In the underlying class action, Mr. Martinez alleges Santa Maria Ford and Wells Fargo Dealer Services violated the Automobile Sales Finance Act by failing to separately disclose fees on purchase
contracts, and labeling fees as “not applicable” when in fact the customer was charged for the fees.  The proposed class covers all persons who purchased vehicles from Santa Maria Ford between May 26, 2006, and May 26, 2010.

For more information on this, or any of Rosner, Barry & Babbitt, LLP’s class action lawsuits against car dealerships and financial institutions, contact Hawk Barry or Angela Smith at 800-466-5366.

10. Is this the original paint? — New paint could indicate car was rusting or involved in a previous accident.

9. Can I check the oil? — An “earmark for trouble with a used car,” Jalopnik says, look for water, fuel, or foam in the oil.

8. Can you put this on the lift? — This will allow you to check for leaks or rust, but furthermore, you know there is something amiss if the dealer will not let you do this.

7. Why are you selling it? — It is “a question that openly invites the seller to lie to you,” Jalopnik says, but it will still put the seller on the spot.

6. Who was the previous owner? — The more you know about the history of the vehicle, the more comfortable you will be. You can also learn a lot from how a dealer reacts if you ask for a phone number of the previous owner.

5. Do you have the title in hand? — An important issue that can cause larger problems later if overlooked.

4. Can I take it for a test drive? — One of the most telling parts of the process, you should most certainly walk away if the seller refuses.

3. Can I see the Carfax? — Or at least see some similar type of vehicle history report, and be sure you have obtained the right VIN number to avoid a mix-and-match.

2. Can I see the maintenance history? — While you should not expect to see an complete service record history, insufficient information from the seller here will probably affect your decision on whether or not to purchase the vehicle.

1. Can I take this to my mechanic? — This is essentially a must. A refusal from the seller should equate to a refusal to give any further thought toward purchasing the vehicle.

Many instances of auto dealership fraud involve sellers taking advantage of consumers who do not perform due diligence beforehand. If you believe that a car dealer violated California lemon law in your last purchase or you need help getting out of a car contract, contact our office today to set up a free consultation with one of our California lemon law lawyers.

Rosner, Barry & Babbitt, LLP — California lemon law attorneys

According to Crain’s, the suits stem from an investigation of the global wire harness business that began in 2010, with the U.S. Department of Justice and officials from the European Union and Japan being involved in the investigations. The Justice Department hit Furukawa with a $200 million fine, and Crain’s said three of its executives are scheduled to plead guilty for their role in alleged global price-fixing scheme. The Federal Bureau of Investigation raided several suppliers in its antitrust investigation, but the company’s North American subsidiary, American Furukawa, took the first blow as a result of the 20-month investigation.

We have posted before how price fixing creates profit for some companies by ultimately driving up the cost for the consumer. The cost of the wire harness in your vehicle is certainly not a common form of auto dealership fraud, but antitrust laws are supposed to protect Americans from price fixing between manufacturers and retailers. State and federal laws are in place to make sure you are not deceived in your car purchase, and if you believe that a dealership violated California lemon law, contact our California lemon law attorneys today to get a free evaluation of your case.

Rosner, Barry & Babbitt, LLP — California lemon law lawyers