Ayala Law Files Arbitration Against Mercedes-Benz Dealer Over Tampered Odometer in Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle

At Ayala, we’re committed to standing up for consumers’ rights and ensuring that businesses are held accountable for their actions. Recently, we took action on behalf of our client, filing an arbitration claim against a Mercedes-Benz dealership that sold her a “certified pre-owned” vehicle with a tampered odometer. 

The Case Against the Dealership 

Our client purchased what she was led to believe was a certified pre-owned Mercedes-Benz. However, upon further inspection, it became clear that the vehicle’s odometer had been tampered with, compromising the integrity of the sale and putting our client at risk. 

Our client, an experienced and cautious buyer, noticed discrepancies shortly after the purchase and took immediate steps to uncover the truth. She brought the vehicle to the Mercedes-Benz dealership, where a mechanic discovered that the odometer had been tampered with—a finding that was later verified when further attempts to read the odometer resulted in a significantly large mileage difference. 

This discovery raised serious concerns, especially considering the vehicle was marketed and sold under the “certified pre-owned” status, a label that is supposed to assure buyers of the vehicle’s quality and history. 

Our Approach to Arbitration 

Recognizing the gravity of the situation and the potential for widespread consumer deception, our legal team swiftly initiated arbitration proceedings against the dealership. After a preliminary management hearing with the arbitrator, we were directed to file a formal statement of claim, which we did on August 1, 2024. 

You can read the statement of claim here. 

The statement of claim lays out in detail the fraudulent misrepresentation by the dealership and the serious issues surrounding the odometer tampering. The core of our argument centers on the dealership’s failure to uphold the standards associated with a certified pre-owned vehicle, which includes verifying the accuracy of the vehicle’s odometer reading. 

Next Steps 

As we move forward, our team will continue to gather evidence and advocate on behalf of our client. The next phase of the arbitration will involve an inspection of the vehicle, during which we will work to further substantiate our claims. It is crucial that the vehicle remains untouched to prevent any further tampering, ensuring that the evidence remains in its current state. 

We expect the arbitration process to conclude within the next six months, and we are confident that justice will be served. 

Why This Case Matters 

This case underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in the automotive industry, particularly when it comes to certified pre-owned vehicles. Consumers have the right to rely on the representations made by dealerships, especially when those representations are central to the purchase decision. At Ayala, we’re dedicated to protecting the rights of consumers and ensuring that businesses adhere to the standards they promote.  

If you believe you have been a victim of deceptive practices or have purchased a vehicle that does not meet the advertised standards, please contact one of our experienced attorneys at 305-570-2208. You can also email our lead attorney Eduardo directly at eduardo@ayalalawpa.com.   

We at Ayala Law PA are passionate about helping those in legal need, so please don’t hesitate to schedule a case evaluation with us online here.  

[The opinions in this blog are not intended to be legal advice. You should consult with an attorney about the particulars of your case].