LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
As Americans, we take great pride in our cars and value the independence they provide to us; however, attorneys who work in the Langley Legal Office see numerous clients who find themselves trapped by a used-car purchase.
Car dealerships are commercial enterprises whose goal is to make a sale. They use a variety of active and passive techniques to increase the likelihood that you will buy and the amount of your purchase.
Typically, you will be pressured to make the purchase immediately - do not give into this pressure! Knowing your parameters and the pressures you will face ahead of time to make a wise decision.
Common Problem: I bought a used car, and now, it has major mechanical issues.
The car already has wear and tear, so you should expect it to have mechanical issues as all cars do. The car dealer should have been honest about the car's condition, but enforcing this is difficult. Most used cars are sold "as is," meaning they come with no express warranty. Sometimes, dealers sell used cars with a "limited warranty," meaning they are for a limited duration and only cover certain types of repairs. Make sure you carefully read the warranty terms. Often the warranty requires the dealer to make any repairs and becomes ineffective if the mechanical failure is because of a driver error.
Solution: Before you sign to purchase a car, have your mechanic inspect it for major issues. If the car dealer is unwilling to let you do this, take that as a sign to look elsewhere.
Common Problem: I financed the purchase of a car, and now, I can no longer afford it.
Some dealerships make a profit by getting customers to pay more than the car is worth by "providing" financing that rolls into the "deal" old debt, fees, add-ons, and the payment for the car. This can create a monthly payment that is higher than initially proposed.
Solution: Before you go to the dealership, contact your bank and find out about getting a car loan. If you get the loan ahead of time, you can pay the dealer in cash. Most of the time, getting financing on your own is going to be a better deal than getting it through a dealership. If your finances or other debt is such that you cannot get a quality loan ahead of time, then it is probably best to consider waiting until you are financially ready to purchase a car.
Also, each time an offer of financing is made, you should receive a copy of the Truth in Lending Act disclosures. This information shows the sale price, the total amount being financed, the number of payments to be made, and the total amount to be paid during the life of the loans. As a potential customer, you are allowed to take that document home with you. Despite any pressure to make a deal, I would encourage you to take the disclosure home with you. Study it, sleep on it, talk to the Airman and Family Readiness Center personnel, and talk to a legal assistance attorney.
Because a used car purchase is a contract, and often accompanied by a financing contract, it is difficult in legal assistance to help someone after they have already agreed to purchase and finance a car. The best solution is to carefully consider the condition of the car and the state of your finances and then talk to legal and financial counselors before you sign.
Every situation is unique and you should speak with a Legal Assistance Attorney at the Legal Office, and with the financial counselors at the Airman Family and Readiness Center, before you make a purchase.