QuestionQUESTION: I purchased a used '02 Chevy S10 pickup in the beginning of May. Driving home, I discovered the seatbelts didn't connect correctly, the tongue wouldn't stay in the buckle. As it turns out, the buckles are old style push buttons, as opposed to the end release style that should be in it. I informed the dealer the next day, and they promised they would take care of the problem. It's been 3 months, and it's still not resolved. They told me today, they're not obligated to help.
A vehicle without fully functional seatbelts is not only unsafe, but illegal, are they, in fact, obligated to replace the buckles with the proper ones, or am I wasting my time completely.
ANSWER: Well every state has their own rules and regulations. But for the extreme most part, when you are buying used vehicles, they are bought AS-IS. And unfortunately, that includes safety items.
Now had you really raised some hell within the first 30 days of purchase, you probably could have got them to take care of it, now that you are outside that period, I dont think you have much chance. I always hate to hear these situations, because I would figure, for reputation stakes, that a dealer would make that right with you, it would not cost that much money. And I recently had the same situation come up, and I made it right with the customer, after the sale, not because I had to, because we have a really good reputation here, and I truly value each and every one of my customers. But in the end, I think it would be in your best interest to just take care of it yourself, and pay the dealer back with bad word-of-mouth. Word of mouth is the best, and worst form of advertising. It takes about 10 good deals, to overide 1 bad deal, it will come back to get them, though they may never notice it. Just go to a salvage yard and find one that will work, and replace it yourself. There isnt anything to it, and probably would not cost more than $10-15 to find it in salvage. Sorry it happened, and I hope it works out for you in the end.
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QUESTION: Thanks a lot! I appreciate the help. I am curious, though, I understand the as-is idea, and I have no problem with that, but can a dealer legally sell a vehicle that isn't technically legal to drive off the lot?
AnswerWell like I said earlier, each state has their own rules and regulations, but here in oklahoma there is nothing illegal about selling a car with defective restraints. Not a real wise ideal to do so, but to my knowledge there is nothing illegal about it.
