You found the perfect car. The price seemed fair, the dealer seemed trustworthy, and you were told it had a clean history. You signed the papers, drove away, and thought the deal was done.
But weeks later, you discovered something shocking—a past accident, flood damage, or even a salvage title the dealer never mentioned. Now you’re wondering: can a dealership get away with lying about a car’s history?
The short answer is no—but only if you take action. Auto dealer fraud happens more often than most buyers realize, and unless you know your rights, dishonest dealers can and do get away with it.
When a “Clean History” Isn’t So Clean
Many dealerships promote used cars as “accident-free” or “one-owner vehicles.” But sometimes those claims don’t match reality. Some dealers fail to disclose serious accidents, odometer rollbacks, or major repairs. Others sell vehicles with salvage or rebuilt titles while presenting them as spotless.
If the dealer knew about the car’s history and hid it from you—or lied about it when you asked—that’s not just unethical. It’s fraudulent misrepresentation, and it’s illegal under both California law and federal consumer protection laws.
What the Law Says About Dealer Misrepresentation
California law requires dealerships to disclose specific types of damage before selling a vehicle. Under the Vehicle Code, dealers must disclose material damage—which includes damage exceeding 10% of the vehicle’s manufacturer’s suggested retail price, damage to the frame or drivetrain, damage from vehicle theft, or suspension damage requiring more than just wheel balancing or alignment.
While dealers aren’t required to volunteer every detail about a car’s accident history, they absolutely cannot lie about it. If you ask about prior accidents and the dealer says the car has never been in one, that false statement gives you legal grounds to fight back. When dealerships fail to disclose material facts about a vehicle, they can be held liable for fraud.
The same goes for odometer tampering. Both federal law (the Federal Truth in Mileage Act) and California law make it a crime to roll back, disconnect, or misrepresent a vehicle’s mileage. If the dealer knew the odometer was tampered with or the title was branded, they had a legal duty to tell you.
How to Check if a Dealer Lied About a Car’s History
You don’t need to be a mechanic to uncover the truth. Start by running your vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) through services like Carfax or AutoCheck. While these reports aren’t perfect, they can reveal accidents, title issues, or odometer discrepancies the dealer never mentioned.
You can also look up maintenance records, state inspection reports, or hire a mechanic to perform a full diagnostic inspection. And don’t forget to keep copies of every ad, email, and text message from the dealer—these can help prove what you were told and what was conveniently left out.
What You Can Do If a Dealer Lied
If you’ve discovered that your dealer lied about a car’s history, don’t panic—but don’t ignore it either. Time matters in these cases.
Start by documenting everything: your contract, the car’s history report, and any written or recorded communication with the dealership. Then contact a consumer protection attorney who specializes in auto fraud cases. An experienced lawyer can identify violations of consumer protection laws, negotiate with the dealership, file a legal claim if necessary, and help you recover your money or cancel the sale.
Dealers count on most buyers not knowing their rights. The moment you seek legal help, the balance shifts back in your favor.
Can a Dealership Really Get Away With It?
They can try—but they rarely do when the buyer fights back. Car dealerships are held to strict disclosure laws for a reason. If a dealer lies, covers up damage, or manipulates paperwork, they can face serious legal consequences, including fines, loss of license, and civil lawsuits.
The reality is simple: a dishonest dealer can only get away with it if you let them. With the right help, you can expose the truth and protect yourself from further harm.
Don’t Let the Dealer Get Away With It
If you believe a dealership lied about your car’s history, you don’t have to deal with it alone. The law is on your side.
Consumer Action Law Group offers free consultations to review your case. Our team of experienced consumer attorneys can examine your paperwork and help you hold the dealership accountable.
Call (818) 254-8413 today for a free case review. You deserve honesty, transparency, and the car you were promised. Don’t let a dishonest dealer take that away.
