Dealer Fraud Attorney in Glendale
California Consumer Protection Across the Full Range of Dealership Deception
Buying a vehicle should come with transparency. When a dealership withholds material facts, misrepresents a vehicle’s history, or manipulates financing terms, it violates California consumer protection law and leaves buyers holding the consequences. At Khachikyan Law Firm - Lemon Busters, we represent Glendale consumers harmed by dealer fraud and unfair vehicle sales practices, pursuing every available remedy against the dealership, the manufacturer, or both.
Dealer fraud occurs when a dealership knowingly misrepresents a vehicle, conceals defects, alters information, or withholds facts that would have affected your decision to buy or lease. The deception isn’t always obvious at the point of sale. It often surfaces after repeated repair visits, a vehicle history check, or when financing terms shift days after you drove off the lot.
Our clients pay no fees unless we win. Attorney fees are recovered from the responsible party on a successful case, and you have direct access to an attorney from your first call through resolution. Every case we take gets hands-on attention.
Call our Glendale dealer fraud attorneys at (747) 946-5884 or fill out our online contact form today to learn more about your options.
What Dealer Fraud Looks Like Under California Law
Dealer fraud takes many forms. California law makes several specific practices actionable under statutes including Vehicle Code Section 11713, the California Consumer Legal Remedies Act (CLRA), and the Unfair Competition Law (UCL) Section 17200. The types we see most often include:
- Yo-yo financing: The dealer lets you take the vehicle, then calls days later claiming financing fell through and demands revised terms or the car’s return. This tactic violates Vehicle Code Section 11713 and is one of the most common conditional delivery abuses in California.
- Odometer fraud: Tampering with or rolling back mileage readings to misrepresent a vehicle’s condition. Both California law and the federal odometer statute prohibit this practice. Prevailing consumers may recover treble damages or a $10,000 minimum under federal law.
- Salvage title non-disclosure: Selling a rebuilt vehicle without disclosing that it was previously declared a total loss. Buyers have a right to know the vehicle’s branded title history before purchase.
- Certified pre-owned (CPO) misrepresentation: Certifying a vehicle without completing required inspections or concealing accident damage found during the inspection process.
- Undisclosed prior accidents or frame damage: California Vehicle Code Section 9990 requires dealers to disclose pre-delivery damage to new vehicles when repair costs exceed 3% of MSRP or $500, whichever is greater.
- Bait-and-switch advertising: Advertising a vehicle at one price or condition, then substituting a different vehicle or higher price at the point of sale.
- Hidden fees and financing deception: Adding undisclosed products or charges into the monthly payment calculation, or misrepresenting the trade-in payoff in the final contract.
- Title washing: Moving a vehicle through states with weaker branding laws to erase a salvage, flood, or lemon law buyback history before reselling it in California.
If any of these practices sound familiar, your situation warrants a legal review. Recognizing the conduct is the first step toward reclaiming what you lost.
Trusted by Clients Across California
See How We’ve Made a Difference
-
“He clearly knows what he is doing, and in handling my case, he demonstrated very high professionalism. I would highly recommend this team to represent anyone who has suffered serious injuries from a car accident.”- Warren H.
-
“His expertise and knowledge for my case made the process so easy and smooth.”- Remy Y.
-
“His service is beyond what I could have imagined, and am glad I made the choice to hire him for my representation! Not once, did I have to worry about a thing. Thank you again!”- Lizette R.
-
“I had a major problem with my vehicle and needed legal assistance. I was extremely lucky to be able to have Khachikyan Law Firm represent me. They took care of everything from A to Z for me and were extremely efficient.”- Arin M.
-
“They were very informative and kept in great communication throughout the entire process. Most importantly, they were very honest and transparent about the case, what the process would take, and what are the possible outcomes.”- Tri D.
-
“I was struggling with a defective car and was getting the run around from the automaker. After I reached out to Khachikyan Law Firm, they handled everything with minimal effort from me.”- A.G.
-
“Professional, responsive, and incredibly effective. I was referred to Khachikyan Law Firm by a friend who also had a great outcome, and now I’m passing that referral forward to anyone who comes across my review.”- Joe K.
-
“Stellar and seamless service. Not to mention diligent, thorough, and highly efficient. If you are ever in need of a Lemon Law Attorney, please consider Sahak and his firm. I promise you will not be disappointed. I’m so grateful I did!”- Rosie A.
