Cars · Updated Oct 2026 · Minnesota

Dealer lied about a used car in Minnesota: what to do

Dealers who sell used cars must display the FTC Buyers Guide, which says whether the car comes with a warranty or 'as is', and it becomes part of your contract. Even an 'as is' sale does not allow a dealer to lie about the car's condition, title or mileage; federal odometer law and state consumer protection laws give you options. There is generally no automatic right to return a car, so act on proof, in writing, and watch your deadline.

This plan is general legal information, not legal advice. RobinClaim is not a law firm. Laws and deadlines change and have exceptions: check with the official source or a lawyer or legal aid office about your own case.

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Your plan for Minnesota

Do now

  1. Collect your Buyers Guide, sales contract, any ads or texts describing the car, and the title and odometer statement.

    Why: Your claim depends on what the dealer said and wrote; the Buyers Guide is part of your contract.

  2. Get an independent mechanic's written inspection describing the problem and, if possible, whether it existed before you bought the car.

    Why: A neutral written report is strong proof.

  3. If you answered “Title (salvage, flood, rebuilt)” to “What did the dealer lie about or hide?”

    Check the car's title and history with the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) through an approved provider.

    Why: It can show salvage, flood or junk brands and odometer readings.

  4. If you answered “Mileage / odometer” to “What did the dealer lie about or hide?”

    Compare the mileage on your odometer statement with earlier records (service records, inspection reports, title history).

    Why: Federal law requires a written mileage disclosure when ownership of most vehicles is transferred (some older vehicles are exempt).

This week

  1. Write to the dealer (template below): say what was misrepresented, attach your proof, and say what you want (repair, refund, or cancel the deal).

    Why: A written demand gives the dealer a chance to fix it and creates a record.

  2. If you answered “Dealer Warranty” to “What does the Buyers Guide (window sticker) say?”

    If the Buyers Guide shows a dealer warranty, ask for the repair under that warranty in writing.

    Why: The Buyers Guide terms override contrary terms in the sales contract.

  3. If you answered “Yes” to “Did you finance through the dealer?”

    If you financed, tell the lender in writing about the dispute, and keep making payments while it is resolved. If the lender does not handle your dispute properly, you can complain to the CFPB.

    Why: Stopping payments can lead to repossession and credit damage.

  4. Check your state's used-car rules (link below): some states require dealer warranties or limit 'as is' sales.

    Why: Your state may give you more protection than federal law.

  5. If you answered “Warranty or price terms” to “What did the dealer lie about or hide?”

    Compare what you were promised about the warranty or price with the Buyers Guide and the sales contract, and save any ads, texts or emails that show the promise.

    Why: Written promises are much easier to prove than spoken ones, and the Buyers Guide is part of your contract.

If it's not resolved

  1. File a complaint with your state attorney general or consumer protection office, and with the state dealer licensing agency if your state has one.

    Why: These offices handle dealer complaints and can act against licensed dealers.

  2. If you answered “There was no Buyers Guide” to “What does the Buyers Guide (window sticker) say?”

    Report the dealer to the FTC.

    Why: The FTC enforces the Used Car Rule (Buyers Guide).

  3. If you answered “Mileage / odometer” to “What did the dealer lie about or hide?”

    For odometer fraud, you can sue under federal law within 2 years; a dealer who acted with intent to defraud owes 3 times your actual damages or $10,000, whichever is greater, plus attorney fees.

    Why: This federal law makes odometer cases worthwhile even when the dollar loss is small.

  4. For smaller losses, you can sue in small claims court up to your state's limit. Watch your state's deadlines for fraud and contract claims.

    Why: Small claims is designed for people without lawyers.

Deadlines

Federal odometer fraud lawsuit

General rule: Within 2 years after the claim arises (49 U.S.C. § 32710(b)).

Official source

Deadline to sue for fraud (lying to get you to buy)

General rule: see state

In Minnesota:

6 years

checked Oct 2026 · From Small Claims Map: Minnesota

Deadline to sue over a written contract

General rule: see state

In Minnesota:

6 years

checked Oct 2026 · From Small Claims Map: Minnesota

State used-car warranty or lemon rules

General rule: see state

In Minnesota:

Yes. Minnesota's used car warranty law (Minn. Stat. § 325F.662) requires dealers to warrant key parts on most used cars: 60 days/2,500 miles under 36,000 miles; 30 days/1,000 miles for 36,000–74,999; 15 days/500 miles for 75,000–199,999 (with exceptions). The lemon law itself also covers used cars still under the original manufacturer's warranty.

