Philadelphia Auto Dealer Fraud Lawyer: We Stand Up For You

Each year, millions of Americans purchase vehicles from dealerships across the country, most completely unaware of the deceptive practices and tactics of many of these bad businesses. Fraud can occur at every level of the sale, from what you were promised about the condition of the car to the financing of the purchase. For many consumers, the truth does not come out until after the sale is finalized and they are financially responsible for the vehicle.

At Bensley Law Offices, we are committed to fighting for these buyers and holding bad dealerships accountable for lies, deceit and fraudulent tactics used to finalize a sale. There are countless ways a dealership can commit fraud against the consumer, from misrepresenting the true history and condition of the car to financing. Call our lawyer today in Philadelphia at 800-254-3497 or contact us online.

Representation Following Unfair Trade, Unfair Trade Practices And Lemon Law

Dealers rely upon auctions for the majority of their vehicle inventory. Anyone experienced in the trade can tell almost instantly if a vehicle has been in a collision or been damaged. Bad dealers seek out these vehicles that they can buy on the cheap and then sell to consumers at an unearned profit.

Even new motor vehicles are often damaged prior to sale. They are damaged in transportation from the factory, on test-drives or just being moved around the lot. Even though the New Motor Vehicle Disclosure Act requires that dealers disclose damage of a certain type – any permanent glass for instance – or a certain amount, they rarely do.

Bad dealers work to give the car buyer a false sense of security in the quality and condition of the car. Many times, the consumer will only find out about the additional flaws or frame damage until after they think it is too late or the car has been damaged further. We probably still can help.

Common Types Of Auto Fraud Issues

Auto fraud often occurs during vehicle sales when dealerships misrepresent or conceal facts about a car’s condition, price or history. Consumers may end up with unsafe vehicles, inflated costs or invalid paperwork without realizing they were misled. These practices can violate Pennsylvania consumer protection laws and victims may have legal claims. The following includes types of auto fraud issues that consumers may run into:

Failure To Disclose Title Brands

This is a serious form of auto fraud where a dealership hides a vehicle’s salvage, flood or lemon law history. The deception leads buyers to pay full price for cars that have been previously declared total losses or structurally compromised. 

Undisclosed Accident History

Some dealerships conceal prior accident damage by cleaning up vehicle reports or avoiding disclosure altogether. These cars may look fine on the surface, but carry hidden structural issues that affect safety, performance and long-term value.

Selling Over The Advertised Price

This happens when dealers promote one price but add undisclosed fees or mandatory add-ons during final paperwork. It is a bait-and-switch tactic that can increase the total cost of the vehicle beyond what was originally advertised.

Undisclosed Mechanical Problems

Dealers may sell vehicles with known mechanical defects without informing the buyer, leading to immediate or early breakdowns after purchase.  Common issues include engine failure, transmission problems and brake defects. These hidden problems often result in expensive repairs and unsafe driving conditions.

Certified Preowned Issues

Certified Preowned (CPO) vehicles are marketed as thoroughly inspected, but some dealerships falsely certify cars without proper checks. Buyers may receive vehicles with prior accidents, mechanical defects or odometer discrepancies despite the “certified” label.

No Title, Registration Or Dealer’s Right To Cancel Contract

Some consumers are sold vehicles without proper title or registration or authentic smog tests, leaving them unable to operate the car legally. In other cases, dealerships improperly attempt to cancel contracts outside the legal timeframe, creating confusion and financial harm for the buyer.

Overcharged Governmental Fees

Overcharged governmental fees occur when dealerships inflate registration, tax or documentation charges beyond what is legally required. These costs are often disguised as mandatory government expenses when they actually include hidden dealer profit.

Undisclosed Rental History

Dealers may fail to disclose that a vehicle was previously used as a rental, even though rental cars experience higher wear and tear. This hidden history can reduce reliability, shorten vehicle lifespan and lower resale value for unsuspecting buyers.

These types of dealership misconduct can cause serious financial harm. Affected buyers may have legal options under Pennsylvania consumer protection laws to pursue compensation and accountability.

Financing Fraud

Bad dealerships often take advantage of buyers as they arrange financing for the vehicle, claiming that they are providing the best interest rates and price possible. They pretend that they are acting as a middleman to the bank or financial institution, working for you. In most cases, the dealer is not only the seller but the creditor. The dealer is financing the purchase. Then the dealer sells the deal to the bank. The dealer will often mark up the financing to make an extra unearned profit.

Contact Our Philadelphia Auto Fraud Attorney Today

To learn more about how an attorney can advocate on your behalf after you have been taken advantage of, please contact our law firm today at toll free at 800-254-3497.