Man angered over used car drove it into a dealership after his return was denied. Here’s how to avoid buying a ‘lemon’
When Michael Murray bought a car on sale from a local Mazda dealership, he knew the vehicle may have had big problems. But after Murray wasn’t able to return the car and get his money back, his legal problems quickly became much bigger.
Murray, who was reportedly on a tight budget, bought the car from the Tim Dahle Mazda Southtowne dealership in Utah. The staff reportedly informed Murray that the vehicle, a Subaru, had not been inspected and was going to be sold at the wholesale market. Murray ended up buying the car “as is.”
“We were very clear about the fact that this car is not retail,” Tyler Slade, a platform manager at the dealership, shared with Fox 13 Salt Lake City. “It’s gonna need more inspecting and some work.”
The buyer’s remorse kicked in quickly. Later that day, Murray called the dealership to report mechanical issues with the vehicle and requested his money back, but he was told that wouldn’t be possible based on the terms of the sale.
An angry Murray then said he was going to drive the car through the dealership window if his return was rejected, and he proceeded to do just that, causing $10,000 in damage to the dealership. Fortunately, no one was hurt during the incident, and Murray ended up being charged with a variety of offenses. For Murray, however, his extreme reaction is likely going to cost him much more than car repairs would have.
There are certainly better ways of handling such a situation, and we’ve all made purchases that we eventually regret. Here’s how Murray ended up in this predicament, and how you can avoid finding yourself in a similar situation.
According to Slade, Murray was well aware that the car hadn’t been inspected and could potentially have issues. Murray, however, was reportedly angered that he had bought a lemon — a term for a car with significant defects or malfunctions — and that certain mechanical issues with the car hadn’t been disclosed during the purchase.
But Murray purchased the vehicle “as is,” which means there was no warranty or guarantee attached to the sale. Dealerships are required by law to disclose any significant issues associated with a car that’s for sale, but a car sold “as is” means any defects or flaws discovered after the car is sold will become the responsibility of the buyer.
When Murray drove the car off the lot, all of the car’s pre-existing issues became his problem to solve. It seems clear, however, that Murray didn’t quite understand the terms of the sale and felt duped when the purchase was finalized.
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When purchasing a new car, the buyer is guaranteed certain protections under the law. A warranty, for example, legally requires a dealership to repair anything listed in a sold vehicle’s warranty coverage. There are also “lemon laws” in certain states throughout the U.S. that entitle the buyer to a full refund at the purchase price, or a replacement vehicle, if a used car turns out to have serious problems.
But lemon laws don’t apply to all used vehicle sales, and while dealerships often include a warranty in the sale of a used vehicle, not every used car comes with the security of a warranty.
In Murray’s case, he was reportedly aware that a warranty was not included in his purchase and decided to roll the dice with a car sold “as is.” In order to avoid making the same mistake, there are a few things you may want to look into before purchasing a used vehicle:
Buy from a reputable dealership: Do some homework on the dealership before finalizing the purchase. Look for online reviews on the dealership to get a sense of how pleased its customers typically are once they drive a used car off the lot.
Purchase a used car that comes with a warranty: While a used car’s warranty might not last as long as that of a new car, it’ll ensure that the dealership will take care of any major issues while the warranty is active.
Get a mechanic to check out the car: This might not always be doable, but a second set of experienced eyes could help you make a safe decision on your used car purchase.
Completely understand the terms of the transaction: This is especially important if you are buying a used car that’s being sold “as is.”
In Murray’s case, he didn’t do at least one of the tasks listed above. And though he may believe the dealership failed to disclose mechanical issues with his car, Murray quite obviously responded in a terrible manner.
He could have continued to speak with the dealership and come to some sort of agreement; Fox 13 reports the dealership did eventually offer Murray his money back, or a replacement vehicle, before Murray drove his car through the dealership’s showroom. Murray could have also pursued legal action — ideally with a lawyer but potentially on his own in small claims court.
Murray’s response, however, was dangerous, illegal and extremely ill advised. His experience should serve as a cautionary tale for those looking to buy a used car on a budget.
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Alisha Hunter is a news writer for Credence Advisors-News. She's been writing for over a decade, and she has taught herself all the skills she needs to be successful in this role.
Alisha has written about everything from technology to fashion; she's even written an advice column for brides-to-be!
Alisha loves reading books and watching movies - she's currently working on a book club with her friends where they read one book each month together!
