Do you know that dealers can sell cars with engine lights on? It’s a common practice, and for good reason: it saves the dealership time and money. engine light is a warning signal that indicates there may be an issue with the car’s engine. By selling the car with the engine light on, the dealership can fix the issue and avoid having to take the car in for service. The practice of selling cars with engine lights on isn’t illegal, but it is against dealership policy. If you are unhappy with your purchase because you bought a car with an engine light on, you may have options available to you. You can contact the dealership or your state’s consumer protection department to see if there is anything you can do.
What is the Dealer’s Obligation?
The dealer’s obligation when selling a car with an engine light on depends on the specific circumstances. If the car is being sold under a warranty, the manufacturer is typically responsible for taking care of it. If the car is not under warranty, or if the problem was caused by the buyer, the dealer may be held liable. In either case, it’s important to get documentation from both parties involved in order to back up your claims.
What are the Penalties for Selling a Car with an Engine Light on?
If you are a car dealer and your dealership sells a car with an engine light on, the penalties for violating this law vary depending on the state in which you are located. In most states, selling a car with an engine light on is illegal and can result in fines and/or jail time.
Some states have more severe penalties for dealers who violate this law, while other states have less severe penalties. In any case, selling a car with an engine light on is not allowed and dealers who do so may face serious consequences.
Can the Dealer Sell My Car if the Engine Light is on?
If your car has an engine light on, the dealer cannot sell it to you. The vehicle must be brought in for a safety inspection and the engine light must be cleared before it can be sold. You may also need to get a new title if the engine light is on.
What to do If You Find Out Your Car has an Engine Light on It
If you find out your car has an engine light on it, there are a few things to do.
First, make sure the light isn’t indicative of a bigger issue. Many times, an engine light is caused by something minor, like a loose wire or air bubble. If the issue is small enough, fixing it may just require a quick fix (like tightening a screw) and won’t require taking your car in for service.
If the engine light is more serious though, it may be necessary to take your car in for repairs. Depending on the situation, you may either need to have the light fixed or replaced altogether.
In most cases, if the engine light is just coming on intermittently and doesn’t seem to be causing any problems, you can try to fix it yourself by following these steps: Disconnect both battery cables and wait 10 minutes Reconnect cables and turn ignition to “OFF” Wait two minutes Reconnect cables and turn ignition back on Repeat steps until light goes off You can also try this DIY fix if you don’t want to take your car into the dealership: Remove screws securing dashboard near engine Replace dashboard Cover with electrical tape Turn electrical tape over so that it covers screws below Remove screws from underneath dashboard Replace dashboard Screws onto screws under dashboard