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Auto dealer fraud covers a range of dishonest or deceptive practices by automobile dealers - including selling vehicles with hidden defects, falsifying documents, odometer tampering, concealing liens or prior accidents, false advertising, and misrepresenting warranty coverage. In La Plata - which is part of the Province of Buenos Aires - affected consumers can use administrative consumer protection channels, civil lawsuits, and in some cases criminal complaints. National consumer protection law and provincial and municipal consumer offices work alongside criminal and civil courts to address different aspects of dealer misconduct.
Auto dealer fraud cases can involve complex factual and legal issues, overlapping administrative, civil and criminal remedies, and tight procedural deadlines. You may need a lawyer if you face any of the following situations:
- The dealer misrepresented the vehicle condition, mileage, origin, or history and refuses to repair, refund or compensate you.
- You discovered undisclosed liens, embargoes or legal encumbrances that prevent transfer of title.
- Paperwork is forged or falsified - for example altered odometer records, false invoices, or incorrect ownership documents.
- The dealer fails to honor warranty commitments or refuses to provide a formal warranty in writing.
- You want to pursue damages for consequential losses - such as repair costs, loss of use, or diminished value.
- You want to file a criminal complaint for fraud - a lawyer can help frame the facts to the fiscalia and police and advise on evidentiary needs.
- The dealer is uncooperative and you need help with administrative complaints, conciliation hearings, or court representation.
Key legal frameworks and institutions relevant to auto dealer fraud in La Plata include:
- National Consumer Protection Law - Law 24.240 and its regulations protect consumers against unfair practices, require truthful advertising and impose obligations on sellers and service providers. These rules apply to car dealers when acting as sellers of consumer goods.
- Provincial and Municipal Consumer Offices - Consumers in La Plata can bring complaints to local consumer protection offices - these authorities handle administrative complaints, mediate disputes, and can impose fines or order repairs, refunds or price adjustments.
- Registro Nacional de la Propiedad del Automotor - The national vehicle registry handles title transfers, records of ownership, and can reveal liens or encumbrances. Discrepancies in registry data are important evidence in fraud matters.
- Civil Law - Buyers can sue for contract rescission, breach of contract, or damages in civil courts. Remedies can include repair, replacement, price reduction, full rescission with refund, and compensation for damages.
- Penal Law - Serious false representations, forged documents, or deceptive schemes may constitute the criminal offense of estafa - criminal investigations are carried out by the fiscalia and decided by criminal courts.
- Procedural requirements - Administrative complaints often include mandatory conciliation or mediation steps before civil litigation. Time limits and specific filing requirements apply, so acting promptly is essential.
Preserve all documents and records - sales contract, invoice, warranty paperwork, ad screenshots, messages or emails with the dealer, payment receipts, and any inspection or repair invoices. Stop using the car if safety is an issue and document defects with photos. Report the problem to the dealer in writing and request a formal solution. If the dealer does not respond, file a complaint with the local consumer protection office and consider consulting a lawyer.
Possibly. Under consumer protection rules and civil contract law you may seek rescission if the vehicle was misrepresented or has serious hidden defects. Remedies depend on the facts, whether the defect was concealed, and timelines. Administrative authorities often require conciliation first, and courts can order refunds and damages when rescission is justified.
Yes - intentionally altering or falsifying the odometer reading to misrepresent mileage can lead to criminal charges, typically prosecuted as estafa when there is deceptive intent to obtain an economic benefit. A criminal complaint to the fiscalia can trigger a police investigation.
Obtain an extract from the Registro Nacional de la Propiedad del Automotor showing recorded liens and prior ownership. Keep your sales contract and the dealer invoice. If the registry shows liens that were not disclosed, this is strong evidence. A lawyer can help assemble documents and present them to consumer authorities or courts.
You can file with the local consumer protection office in La Plata for administrative remedies and mediation. For issues involving national registry records or criminal conduct you may need to involve national agencies or the fiscalia. A local lawyer can advise on the best forum based on the type of claim.
Possible remedies include repair at the dealer expense, replacement, price reduction, contract rescission with refund, and compensation for direct and consequential damages. Administrative bodies can order corrective measures and fines. Criminal proceedings may not directly yield civil compensation, so victims often pursue civil claims in parallel.
Deadlines vary by type of action. Administrative complaints and civil claims have prescriptive periods and criminal actions also face statutes of limitation. Because time limits differ and can be short, it is important to act promptly and seek legal advice to preserve your rights.
Conciliation is a mediation-like process where the consumer office facilitates a negotiated solution between buyer and dealer. Many consumer claims go through this step before litigation. Agreements reached in conciliation can be binding and enforceable. If conciliation fails, you can still pursue civil or criminal remedies.
Yes, but the scope differs. New cars are covered by manufacturer and dealer warranties. Used cars may carry express warranties if the dealer offers them, and consumer law requires sellers to disclose defects. Implied legal protections may apply under consumer protection law, but coverage and duration depend on the contract and circumstances.
If there is evidence of intentional deception, forged documents, odometer tampering, or a deliberate scheme to defraud buyers, filing a criminal complaint is appropriate. Criminal and administrative or civil paths can proceed in parallel. A lawyer can help determine whether facts meet the criminal threshold and assist with drafting the complaint to the fiscalia.
Recommended institutions and organizations to contact or consult when dealing with auto dealer fraud in La Plata:
- Local consumer protection office in La Plata - to start an administrative complaint and request conciliation.
- Dirección Nacional de Defensa del Consumidor - for national consumer protection guidance and escalations.
- Registro Nacional de la Propiedad del Automotor (DNRPA) - to obtain vehicle ownership and lien records.
- Fiscalía or Policía local - to report criminal conduct such as forgery, odometer fraud, or estafa.
- Colegio de Abogados de La Plata - for lawyer referrals and professional resources.
- Consumer organizations like local consumer advocacy groups - for information and support in filing complaints and understanding rights.
- Gather and preserve evidence - Collect the sales contract, invoice, payment proofs, advertising materials, messages, warranty documents, vehicle inspection reports, photos, and repair invoices. Make certified copies when possible.
- Contact the dealer in writing - Describe the defect or problem, the remedy you request, and set a reasonable deadline for response. Keep copies of all communications.
- File an administrative complaint - Bring your case to the municipal or provincial consumer office in La Plata to seek conciliation and an administrative solution.
- Consider a legal consultation - Consult a lawyer experienced in consumer and automotive fraud to evaluate remedies, draft complaints, and advise on civil and criminal options.
- File a criminal complaint if appropriate - If there is evidence of intentional deception or forged documents, file a report with the police and fiscalia, with the assistance of counsel if possible.
- Act quickly - Time limits apply for administrative, civil and criminal claims. Early action preserves evidence and legal options.
If you are unsure where to start, contact the Colegio de Abogados de La Plata for referrals to consumer protection attorneys and consider visiting the local consumer office to report your issue and request guidance on the conciliation process.
