bought a used car from a dealership, now it doesn’t run

Location: Mississippi, USA

So I bought a 2004 Volvo XC90 recently from a used dealer in Mississippi for $2750 that drove well on the test drive and on highway that first day. I brought a family member’s mechanic with me who said it needed work on suspension and brake pads. Before arriving, the dealer said the car had new battery, would be gassed up and cleaned. We drove it from Mississippi to our home in Memphis an hour away. The next day the car wouldn’t turn over. I contacted the dealer who shouted the car is “as is” and getting a refund “doesn’t work like that.” The next day it turned over and I began driving to take it for a proper diagnosis, knowing I would need evidence of the issues for legal help. The diagnosis is as follows:

BATTERY (BAD CELLS) 0225.65 ALTERNATOR (LOW VOLTAGE) $737.29 SERFENTINE BELT (WORN) 6149.95 POWER STEERING FLUSH 189.95 OM CHANGE (DIRTY) 489.95 AIR FILTER (DIRTY) 065.69 REAR PADS/ROTORS (METAL TO METAL) $399.99 BRAKE FLUSH $89.95 FRONT STRUTS (OBIT) 61,075.68 TOP MOTOR MOUNT (BUSHING GONE) $318.99 LOWER MOTOR MOUNT (0611) $255.19 TRANSMISSION MOUNT (DEM) $497.49

I understand the car isn’t covered by lemon law, however am I able to use MS Code § 75-24-5 (2024) in a civil suit? Specifically around “unfair or deceptive trade practices or acts” and the misrepresentation of the condition of the vehicle. My concern is I don’t have written documentation of how the dealer represented the car, it was all verbal by phone and in person.

Posted Sep 11, 2025, 4:58 PM UTC

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