Discover All There is to Know About Ohio Odometer Disclosure Statement

You've probably heard about odometer fraud and the havoc it's doing on the used automobile industry. Because a vehicle with high mileage will likely sell for less than one with fewer kilometers, sellers may be tempted to mislead about the vehicle's mileage.

Because an odometer records miles while your automobile is driven, odometer fraud is significant. It's the six-digit number on the bottom of your speedometer. Older vehicles use analog odometers, but modern vehicles have digital odometers. An Ohio odometer disclosure statement is only a declaration of a vehicle's mileage as indicated by its odometer, as well as whether or not the reading is true.

What Is An Odometer Disclosure Statement?

An Odometer Disclosure Statement is a lawfully enforceable document that shows the exact mileage on the odometer when the car is transferred from the seller to the buyer. If the mileage is erroneous, the error must be noted on the statement.

Is it Mandatory?

Except for specific automobiles, odometer disclosure is mandated by law, which means that violations will result in fines and possibly jail. However, not all automobiles are required to disclose their odometer readings.

Commercial vehicles with weight limits and vehicles supplied directly to an agency by a manufacturer and a new vehicle transferred before its first retail sale are not required. You may be required to fill out an odometer reading form in certain instances.

Ending Statement

The average new car buyer maintains their vehicle for six to eight years, but today's vehicles can last 20 years or longer when properly maintained. That means that most automobiles will have two or more owners throughout their lives, and each ownership change will result in a sales transaction. This is why you should know, what does an odometer mean? To complete that transaction, accurate documentation is required, and an Odometer Disclosure Statement is one of those documents.

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How Can You Protect Yourself from Common Scams?

Thousands of American citizens become victims of scams every day. Unfortunately, this is a very common occurrence and affects people of all ages. The Texas Consumer Protection Act protects consumers from all types of scams and unfair trade practices. However, it is always best if you can avoid the scam altogether. So, here are the best ways you can protect yourself from scammers:

1. Do not respond to unknown numbers: You should immediately be skeptical if you receive a call from an unknown number. The caller may or may not impersonate someone you know, so always be on high alert. If the caller asks you for money or your personal information, immediately stop the call. 

2. Do not reveal your personal information: Scammers often pose as your family member or friend to gain your trust. If they ask you for personal information such as your bank details, social security number, etc., you should immediately stop communication. This may be an attempt at identity theft.  

 

3. Do not send money to an unknown person or business: Scammers most often want you to send money through wire transfers or buy a gift card. Please do not do it. Instead, you should report the incident immediately. 

Most scammers will try to take advantage of your ignorance and extort money from you. This is why being informed about the latest scams and fraud practices is important. If you face a scam or a fraud involving your car, contact the attorneys at Allen Stewart, a law firm specializing in lemon laws. The consultation is free.

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Watch Out For These 3 Signs Of Car Frame Damage?

The frame of a car provides structural support to the car. Damage to the car frame might occur due to collisions or accidents. 

However, accidents do not always leave visible signs of damage to the car. This is common with car frame damage, as they are not easy to recognize. 

This blog lists three signs of car frame damage that you should look out for.

1 - Altered Alignment

If you have noticed that your car is pulling over to one side frequently, and you are required to apply additional correction while driving, it would indicate that your car’s alignment has been altered.

Severe misalignment might also be visible on the car’s body.

2 – Unusual Noises 

A car that has been caught in an accident will make many new noises, such as creaking, squeaking, etc. 

If you hear unusual noises from your car, it is important to get them checked at the earliest so that they do not manifest into larger problems.

3 – Tires Have Uneven Wear

Tires can wear out normally due to usage. However, frame damage can cause different wear patterns among the car’s different tires. 

Suspension and alignment issues can cause irregular wear in the tires, affecting the tire’s grip on the road, especially during rainy or snowy weather. 

In conclusion, frame damage on a car may not show up in visible terms, but you need to watch out for signs that indicate the damage. If you have been sold a car with frame damage, you can seek assistance from the attorneys of Allen Stewart.

