Rusty steering wheel axle

Where did the car come from - as beach area?

 

Car got flooded, maybe with salt water? Something fishy (no pun) is going on, that's unusual for interior steel. You are right to bring it to their attention, perhaps a short and sweet trade-in is in order?

 

I didn't think of that - here, that would normally be classed as a write-off if it was flooded. Do the carpets and seats look OK? No musty smells? Can you look under the dashboard for anything sinister, do all the electronics work properly, the USB Port, CD Player etc?

What about externally - are there any signs of water?

 

harvey car? is it legal for a dealer to sell them without disclosing?

 

The carpets look pristine, replaced??

Check under the carpet?

 

Yeah this smells. Reminds me of a "new" car we got one time, where one side had sideswiped a bollard coming off the boat: half the car got a fast bondo-and-repaint.

The wheel rims are bubbling up rust under the paint, and the picture with expanse of blue paint (img_1518), you can see strong orange-peel texture to the paint, that does not look original.

I think you want to bail on this, as painlessly and quickly as possible. Sadly, the dealership will probably sell it to someone else.

 

Walk away, my friend. This car has been in a flood somewhere and should be a write-off!

 

^ This. If dealership knows it, and knows you know too, you have a strong bargaining chip. It's never a cakewalk though.

Innocently ask them (hinting they knew nothing about it, which "may" be the case) if you should report the car's condition to the feds?

 

is this a toyota dealership?
i would ask for exchange/refund. if they balk, talk to your ag's office of consumer affairs.

 

Get rid of this car. It sounds like nothing but trouble, and the dealer sounds like a scam artist.

 

The fact the carpets have been disturbed and not put back indicates to me that the car has been stripped out, cleaned, dried and hurriedly re-assembled. Poorly.

I'd just ask for your money back - it's a car full of problems today, tomorrow they will just fester. Rust doesn't go away, and if there's visible rust, imagine what else is lurking underneath.

Not sure if that's a legal offence in your country to try to sell it without explanation that it's been severely damaged, but here, I think it is.

 

Most used car sales are as-is. Did you have a mechanic inspect the car before you bought it?

 

Is there no statutory warranty?

Here, there is a 3month/5000km warranty on all use cars less than 10 yrs/160,000km old. (But there are some exemptions, eg bought at an auction and vehicles that are on the ‘written-off’ register and others.)

 

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In my state on Massachusetts we have specific laws as well: https://blog.mass.gov/consumer/consumer-rights/purchasing-a-used-car-heres-what-the-lemon-law-means-for-you/

Not sure about the specific protections in the OP’s state, but I hope he will get legal advise fast. Any dealer that let this car be sold cannot be trusted in any form or fashion moving forward.

 

There is definitely a lot of strange issues going on with this. No rust at all on mine, about 10 miles away from water where I live and closer where I work but I garage mine, except for work.

 

Not in the US for used cars. Unless there is a contract indicating a warranty, the minute you sign the papers you own the car without recourse. Even if it explodes and burns the next minute. Dealers here are allowed to lie without penalty because the only thing that matters is what is in the contract. And they disclaim every warranty and the buyer has to agree and sign when they buy the car.

There are "lemon" laws that protect new car buyers. But used car buyers have no protection unless the contract includes specific coverage. That's why you need an inspection. Even when buying from a dealer. In fact, it is highly likely that the salesperson knows nothing about the car's history or condition.

 

They are not called STEALERships for no cause. I won't even trust a dealer to change the oil.