San Diego

Some dealers hide or lie about a car’s accident history. They may say a car is “clean” when it’s been in a major crash.

Accident damage affects how safe a car is and how much it’s worth. Hidden damage often leads to costly repairs and poor performance.

A car with a salvage title was once declared a total loss. Some dealers hide this to make the car seem newer or safer than it is. Salvage cars often have hidden problems, are harder to insure, and lose value quickly.

Cars used for rentals or rideshare services (like Uber or Lyft) usually have more wear and tear. If a dealer hides this, you may face frequent repairs and lower resale value.

Some dealers use false ads to get you into the showroom. They might promote a low price or special deal, then say that car is “sold” and push you to buy a more expensive one. This bait-and-switch tactic is illegal under California law.

Some dealerships fake signatures, alter contracts, or change odometer readings to trick buyers. This can lead to unexpected debt or ownership problems later.

Dealers sometimes sell cars as “certified pre-owned” when they haven’t been properly inspected. Buyers end up paying extra for cars with hidden mechanical or safety issues.

Loan packing happens when a dealer sneaks extra products or fees into your financing—like service plans or insurance—without explaining them. This increases your monthly payment and total cost.

Dealers must tell you if a car was repurchased by the manufacturer under California’s Lemon Law. If they hide this, it’s fraud. These cars often have repeated defects and can cost you more in repairs.

Frame damage affects a car’s safety and how it drives. Dealers must tell you if a car has had frame damage, but some don’t. Buying one can lead to serious safety risks and costly repairs.

A dealer may include false information in your paperwork—like fake features, missing warranties, or incorrect history details. Any false statement that changes your decision to buy can count as fraud.

Price packing means adding extra products or fees to the price of the car without your clear approval. This makes the car seem cheaper than it really is and leads to higher payments.

Changing a car’s mileage to make it look less used is illegal. Odometer fraud can cause you to overpay for a car that will need repairs sooner than expected.

Some dealers falsify title information to hide accidents, flood damage, or salvage history. Buying a car with a fake or hidden title can cause legal problems or prevent you from registering the car.

Dealers sometimes lie about a car’s warranty, saying it’s still covered or that an extended warranty exists when it doesn’t. This can leave you paying for repairs you thought were covered.

Yo-yo financing happens when a dealer lets you drive off before your loan is final, then calls back later to change the terms or raise the payments. This tactic puts buyers in a tough spot and can even lead to losing the car.