curious314159@yahoo.com wrote:
> I just bought a brand new 06 Civic. When I took
> the car home I noticed a slight warping on the right
> side panel where bumper meets the body.
>
> I contacted the dealer and sent him photos the
> next morning. He called and said he checked his
> computer records and didn't find any indication of a possible lot
> damage/repairs.
>
> I replied, in writing, acknowledging his not finding
> any repair records prior to sale and that we were worried
> about safety features working properly and would
> always like to be informed of possible prior damage/repairs.
>
> The next morning, I got a call, that he had checked
> again -- this time with the "service" department and
> had INDEED found that there was lot repair/damage
> that involved replacing the bumper and a paint job
> and he was going to find out more about when at work.
>
> So at the end, we were sold a NEW car, that was damaged
> and repaired (with visible signs remaining) prior to sale and
> we were not disclosed this info until later. I would NEVER
> have bought this car had I known about this possibility.
>
> What are my rights as a consumer here? Repair is not an
> option for us since we bought a new car just so we can
> have a car we were sure had no prior damage! Can this be
> sufficient grounds for demanding an exchange (I only
> had the car for 2 days). The evidence is there, and acknowledged
> by the dealer. I know Honda is very meticulous about
> dealers delivering cars in good shape. Would I be better
> off going through Honda and not the dealer? We are at a
> loss as to what to do now. Any advice would be greatly
> appreciated!

Your specific rights will vary depending on the jurisdiction you're in,
but I'd think any reputable dealer would offer an exchange immediately,
especially after discovering that they DID know about AND HAVE A RECORD
OF the damage and repair. The fact that it was damaged, repaired, and
then put on the lot and sold as new without any OBVIOUS indication of
the damage (note on the sales sticker or at least on the paperwork)
should be reason enough for an investigation by the BBB or any number of
Auto Dealers associations.

I'd go back to the dealership right away and ask THE MANAGER (not the
salesman) to replace the car with a new one immediately... if they get
snotty about it, I'd INSIST on a replacement immediately ("You WILL
exchange this!" rather than "Could you exchange this?"), and threaten
legal action... but again, if they're a halfway-reputable dealer, that
shouldn't be necessary.


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