Dealership sold salvaged vehicle to me without disclosing it was salvaged
Location: Colorado
In Colorado in February 2023, I purchased a used vehicle through a dealership. While purchasing the vehicle, I did a simple web search of the VIN and found auction listings for this exact vehicle from 2021 that showed it with fairly substantial damage. The damage was clearly repaired in the interim, and I showed the photos to the salesman. He said something to the effect of “man it really got messed up,” but brushed off the photos and said the truck was fine. During the sale, the dealership pulled the carfax which showed the vehicle had “minor damage” from that same accident in 2021 and also guaranteed me that the title was clean.
The vehicle was largely used for in-town driving. In December of 2025, I moved several states over. After making the drive from Colorado, I noticed that the wear on the rear tires, which I had replaced just before making the trip, was extreme. I took the vehicle to an alignment shop in April to take a measurement, and found that the alignment was indeed incredibly out of spec. To put this in perspective, I have cords showing on tires with only 6,000 miles on them.
I then decided to pay for a report from ClearVin, which shows that the truck was sold as salvage by IAA in 2021. Nowhere in my deal paperwork is there a disclosure that this vehicle was sold as salvage, and I would not have bought it had I known.
Should I reach out to the dealer and try to get my money back? Or should I reach out for a lawyer? The issue is that I am very tight on money with my move being so recent and upfront payment of legal fees is very difficult. Additionally, I need the use of a vehicle. The vehicle I purchased is currently acting as a yard ornament. Thankfully, I’ve been able to carpool with my wife, but that has strangled our schedules considerably.
Thank you to anyone who reads this and responds. I really appreciate it.