Law: Minn. Stat. § 325F.662 · checked Oct 2026 · From Lemon Car Map: Minnesota

Key facts for Minnesota

Lemon Car Map

Lemon law period
24 months
What makes it a lemon
4 repairs · 1 if unsafe · 30 business days
Covers used cars
Yes
Before you sue
Required

Lemon Car Map: Minnesota · checked Oct 2026

Small Claims Map

Most you can sue for
$20,000
Court
Conciliation Court
Filing fee
$65
Lawyers
Optional

Small Claims Map: Minnesota

Documents to gather

  • FTC Buyers Guide from the window
  • Sales contract and finance contract
  • Odometer disclosure statement and title
  • Ads, listing screenshots, texts and emails
  • Independent mechanic's inspection report
  • Vehicle history or NMVTIS report
  • Repair bills since purchase

Letters you can send

Fill in the blanks; the letter updates as you type. Copy it, print it or save it as a text file. Nothing you type is sent or saved: it stays on this page until you close it.

Letter to the dealer about a misrepresented used car

Tell the dealer in writing what was misrepresented and what you want, with proof attached.

[Date of letter]

To: [Dealer name], [Dealer address]
Re: [Vehicle year make model], VIN [Vin], bought [Purchase date]

When I bought this vehicle, I was told: [What dealer said].
This was not true: [What is true].

I have attached: [Proof list].

I am asking you to [Remedy requested]. Please respond in writing by [Respond by date]. If we cannot resolve this, I may file complaints with the state attorney general and the dealer licensing agency, and I may file a claim in court.

[Your name]
[Your address]

Where to go

Costs

Complaints to the attorney general, FTC and CFPB are free. An NMVTIS report from an approved provider costs a few dollars. Small claims court is the low-cost option for money disputes up to your state's limit (see the smallclaimsmap link for your state's limit and filing fee). Filing fees there are usually tens of dollars, and you can ask the court to waive them if you cannot afford them. Federal odometer law makes the dealer pay your attorney fees if you win.

Talk to a lawyer if

  • The odometer was rolled back or mileage was misstated
  • The car has a hidden salvage or flood title
  • Your loss is more than the small claims limit
  • The dealer arranged financing with terms that were changed or hidden
  • The car is unsafe to drive

Free help

Free legal aid: the Legal Services Corporation's 'I Need Legal Help' page (lsc.gov) finds the legal aid office for your area, and LawHelp.org lists free legal help by state. Many state bar associations run lawyer referral services with low-cost first meetings. Your state attorney general or consumer protection office takes consumer complaints for free (find it on USA.gov).

Guides for your state

Guides for every state

Questions

What is the federal odometer fraud lawsuit?

Within 2 years after the claim arises (49 U.S.C. § 32710(b)).

What is the deadline to sue for fraud (lying to get you to buy) in Minnesota?

6 years

What is the deadline to sue over a written contract in Minnesota?

6 years

What is the state used-car warranty or lemon rules in Minnesota?

Yes. Minnesota's used car warranty law (Minn. Stat. § 325F.662) requires dealers to warrant key parts on most used cars: 60 days/2,500 miles under 36,000 miles; 30 days/1,000 miles for 36,000–74,999; 15 days/500 miles for 75,000–199,999 (with exceptions). The lemon law itself also covers used cars still under the original manufacturer's warranty. (Minn. Stat. § 325F.662)

When should I talk to a lawyer?

The odometer was rolled back or mileage was misstated; The car has a hidden salvage or flood title; Your loss is more than the small claims limit; The dealer arranged financing with terms that were changed or hidden; The car is unsafe to drive.

How much does it cost?

Complaints to the attorney general, FTC and CFPB are free. An NMVTIS report from an approved provider costs a few dollars. Small claims court is the low-cost option for money disputes up to your state's limit (see the smallclaimsmap link for your state's limit and filing fee). Filing fees there are usually tens of dollars, and you can ask the court to waive them if you cannot afford them. Federal odometer law makes the dealer pay your attorney fees if you win.

Plans by state

Open the plan with one state's rules filled in:

Sources

Plan checked Oct 2026. Independently fact-checked 2026-10-24.

This plan is general legal information, not legal advice. RobinClaim is not a law firm. Laws and deadlines change and have exceptions: check with the official source or a lawyer or legal aid office about your own case. How we research.