If a dealer damaged my car during service, what are my options as far as requesting a new replacement car?
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If a dealer damaged my car during service, what are my options as far as requesting a new replacement car?
I worry that future problems may arise from the damage.
Asked on August 18, 2014 under Business Law, Virginia
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 10 years ago | Contributor
You can always "request" a new car, but they are not required to give you one. What they do have to do is 1) repair any damage; and 2) to the extent that even after the repair, there is some documentable or proveable reduction in value (such as a reduction in the "blue book" value), compensate you for the reduction, to the extent of the reduction. If they do not voluntarily do these things, you could sue them for the cost of repairs and the reduction in value--suing them would be the only way to get them to do this if they do not voluntarily compensate you, so you'd have to weigh whether it would be worth the cost to file a lawsuit. Again, there is no right to a new car, though they could voluntarily choose to give you one.
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