Best Auto Dealer Fraud Lawyers in Thivais

About Auto Dealer Fraud Law in Thivais, Greece

Auto dealer fraud refers to deceptive practices by motor vehicle sellers that mislead buyers about a car’s condition, history, legal status, price, or associated financing and add-ons. In Thivais, Greece, these disputes are governed primarily by nationwide Greek consumer protection and civil law, with local public authorities handling inspections, registrations, and certain administrative matters. Common examples include rolled-back mileage, hiding accident or flood damage, selling cars with serious mechanical defects as roadworthy, misrepresenting service history, pressuring buyers into costly add-ons, unfair contract terms, and misstatements in trade-in values.

Greek law prohibits misleading and aggressive commercial practices and provides buyers with strong remedies for lack of conformity and latent defects. If the seller’s conduct meets the elements of fraud, criminal law may also apply. Whether you purchased from a showroom in Thivais, at a nearby lot, or online, you have rights that can be enforced through negotiation, mediation, and the courts.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may need a lawyer if a dealer misrepresented a car’s mileage, accident history, or mechanical condition, failed to disclose critical defects, refused to honor a statutory or contractual warranty, or used unfair terms in the sales or finance contract. Legal assistance is also helpful when a purchase was made at a distance or off-premises and you need to exercise a cooling-off right, when you financed the vehicle and the credit is linked to the sale, or when you face cross-border issues within the European Union.

A lawyer can evaluate the facts, preserve and analyze evidence, advise on the fastest and most cost-effective remedy, send a formal demand, navigate mediation with consumer authorities, negotiate settlement, and represent you in civil or criminal proceedings. Early advice can prevent mistakes such as missing deadlines, losing evidence, or inadvertently accepting repairs or terms that limit your rights.

Local Laws Overview

Consumer protection law in Greece prohibits misleading omissions and deceptive statements about material characteristics of goods, including a car’s mileage, previous damage, ownership status, title encumbrances, and fitness for normal use. A dealer must provide accurate, clear, and non-misleading information before the sale. False advertising and aggressive sales tactics are unlawful.

Sale of goods law provides remedies when a vehicle lacks conformity with the contract. If the car is not as described in the advertisement or contract, or if it has hidden defects that existed at the time of delivery, the buyer can typically seek repair, replacement, price reduction, or rescission with a refund, plus compensation for proven losses. For used vehicles, the liability period can be shorter than for new goods if the parties expressly agree, but a dealer cannot contract out of basic consumer rights or liability for fraud.

Distance and off-premises sales are subject to a 14-day cooling-off right under EU-derived rules. This generally applies if you concluded the deal online, by phone, or away from the dealer’s business premises with the dealer present. Purchases made entirely on-site at a dealership usually do not carry a cooling-off right. If you properly withdraw within the applicable period, you are entitled to a refund and must return the vehicle in accordance with the statutory process.

Financing and linked credit agreements are regulated. If your car purchase is tied to a consumer credit contract issued to fund that specific purchase, you may have certain rights against the lender if the seller breaches the contract. Never stop making payments without legal advice, because missed payments can trigger default consequences.

Administrative and local aspects matter. Roadworthiness inspections are performed at KTEO centers, and transfers of ownership are handled through the competent Transport and Communications Directorate. In the Thivais area, this is managed within the Regional Unit of Boeotia. Ensuring proper transfer, registration, payment of applicable fees, and checking for encumbrances or seizures is important. A lawyer can guide you on obtaining and evaluating the paperwork, including KTEO certificates, service records, proof of ownership, and any finance or leasing releases.

Evidence is key. Keep the advertisement screenshots, messages, videos, pre-purchase inspection results, KTEO reports, signed contracts, finance agreements, receipts, and correspondence. If fraud is suspected, consider an independent expert report to document defects, mileage irregularities, or structural damage. In some cases, fraudulent conduct may also be reported to law enforcement for investigation under the Penal Code provisions on fraud.

Deadlines for claims and the duration of presumptions about defects are set by law, and they can change over time. Generally, for an initial period after delivery, defects are presumed to have existed at delivery unless the dealer proves otherwise, and used goods may have a shorter liability period if expressly agreed. Ask a lawyer about the current Greek rules, the exact time limits, and how they apply to your case.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as auto dealer fraud in Thivais, Greece

Fraud includes deceptive practices such as rolling back mileage, falsely claiming a vehicle is accident-free, concealing serious defects or flood damage, advertising options the car does not have, using unfair add-ons, and misrepresenting the legal status of the vehicle. It also covers aggressive sales tactics or misleading omissions that influence your decision to buy.

