Not all car dealerships operate ethically. Beyond aggressive sales tactics, unwarranted fees, and inflated pricing, some Florida dealerships are facing serious allegations of selling used cars as new, leading to two separate lawsuits.
Shawn Crowley purchased a 2024 Land Cruiser Prado from Sun Toyota. Documents obtained by Carscoops indicated the car's mileage as 10 miles in multiple places, affirming it as new.
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The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado model in the US. Photo: Toyota |
The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado model in the US. Photo: Toyota
However, Crowley stated that less than 48 hours after taking possession, the car's service light illuminated, indicating an oil change was needed. This prompted him to examine the odometer for the first time, revealing a reading of nearly 5,000 miles.
The complaint alleges Sun Toyota offered to "address the excess mileage," claiming a clerical error. Crowley had paid approximately 98,700 USD for the SUV, nearly double the current US market starting price of just over 56,000 USD.
In a separate case, Lilly Althauser-Benson accused Jerry Ulm Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram of selling her a Jeep Wrangler 4Xe under the impression it was brand new. Court documents don't specify the vehicle's mileage at the time of sale, but Althauser-Benson claims the dealership was evasive, preventing her from discovering the vehicle was registered to a rental company.
Why did Althauser-Benson initially believe the car was new? According to her testimony, the factory sticker was still on the window.
The plaintiffs' attorney told AutoNews, "The mileage is not the issue. The title was withheld to prevent the consumer from discovering that the car had been titled to another owner." The lawyer alleges the dealership's deceptive practices violated the Odometer Act.
Enacted in 1972, the Odometer Act is a US law prohibiting tampering with a vehicle's odometer and requiring accurate mileage disclosure during sales. This law protects consumers from fraud by ensuring the odometer reading accurately reflects the vehicle's actual usage.
Both cases offer valuable lessons for car buyers about thorough due diligence. For Crowley, a simple check of the odometer could have prevented the issue. In Althauser-Benson's case, requesting the title, which the dealership should have readily available, would have revealed the problem.
These lawsuits serve as reminders that even seemingly routine transactions can quickly go awry. A few extra minutes of careful scrutiny can prevent a purchase from turning into a legal battle.
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