ABA Family Legal Guide

Automobiles

Consumer Protections

Unfair and Deceptive Acts and Practices

The dealer told me the car was "a great little runabout." It's had to have several repairs in the months since I bought it, so can I sue the seller for making a misleading statement?

The seller is, obviously, trying to sell you a car, so it is inevitable that he or she is going to attempt to talk up the car. Many general statements that the seller makes are mere puffery or bluster, and you should take everything the seller says with a pinch of salt. Sales talk probably doesn't amount to misleading or deceptive conduct.