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How to Find the Perfect Attorney for your Problem

It is always important to make careful considerations while hiring an attorney to represent you. The following four tips can help you hire the right attorney for your unique situation.  

1. Do I need a Lawyer?

The primary step is to think about all the problems and issues you are going through. Many lawyers provide free consultations on initial visits, therefore, take advantage of that free consultation to further define the problems and eventually determine if you really need a lawyer. 

2. Research

Not every lawyer can be ideal for you, nor can you be ideal for every lawyer. Consult your friends and family members for referrals for a good lawyer. You can also conduct online research to find the appropriate lawyer for automotive fraud.

3. Interview

After short listing some lawyers, it is time to get in touch with them in person. During the conversation, get the lawyer’s thoughts on your situation, his/her experience in dealing with your kind of problem, and if in case you get potentially interested, ask for an engagement letter that describes the scope of the lawyer’s services and how costs and fees are determined.

4. Clear Communication

It is important to ensure that you establish clear lines of communication with the lawyer and staff. If you have any doubts, be proactive and clear them as soon as possible with your lawyer.

Conclusion

Finding the automotive attorney for your problem is important as it has a direct impact on the success and failure of your case.

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How to Apply for a Duplicate Title in Colorado?

The title of a car establishes you as the owner of the vehicle. It is documentation that will list some information such as license plate number, owner’s name and address, the car’s VIN number, etc. A car can have different titles depending upon its condition. These could be a Clear title, Clean title, Salvage title, Rebuilt title, or even a Lemon title if it were a lemon law buyback car. If the title of your car has been lost or damaged, you can apply for a new one. Here are the steps in doing so.

1. Gather the necessary information: You need the VIN of the car, a Colorado Duplicate Title Request and Receipt, Secure and Verifiable Identification, and Power of Attorney while applying for a duplicate title. 

2. Pay the necessary fees: You will require to pay $8.20 as a fee for the duplicate title. You need to pay this through a check or a money order. 

3. Apply for the duplicate title: You need to apply for the duplicate title from the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicle. Submit all the paperwork along with the fee. It will take about 30 days to get your duplicate title in the mail. 

Usually, it is a very straightforward process to get your duplicate title. You only need a few documents to apply for it, and it takes a few days to be issued. If you face any trouble regarding a lemon title car, you can contact attorneys at Allen and Stewart to get a free consultation.

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Be Aware Of Your Rights On Returning A Lemon Law Car

Lemon laws were designed to protect the consumers if they are stuck with defective cars that the dealer could not get repaired despite reasonable attempts.

However, many people are not aware of their rights related to lemon laws. This blog explains what you can expect once you return a lemon law car. 

If You Qualify Under Lemon Law, What Are You Entitled To?

Once you prove that your car qualifies as a lemon, you are entitled to receive a refund or a replacement. A refund would consist of your down payment, any monthly payments made to date, registration, taxes, and other expenses. 

If you can prove that the manufacturer willfully failed or refused to repurchase the vehicle, you can also claim civil penalties up to two times the vehicle's purchase price. As in the case of Jeep lemons, where Chrysler settled claims, you are entitled to receive a settlement.

What Are Your Rights When Returning A Used Car?

A used car will qualify under lemon laws under manufacturer and/ or dealer warranty. 

The consumer is eligible to receive a refund of all the money spent on the vehicle, any loan payoff, the payment of their attorney's fees, and civil penalties up to two times the vehicle's purchase price.

To conclude, consumers need to be aware of their rights related to lemon laws to file a claim. If you need assistance with lemon laws, please get in touch with the attorneys at Allen Stewart.

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How To Identify Whether Your Car Is a Lemon Or Not?

Are you one of those people who recently purchased a car only to find it had a lot of problems? Is the car dealer giving you the run around? You may probably be asking yourself, "How do I know if my car is a lemon?"  

