Certified Used Car or CPO Fraud

All of the large automobile manufacturers promote their “Certified Pre-Owned” (“CPO”) used car programs, through which they and their authorized dealers sell used cars that they claim have gone through a strict evaluation to determine whether they meet premium manufacturing standards in order to earn the “certified” title, and are “like new”. To qualify as a CPO, a used car must have low mileage, a clean title and supposedly pass a strict multi-point inspection such as a 172-point vehicle inspection and reconditioning process. Unbeknownst to most consumers, the manufacturers delegate the pre-sale inspection and reconditioning process to their dealers authorized to conduct the inspection and reconditioning on their behalf. Sometimes the dealers acting for the manufacturers intentionally or recklessly certify used cars that are rebuilt wrecks with substantial unrepairable damage including frame or structure damage or a flood vehicles.

Consumers also don’t know that manufacturers generally don’t stand behind the inspection if it turns out the dealer fraudulently certified the vehicle which is in fact a rebuilt wreck whose problems can never be fixed by the extended warranty that comes with CPO vehicles. The manufacturers take the position that certification is not a manufacturer CPO but only a used car dealer CPO. The manufacturer tells the consumers that they can only seek redress from the dealer even though the CPO is plainly a manufacturer and not a dealer CP). The dealer’s name appears nowhere on the CPO. What consumers believe is a certification that a large corporation will stand behind is nothing more than a individual used car dealer certification.

Since the early 2000s, our consumer rights lawyers have filed consumer fraud claims against many manufacturers, such as Ford, Honda and GM, for this alleged unfair and fraudulent practice. We have gotten our clients full refunds with all attorneys’ fees and costs paid for by the manufacturers who in some instances forces their dealer to contribute to the settlement. You can read about some of our firm’s successes in these case on our record page.

The attorneys at Lubin Austermuehle have over thirty years of experience prosecuting consumer fraud claims. We are knowledgeable regarding the changes and complexities consumer fraud law. We are committed to fighting for our clients’ rights in the courtroom and at the negotiating table. Conveniently located in Chicago, Elmhurst and Wilmette, Illinois, we have successfully litigated consumer fraud and certified used car fraud cases for clients all over the Chicago area. To schedule a consultation with one of our skilled attorneys, you can contact us online or give us a call at 630-333-0333.