Attorney General Sues Naugatuck Used Car Dealership Over 'Deceptive Sales': Feds

NAUGATUCK, CT — Attorney General William Tong announced Tuesday he is suing a Naugatuck used car dealership accused of "deceptive sales of potentially unsafe vehicles."

According to a news release provided by the Office of the Attorney General, the lawsuit against A Better Way Wholesale Autos, Inc. accuses the dealership of selling used vehicles lacking necessary safety inspections and related documentation.

The Office of the Attorney General first began investigating the dealership in 2021 after receiving numerous consumer complaints.

Consumers reported the vehicles were not inspected prior to sale or putting down deposits and complained of defective engines, transmissions, suspensions and other major components discovered shortly after sale, including undriveable cars, according to the release.

Other complaints referenced undisclosed damage, accident histories and flood damage, the office said.

"A Better Way Wholesale Autos failed to complete and document critical safety inspections that are required by law," Tong said in a news release. "They appear to have sold damaged used cars and hidden relevant information from consumers. Their egregious actions are a clear violation of state statutes that imperiled the safety of their customers and others on the road. We gave A Better Way every chance to work with us to clean up their act and do right by their customers. They failed. We are filing this action today to hold them accountable for these deceptive practices."

State statute requires a comprehensive safety inspection prior to any retail used car sale. Any defects not repaired must be noted, according to the release.

Any vehicle sold in "as is" condition must be prominently marked as such, and the purchase order, invoice, title and assignment documents must all be marked as "not in condition for legal operation on the highways," according to the release.

The complaint accuses A Better Way Wholesale Autos of making untrue or misleading statements to consumers regarding the features, performance and characteristics of the vehicles it offered and sold, according to the release.

The dealership is also accused of leading consumers to falsely believe their vehicles were safe, inspected, roadworthy as advertised and would not require further safety inspections or repairs, according to the release.

"While it is always wrong to mislead consumers about what they are purchasing, it is particularly egregious to do so when that misinformation puts those consumers and others on the road in physical danger," Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli said in a news release. "Comprehensive safety inspections are required for a reason and we are hopeful this action will prevent future unsafe vehicles from being sold to unwitting consumers."

Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Tony Guerrera noted there are safeguards in place to ensure consumer protection.

"We handle all complaints, including those concerning used car warranties," Guerrera said in a news release, "with the highest level of seriousness."

The Office of the Attorney General is seeking restitution for harmed consumers, civil penalties up to $5,000 per individual violation of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act and injunctive relief forcing A Better Way to fully comply with state laws, according to the release.