My daughter just called and told me the car she just bought said 242,000 miles on the odometer. The seller told her 142,000 and even signed a piece of paper to that amount. Also signed it on the title. She bought it with a trade of her car and $500. She also had mechanic look at it and cost her $25. Also drove 120 miles to get there. He said he would return her car and cash. Is there any thing she can do about the time and mechanic cost to her? I know she should have looked at the odometer but she just trusted this person and didn't think anyone would sign something in writing stating a lie, but is there any thing else she can do or should do.

She can sue him, but its probably not worth it.

As long as there isn't anything mechanically wrong with the car it most likely is a waste of time to sue over the mileage. If the car had regular maintanence upkeep it may last longer and better than low mileage cars that were not kept up on. Also if somebody rebuilt a motor or a tranny the mileage would not reflect that either.

So if she sued and she isn't having any other problems then I doubt she would really be ahead in any way. She had a mechanic look over it. He is not responsible for the mileage disagreement. All he did was check HOW the car was and what problems it might have. Unless he LIED about the mileage too or said it was okay when it had real problems. He did what he was paid to do. So that leaves only the seller that she could go after. If there is a problem and she takes it to court she could add the mechanics fee to what she wants from the seller but no guarantee she would get that back IF she even won.


Unless you can prove that the seller willfully deceived you and sold you a really bad car cars sold by private owners are sold as is, at least in my state. Then it usually has to be something like a bad frame, or some problem that can endanger your life in order for you to win your case.

What State?

Otherwise I agree with the other answers.

What should she do you ask? She should be grateful the seller wants to give her money and old car back! Basically the onus is on the buyer when it comes to used cars being sold by individuals and not car dealers. She should have looked at the mileage when she test drove it. She should chalk it up to a very inexpensive lesson as it could have been much, much worse than $25 for the mechanic and 120 miles to get there. Small price to pay for a lesson well learned (we hope) for future car purchases.