Both state and federal laws protect consumers from the lemon automobile. The state of California passed the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act in 1970 that protects buyers from unscrupulous dealers.

The Federal Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act was passed in 1975 which expanded consumer protection to the national level. Together, these laws are commonly known as "Lemon law."

As per the California Lemon Law, a car manufacturer is required to purchase or replace a vehicle if it is:

• Under warranty; and

• If the auto manufacturer has failed to fix the automobile after a reasonable number of attempts; and 

• Issues started arising, and you tried to fix them within 18 months or 18,000 miles of buying the car.

Even if you purchased a used car, you are still eligible for protection under the Lemon Law only if the vehicle still comes under the original manufacturer's warranty. 

Signs your car is a Lemon

As per a recent study conducted on lemon car owners and BBB auto line, 2/3 of cars that were lemons started showing problems in less than a month of purchase. The most common symptoms laid by the study were problems with

• starter

• brakes

• battery 

• radiator

• transmission

• carburetor

• engine

• heating/cooling system

• and suspension system

The study also suggested that the airbags were also sometimes the issue that made a car lemon. 

Conclusion

Lemon vehicles are quite a common problem but can be avoided with the right information.

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Digital Odometer Rollback: How Easy is it and How to Spot It?

Many people assume that digital odometers cannot be rolled back. Unfortunately, it is far from the truth. It has become just as easy to roll back a digital odometer as it is to roll back an analog one. Due to this, odometer rollback frauds have become much more common, and consumers suffer from it. Scammers can roll back the odometer with these tricks:

• Using an odometer correction device takes off thousands of miles from a digital odometer. 

• Removing the Vehicle's circuit board to stop the odometer from working. They may replace the circuit board later, but the odometer reading will resume from the last mileage count. 

• As you can see, it is unfortunately very easy for scammers to roll back a digital odometer. Thankfully there are several ways you can spot this. 

  

• Check the car thoroughly to inspect any wear and tear. See if they are consistent with the mileage on the odometer. 

• Look for signs of tampering in the circuit board and the odometer. If there is a loose screw or the display is faulty, it may have been tampered with. 

Get a car history report: Get a CARFAX report, and compare any previous mileage records to the current one. See if it makes logical sense. 

If you find any inconsistencies in the car's records, it is best to avoid buying the car. However, if you already purchased the car before you noticed the problems, consult with an attorney from Allen Stewart today to seek legal action against the seller. 

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Could Concealment Of A Car’s Lemon History Amount To Auto-Fraud?

Buying a car is a big decision for anybody. It offers mobility and convenience, and it benefits the entire family. 

For many people, buying a used car is the best option to own a vehicle. It can offer good value for money and a cheaper alternative to costlier new cars.

However, it is vital to remain vigilant when buying used cars, or you might end up buying a lemon.

What Is A Lemon Car?

By definition lemon cars are new or used cars with significant defects that could compromise their safety and bring down their value.

If the manufacturer’s warranty covers the car and multiple and reasonable attempts have been unsuccessfully made to repair the vehicle, the consumer can file for a lemon law claim for a refund or replacement. 

What Happens After You Invoke Lemon Law For Your Defective Car?

If it is proven that a consumer is entitled to a replacement or a refund, the manufacturer buys back the car, called a ‘lemon buyback.’

The manufacturer could then repair the vehicle, register it in their name, and put it back on the market.

Why Should You Check For Lemon History Reported?

Manufacturers are permitted by law to sell lemon buybacks. However, the law stipulates that the consumer should know the lemon history of the vehicles. Hence, manufacturers need to place labels reporting the car’s lemon status.

Dealers should also disclose the lemon status when selling cars to the buyers. 

In conclusion, every buyer should check for lemon history reported status when purchasing a car in the used car market. If you have been a victim of auto-fraud through concealment of facts, the attorneys at Allen Stewart could assist you.

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Can You Return A Car After Purchase?

