Dealers Repainting New Cars

[Dalight]

Is it illegal for dealers to repaint damaged sections on a new car and not disclosing to the purchaser?



As my wife's Taurus has begun aging, we've noticed that the left rear door is a few shades lighter than the rest of the car. :|

 

[Deanski]

Check with your states Attorney General. That's the only straight answer!



Regards,

Deanski

 

[LouisanaJeeper]

illegal? i dont know



right? definately not cool

 

[Ramolap]

I would hate to buy a used car with re-painted panels. You never know what kind of thing the previous owner got into.

 

[Dalight]

illegal? i dont know



right? definately not cool

I had the feeling it's unethical. We weren't planning to buy another Ford anyway (unless I can convince her we need a Cobra or Saleen), but we certainly wouldn't buy from this dealer.

 

[groebuck]

if it was to repair a factory defect then they don't have to tell you (at least I don't think so) if it was damage to the car that required body work (like someone test drove it and got in a crash, or it was damaged in transport) then I don't think they can sell it as new, or at least have to disclose that type of work took place....

 

[Setec Astronomy]

I believe a Federal lemon law was passed requiring a new car which has shipping damage in excess of a certain dollar threshold (I think it was $2000) can't be sold as new...don't know about the test drive/wreck scenario.



Years ago my mother ordered a new car, and I used to drive by the dealer every night to see if it was in. So one night--there it is! With huge dents in the hood! I went over there first thing the next morning, and they said that it hadn't been chained down tight enough on the carrier--they wanted to put a new hood on and paint it. I said no way, I wanted the factory baked paint (this was in 1988 when body shops didn't have bake ovens), so they then wanted to swap hoods with another car of the same color that they had on the lot. Fortunately, the color didn't match, so they ordered another car for her, but I am *so* sure if I hadn't seen the damage, they would have just said "it's not in yet" and repainted it real quick.