First I would call Carfax. If the Carfax report was wrong, they do have a buy back guarantee if you register the car (see their website). If the dealer is a subscriber to Carfax, they may have a guarantee from them for the car. I'd start with Carfax. I'd also see if a current Carfax matches the one you were given. if the dealer gave you an old one, or modified one, then you have a lot to work with. If the Carfax is clean now, and Carfax will not help you, I'd contact an attorney and see what it would cost to go after the dealer anyway. They are the professionals and did know, or should have known, that the car was damaged. In this day and age it's just to easy to tell when a car has had work done. A dealer the size of Acura of Seattle must have a paint check device that can tell someone in 2 mins if the car has had paintwork. I cannot image a large dealer like that not having that simple tool to make sure THEY don't get screwed. I suspect they knew and saw this as an opportunity to buy a wrecked car cheap and sell it at a premium.

Good luck.

 

I hate to say -this is no dream world. It's used car, with cosmetic damage, not structural, not unsafe to drive, with clear title and carfax. She bought it 'as is'.....really chances are slim that they will do anything for the buyer...they knew exactly what they were selling...
I was wholesaling a car to them once....they've checked everything(literally)...then after the used car manager (middle eastern gentelman) try to lowball me i've sold my car to Acura of Five for $1200 more.

 

Yeah, more than likely it's not a good outcome. Again, go to the dealership first and talk to the sales manager, then try the owner. They may be more helpful than you think.

Sounds like the carfax buy back thing is the next best route.

Car dealerships can be a real pain... when they're selling you a damaged car, they'll tell you its no big deal (if they even tell you)... when you try and trade your car in they'll tell you all the reasons why no one will buy it and how it's worth nothing. lol

 

good news! acura of seattle lived up to there name and agree'd to take the car back and give her another car as long as its from there dealership... thank you everyone for the input/thoughts/advice!

-kenny

 

Great! Good to hear that the issue is resolved with the dealership.

 

congratulations

 

I hope she doesnt get a new Acura, those things are ugly!

Hopefully she finds a car that she likes, Acura of Seattle always has nice selection of used cars on their lot.

 

This is why CarFax is not to be trusted. It only can tell you that no damage has been reported. If the damage was not reported to police or insurance you will get a false clear report. I ran into this with a GT3 that was carfax cleared but did not pass a PPI from Queen City.. Best to go to the dealer and see what they are willing to do. NEVER buy a car without an independent PPI.