Is a used car covered by a warranty by default

Yes, consumer law provides a statutory guarantee that the car will conform to the contract and be fit for normal use. For used cars, the liability period can be reduced by express agreement, but a dealer cannot eliminate your basic consumer rights or avoid responsibility for misrepresentation or fraud.

Can a dealer avoid liability by selling a car as-is

No. As-is wording does not shield a dealer from liability for misleading or unfair commercial practices, nor from responsibility for hidden defects that existed at delivery. Contract terms that attempt to waive mandatory consumer protections are generally not enforceable.

What if I discover rolled-back mileage after purchase

Gather evidence such as past KTEO records, service entries, diagnostic data, and the original advertisement. Notify the dealer in writing and request a remedy. You may seek rescission with refund, a price reduction, or damages. Intentional mileage manipulation can also support a criminal complaint for fraud. A lawyer can coordinate an expert report to document the discrepancy.

Do I always have 14 days to cancel a car purchase

No. The 14-day cooling-off right applies to distance or off-premises contracts. Sales concluded entirely at a dealership typically do not qualify. If your transaction was online, by phone, or off-premises with the dealer present, you may have this right, subject to the legal conditions and timelines.

How do I prove the dealer misled me

Use the advertisement, email or message history, recorded representations, KTEO reports, service records, expert inspection findings, and any discrepancies between promised features and actual condition. Consistent documentation and a timely written complaint strengthen your case.

Should I stop paying my car loan if the vehicle is defective

Do not stop payments without legal advice. Missed payments can cause default. In linked credit situations, you may have rights against the lender if the seller breached, but exercise them through the proper legal process with guidance from a lawyer.

What remedies can I seek against the dealer

Depending on the facts, you can request repair, replacement, price reduction, rescission with refund, and compensation for proven losses such as inspection costs, towing, or temporary transport. In cases of intentional deception, you may also pursue a criminal complaint.

How long do I have to bring a claim

Time limits vary by the type of claim and contract. There are statutory periods for notifying the seller and for filing claims, and there may be an initial period where defects are presumed to have existed at delivery. Ask a Greek lawyer promptly to avoid missing deadlines.

Can I handle this through mediation instead of going to court

Yes. You can file a complaint with consumer authorities that offer mediation, and many disputes settle after a lawyer’s formal demand. Mediation can be faster and less expensive, but if it fails, you still have the option to litigate.

Additional Resources

Hellenic Consumers Ombudsman. An independent authority that mediates consumer disputes and issues recommendations. Useful for submitting a complaint against a dealer and seeking out-of-court resolution.

General Secretariat for Commerce and Consumer Protection. Receives consumer complaints, monitors market practices, and can impose administrative measures for unfair practices.

Directorate of Transport and Communications of the Regional Unit of Boeotia. Handles transfers of ownership, registration issues, and administrative vehicle matters for the Thivais area.

KTEO Vehicle Inspection Centers. Provide roadworthiness inspections and reports that can help document a vehicle’s condition and mileage history.

European Consumer Centre Greece. Assists with cross-border disputes if you purchased from a dealer in another EU country.

Local Bar Association in Thiva. Can provide lawyer referrals for professionals experienced in consumer and auto dealer disputes.

Hellenic Police and the local Public Prosecutor. For filing criminal complaints in cases of suspected fraud, forgery, or other offenses.

Next Steps

Document everything. Save the advertisement, messages, invoices, contract, finance papers, KTEO reports, and any audio or video showing representations made by the dealer. Write down a timeline of events while details are fresh.

Get an independent inspection. Arrange a qualified mechanic or engineer to inspect the car and issue a written report. This can confirm defects, prior damage, or mileage inconsistencies.

Notify the dealer in writing. Send a detailed letter or email describing the issues, the legal basis, and the remedy you seek, and set a clear deadline for response. Keep proof of delivery.

Consider mediation. File a complaint with consumer authorities that offer mediation. This can pressure the dealer to settle and may resolve the matter without court.

Consult a lawyer early. A local lawyer can assess your rights, advise on deadlines, draft an effective demand, preserve evidence, coordinate expert reports, and represent you in mediation or court. If the transaction involved linked credit, the lawyer can also address the finance company.

Protect your position. Do not sign releases, accept inadequate repairs, or stop loan payments without advice. Follow the proper process for returns or rescission to avoid claims that you waived rights.

Escalate if needed. If negotiation and mediation fail, your lawyer can file a civil claim and, where appropriate, a criminal complaint. The choice of court and procedure will depend on the claim value and facts, and your lawyer will guide you through the steps.

This guide is informational and not legal advice. For tailored guidance on auto dealer fraud in Thivais, Greece, contact a qualified Greek lawyer.