing practice, this type of conduct is especially common amongst… Read More »
Used Car Dealers and Selling Vehicles “As Is”
In prior decades, many used car dealers used the phrase “as is” to justify the sale of defective or damaged vehicles to consumers, who when they later discovered their car’s issues, could not pursue a claim against the dealer who stated that the buyer had been forewarned that they may be buying a car… Read More »
The Most Common Used Car Buying Scams
Although purchasing a used car can save buyers a significant amount of money, it also comes with a host of unique problems. For instance, whether a buyer is dealing with a private party or a used car dealership, he or she could be at risk of being scammed. Purchasers can help protect themselves from… Read More »
Used Car Dealers Allowed to Sell Recalled Vehicles
The FTC recently came under fire for a series of decisions in which it stated that used car dealers were permitted to advertise vehicles with open recalls as being safe to drive. Although the FTC is facing potential lawsuits over the issue, the fact remains that used car dealers are still permitted to sell… Read More »
Title Fraud Basics
When we purchase a vehicle, whether new or used, we receive its title, which is a legal document issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles that lists the car’s make, and VIN, as well as the names of any past owners. Unfortunately, some used car dealers alter these documents to misrepresent the condition of… Read More »
Pennsylvania Used Car Inspection Requirements
In Pennsylvania, used car dealers are required to conduct thorough inspections of all of their vehicles prior to sale. While some dealers strictly adhere to these rules, others are not so conscientious or law abiding and sell vehicles despite knowing that they wouldn’t pass inspection or after falsely claiming that inspections have been conducted…. Read More »
Auto Dealership Fraud: Add-on Products
For many years the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) focused its anti-fraud efforts on car dealerships that used deceptive advertising. However, recently the agency has broadened its enforcement to include auto loan application fraud and add-on products and services. To find out more about these and other types of dealership-related fraud, you should speak with… Read More »
What Is a Tax Sale of a Pennsylvania House?
All homeowners are familiar with property taxes because they are an unavoidable aspect of home ownership. Some homeowners chose to incorporate the cost of their property taxes into their mortgage payment and have the bank make the tax payment, while others prefer to make the annual payments themselves. However the payments are made, it… Read More »
