You reply that the car has never been in an accident. It turns out all of the defects in alignment, dashboard adjustments and electrical problems you've been complaining about are related to a bent frame caused in a pre-sale collision. The manufacturer had refused to buy back the car without an explanation, and now you know why. Your garden-variety lemon law claim just ripened into a juicy hybrid. This shocking practice is actually quite common, and consumers often prove certain dishonest dealers have a pattern of making such sales.
Accidents happen at the factory, en route to the dealer or even on the dealer's lot.
When they do, dealers aren't going to get stuck with the loss if they can help it. Sometimes, dealers even accept the insurance proceeds and still sell the damaged vehicle for full price as new. In some states, damage such as bumpers, glass or other items that can be repaired with factory parts aren't even included in the 3 or 5 percent threshold. Such statutes protect the dealer and manufacturer from having to disclose relatively minor damage that has been repaired. On the other hand, if the damage to the car exceeds the statutory threshold, the dealer must disclose the damage regardless of whether you ask about it.