>California law states any damage over $750. be reported.

You are required to report the accident to DMV if the accident caused $500 or
more in damage. So, even if your car suffered zero damage, you must still
report it if the other party suffers $500 in damages.

As far as I know, DMV does not keep record of damages to each car and how much.
They do keep track of your accidents and who was at fault for insurance and
other purposes.

This car came
>back unreported which tells me daughter got in a fender bender and they
>bought aftermarket parts of the wrong year to replace some of them and
>repaired the damage without a report to the state. (I'm guessing the
>bumper and grill are the two '98 parts.)

Could've been one of those "lets keep this between us" accidents, where they
don't report it to keep insurance costs down.

>
>Do I contemplate some action, done very easily as there's lawyers in
>immediate family, or do I suck up the experience and realize my son's
>got a really nice looking and now mechanically sound car for a decent
>price? ($7500, + $600 in maintenance/repair, $160. taillight, $50.
>mats. = $8300.)

You have a case, if you asked "was it in an accident?" and they flat out lied.
If you didn't ask, then it's your fault.

>
>Oh, they didn't give us the smog certificate that's required by law,
>either.
>Novices that we are, failed to ask for it too. (-$68.)

Well, in CA, everytime you transfer title, the new owner is REQUIRED to get it
smogged again. Doesn't matter if the previous owner had it smogged only few
months ago.

You do not need a smog "certificate" to register the car, since its done
electronically and DMV has a record whenever its smogged.

>Buyer beware? Or grounds for reimbursement to right the car with '99
>parts, a bumper and grill? I'm looking for an ethical perspective before
>talking to legal.
>

Obviously, it looked OK before you handed them your money, so why are you
making a big stink about it now. $7500 is a pretty good price for the car with
such low mileage. Now, if the frame is bent or a catastrophe happens due to the
less than professional body work, then you have a case.

Just to be safe, check www.carfax.com. If there are any red flags on there, I'd
ask for my money back.


-=-
I smell....

..... therefore, you stink.
-=-