-
“Sahak and his team fought through multiple denial letters and continued to stay confident that we had a solid case in our hands. In the end, their diligence and hard work paid off when we won our case.”- Aren A.
How Dealer Fraud Affects Glendale Vehicle Owners
The harm from dealer fraud reaches well beyond the purchase price. Buyers who unknowingly take ownership of a vehicle with concealed structural damage, flood history, or safety defects face risks they couldn’t have anticipated at signing. Financial damage accumulates quickly: repeated repairs, towing, rental vehicles, and hours spent back at the dealership compound a loss that started the moment the real facts were hidden.
A vehicle purchased under false pretenses may never perform as represented, leaving the owner with significant depreciation and no practical path forward without legal intervention. California law addresses this directly. Available civil remedies include rescission of the vehicle purchase contract, actual damages, punitive damages where the dealer acted willfully, injunctive relief, and attorney fees under statutes such as the CLRA. These remedies exist because the legislature recognized that individual consumers can’t effectively police dealership misconduct alone.
How Khachikyan Law Firm - Lemon Busters Handles Dealer Fraud Cases
When a client comes to us with a dealer fraud claim, we start by reviewing every available record: the purchase contract, financing agreement, warranty disclosures, repair orders, and any written or electronic communications with the dealership. That review tells us which statutes apply, who the responsible parties are, and which remedies may be available. Under the CLRA, the federal odometer statute, and other California consumer protection laws, a prevailing consumer may recover attorney fees directly from the dealer, which is why qualified claims are financially accessible without any out-of-pocket cost to you.
What Your Case Can Recover
Depending on the specific facts of your case, possible outcomes include a vehicle refund, a replacement vehicle, cash compensation, civil penalties, and recovery of attorney fees from the responsible party. Many dealer fraud cases resolve through negotiation or settlement. When a fair resolution isn’t offered, we pursue litigation.
How We Work With You
You have direct attorney involvement throughout, consistent communication, and 24/7 access when questions come up. There are no upfront costs, and you pay nothing unless we win. Free consultations are available so you can understand what your situation involves before making any commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Qualifies as Dealer Fraud in California?
Dealer fraud occurs when a dealership misrepresents or fails to disclose important facts about a vehicle at the time of sale, including hiding defects, altering mileage, failing to disclose prior damage, or using deceptive contract or financing practices. These actions violate California consumer protection laws and may entitle buyers to compensation, civil penalties, and attorney fees recovered from the dealer.
Does Dealer Fraud Law Cover Used Vehicle Purchases?
Yes. California law protects buyers of both new and used vehicles. If a dealership failed to disclose known defects or misrepresented the condition or history of a used vehicle, a valid dealer fraud claim may exist even when the Lemon Law doesn’t apply. The CLRA, UCL, and Vehicle Code Section 11713 all extend to used vehicle transactions.
What Compensation Can I Recover in a Dealer Fraud Case?
Depending on the statutes at issue and the facts of your case, available remedies may include rescission of the purchase contract, return of your down payment, reimbursement for repair costs, actual damages, civil penalties, and attorney fees recovered from the responsible party. The federal odometer statute provides for treble damages or a $10,000 minimum recovery in odometer fraud cases.
How Long Do I Have to File a Dealer Fraud Claim?
Deadlines vary by statute and the specific facts of your case. CLRA claims generally carry a 3-year statute of limitations from the date of the unfair practice; UCL claims generally provide a 4-year window; odometer fraud claims under federal law are generally 2 years from the date of discovery. Waiting can bar an otherwise valid claim, so early legal consultation is critical.
Do Dealer Fraud Cases Always Go to Court?
Not always. Many cases are resolved through negotiation or settlement before any lawsuit is filed. California’s CLRA requires consumers to send the dealer written notice at least 30 days before filing suit for damages under Civil Code Section 1782, giving the dealer an opportunity to respond. We handle that process from the initial notice through resolution, whether that ends in settlement or litigation.
Speak with a Glendale Dealer Fraud Attorney Today
If you believe a dealership misled you or concealed critical facts about your vehicle, California law gives you real options. Early legal guidance matters because evidence can disappear and statutory deadlines apply.
Khachikyan Law Firm - Lemon Busters offers free consultations so you can understand your rights without financial risk. Call (747) 946-5884 or contact us online today to speak with a dealer fraud attorney in Glendale.
