Some dealers sell cars with undisclosed accident damage, prior rental or taxi use, or flood history—even when the title appears clean. These problems often show up only in a Carfax, AutoCheck, or other vehicle history report.
Under California law, dealers must disclose any material facts that could affect a buyer’s decision, whether or not the title is branded. This includes:
- Accident or frame damage
- Flood or water damage
- Former commercial use (taxi, rideshare, rental, police)
- Odometer rollback or “not actual mileage”
- Out-of-state history showing prior title branding
Failing to disclose this information can violate the Consumer Legal Remedies Act (CLRA), Vehicle Code §11713, and California’s Unfair Competition Law. Victims may be entitled to rescission (canceling the sale), a refund, and additional damages.
If you purchased a vehicle and later discovered serious history in a vehicle report that your dealer never mentioned, you may have a dealer fraud claim—even if the California title is “clean.”
Contact our California auto fraud attorney for a free consultation.
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