Auto Fraud – Warranties and Repossessions

South Carolina Legal Services attorney Susan Ingles talks about auto fraud for National Consumer Protection Week 2020. She discusses "hot topics" in auto fraud, including warranties, lemons, yo-yo sales, and repossessions. Whether you are buying a car, financing a car, having your car repossessed, or being sued over your vehicle, you have protections under federal and state laws.

Warranties: There are different kinds of warranties, some that come with the car and some that you purchase. When you buy a car as is, it is important to consider whether it is coming with a warranty or not, which it usually does not.

Lemons: SC has a specific Lemon Law that applies to new cars only. S.C. law defines a lemon as a new motor vehicle (passenger car, van or truck) that has a defect that impairs its use or will lower its market value substantially; and which the manufacturer cannot repair within a reasonable time. Defects which substantially impair the vehicle's use, market value and safety. Not covered are defects caused by the consumer's abuse, neglect or unauthorized alteration of the car, or defects that do not show within the first 12,000 miles or 12 months, whichever occurs first.Yo-yo Sales: A yo-yo sale happens when a dealer sells you a car and provides financing, but then tries to bring you back and charge a higher interest rate for the car.

Repossessions: You have rights when your car is repossessed. Many times repossessions are wrongful. For example, the lender may repossess because they think you don't have liability insurance when you actually do have liability insurance.

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