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[MI] Can you sue a private car seller who knowingly hid a costly repair?
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Purchased a vehicle in March 2026 from a private seller who lied about its condition. Learned after taking possession of the car that the seller tampered with it to get it running. When we took it to the same mechanic the seller used, we learned the seller had been told a week prior of a very expensive repair. Instead of making the repair, he sold it to us and said it was in good running order. We have written documentation from the mechanic showing the seller knew of the issue before he sold it to us. We want the seller to pay for the repair.
I'm sorry to hear about your experience with the vehicle purchase; that sounds very frustrating. Can you tell me if you have already attempted to contact the seller regarding this issue?
We have not. We have a demand letter ready to send.
Have you kept any records of your communications with the seller or any documentation related to the sale?
Yes, we have documentation from the mechanic stating he told the seller a week prior of the wiring issues, and the seller did not disclose the issue to us.
Is there anything else the Consumer Protection Lawyer should know before I connect you? Rest assured they'll be able to help with your vehicle issue.
No.
Hi there! Welcome to our service. My name is Liz, and I've been an attorney for more than a decade, and I am here to assist with your legal concerns. Just so you are aware, our service is a legal information-only site. No attorney-client relationship is formed from our conversation. So I can best help, in what state did you purchase?
Michigan.
Thank you for sharing that. With the seller, since you have the demand, do you have all of their contact information?
Yes.
Great, thanks for confirming that. Could I ask, how much was the vehicle?
Purchased a 2010 Honda Odyssey for $6,000. Learned that replacing the wiring components will cost $7,000. This is necessary to make the vehicle roadworthy (exterior lights won't work).
If the seller knowingly misrepresented the condition of the vehicle, this could be considered fraudulent misrepresentation. This occurs when a seller makes a false statement about a material fact, intending for the buyer to rely on it, and the buyer does rely on it to their detriment. A seller's statement of fact about the goods, such as saying a vehicle is in good running order, can also create an express warranty under MCL 440.2313 that the vehicle will conform to that statement. Under Michigan law, when a vehicle is sold, there is an implied warranty (MCL-440-2314) that it is fit for the ordinary purposes for which such goods are used. If the vehicle was not in good running order as claimed, this warranty may have been breached. Because it was $6,000, you could use small claims. It's good for up to $7,000, so you could seek the cost of the vehicle or the cost of the repair, although usually the court will award the cost of the vehicle since the repairs are more.
If we seek the cost of the vehicle, do we need to return the vehicle? We've already spent $2,500 in repairs and have more planned to finish the project.
If you seek the cost of the vehicle in a legal claim, you may be required to return the vehicle to the seller. However, since you've already invested $2,500 in repairs, this could complicate the situation. You could also negotiate a settlement with the seller to keep it and be paid.
Okay, thank you.
You're very welcome.
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