There are instances where a person completes all the formalities of buying a car and then, at the last moment, reverses the purchasing decision. These people often ask, Can a car dealer cancel a contract? 

It is worth mentioning that once you've signed a contract and test drove the vehicle, the dealer is under no legal obligation to take back the automobile. However, this doesn't mean that you are stuck in the situation; it all depends upon how you approach the situation.

First Off, the Law

Federal law has the provision of a three-day cooling-off period in case of several transactions. However, it only implies to businesses that don't have permanent establishments and practice door-to-door sales tactics. This provision certainly exempts auto dealers. There is no such federal law that protects buyers who experience buyer's remorse after buying a new car.

However, some states provide used car buyers the right to cancel their transaction, while others leave it up to the dealers to decide.

That being said, here are some tips and steps buyers can utilize to unwind a deal. 

Dealership Return Policies

In case you are a notorious returner, it is advised that you shop at t a dealership that offers a limited return policy:

Carmax provides a 24-hour test drive along with a 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Online car sellers such as Carvana and Vroom offer a seven-day test drive period before buyers can make their purchase decision.

Buyer's Remorse

Start by calling your concerned salesperson and plead your case in a professional manner. Your request will get passed on to a dealership's chain of command, starting from the sales manager, general manager, or owner.

Conclusion

Your chances of returning a car would be the highest if you purchased a used or certified pre-owned (CPO) car. If you purchased a new car, it technically becomes a used car the moment you drive it off the lot. Therefore, be extra careful before finalizing a particular car in the future.

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Why Reading the Odometer Is Important While Buying an Old Car?

The odometer measures exactly how far the car has traveled in its lifetime. The more miles traveled, the more wear-and-tear the car will have. The odometer reading also determines the price of the car. Knowing how to read the mileage on a car is very important before buying an old car. Here is why you need to read the odometer before purchasing an old vehicle:

1. To determine the price: The price of a car is determined based on the age and mileage of the car. If the car has mileage higher than the average mileage, the car will be worth much less. 

2. To determine how long you can use it: The car's mileage will determine how long it will be good for and how many repairs it will require down the road. 

3. To determine if the mileage is accurate: Many scammers know how to change the mileage on the odometer. So, comparing the odometer's reading to the previous car history reports will give you an idea about if the reading is correct. 

Many factors can determine how well a used car will perform. However, mileage is one of the most important things, which is why many people roll back the odometer to try and increase the price of their car. If you purchased a car only to find that the odometer may have been rolled back, you could contact an expert attorney at Allen Stewart to take legal action against the seller.

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Is It Possible To Disable Odometers From Reading Mileage?

Millions of vehicles are sold in the United States each year. According to federal estimates, a high number of those vehicles have been altered illegally. 

One of the most common frauds is odometer tampering. Fraudsters illegally tamper the reading on the odometers to sell at higher prices.

This blog looks at how odometer reading are taken and the process of disabling odometers to show reduced mileage.

What Is Odometer Reading?

An odometer is an instrument in your car that records the total miles/ kilometers the car has traveled during its lifetime. 

Taking a reading from the odometer is a simple process. Read the number displayed on the small rectangle indicator, usually located near the speedometer.

That is the number of miles the car has clocked in its life.

How To Disable Odometers From Reading Mileage?

Below are the steps to disable odometers to stop them from reading mileage. This guide is only meant to show how fraudsters commit auto fraud.

1 – Locate The Odometer Fuse.

Identifying the correct fuse for the Odometer among the many fuses for other functions might be tricky. 

2 – Remove The Fuse

Once you identify the right fuse, you can take it out carefully, using a tool for fuse removal. You will see that the odometer mileage will immediately stop reading.

3 – Final Inspection

Now that you have disabled your odometer, you need to carefully inspect and ensure that all the other fuses are installed to avoid problems with the other functions of the car.

Conclusion

Disabling an odometer is a simple process, which makes tampering easy. If you feel that you have been a victim of odometer fraud, reach out to the attorneys at Allen Stewart.

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