The dealer who sold you the car is usually not legally obligated to take the car back and issue you a refund or exchange after you’ve signed the sales contract. Some dealerships may allow you to return the vehicle if you’re unsatisfied or if the car has major mechanical issues, but only under special circumstances.
Why would a dealership ask for a car back?
The dealer is hoping that he can convince his customer to accept the new deal with higher payments. He hopes that the customer, who has been driving the car now for a few days or a couple of weeks, will have fallen in love with the vehicle and will happily agree to higher payments.
Can a car dealer force you to sign a second contract?
A car dealer cannot force you to sign a second contract. If the car dealer cancels the purchase contract with 10 days, you are obligated to return the car, and the car dealer must give you back any down payment or trade-in that you gave with the purchase.
What happens when you trade in a car at a car dealership?
The purchase contract requires the car dealer to return to you all consideration (i.e., everything) given for the purchase. This includes your trade-in vehicle. If you gave a $2,000 down payment and a car as a trade-in, the car dealer must give you back both the $2,000 and the trade-in when you return the car you purchased.
What happens if I sign a contract but never take possession of the car?
If you agree to buy a car, sign paperwork, etc. – but then never take possession of the car – you may be able to argue the contract was never actually executed. While the law is different in every state, many states require consumers to take delivery of a vehicle before the contracts are considered valid.
Do you have to return a car to the dealer?
The language of the purchase contract does not appear to give the car dealer this option. It requires the return of the trade-in.
