AG's Lawsuit Shuts Down Weymouth Auto Dealer That Sold Lemons

WEYMOUTH, MA — An auto deal with locations in Weymouth, Abington, and Quincy is no more following legal action from the state's Attorney General's ofice.

Attorney General Maura Healey announced Wednesday that Auto Number One will close their business and pay restitution for selling unsafe and unreliable used cars, failing to make repairs which were promised or required under warranties, and operating in unlicensed locations.

“This dealership scammed hard-working Massachusetts residents who were looking for a good deal and sold vehicles that put consumers’ lives, families, and others at risk,” Healey said in a statement. “Not only were these vehicles dangerous, many of the drivers were left with unreliable or unusable cars and significant debt.”

The judgement out of Suffolk Superior Court resolves the state's lawsuit against Auto Number One and its owner Mark Hanna, who was accused of routinely made false representations to consumers that cars were in good working order or would be repaired, the AG's office said

As part of the settlement, Auto Number One will close their locations and pay nearly $25,000 in consumer restitution and $85,000 in civil penalties and attorneys’ fees that will be suspended pending the defendants’ compliance with the terms of the consent judgment.

The suit, filed last year, accused the dealers of selling vehicles that failed to pass inspection and refused to provide refunds or make repairs or promised to make repairs but then did not do so. Additionally, the complaint alleged that Auto Number One retained vehicles during consumers’ seven-day inspection period, so that consumers would be unable to exercise their rights under the Lemon Aid Law.

Additionally, Auto Number One advertised and sold vehicles from locations where it was not licensed to do so, including in Weymouth and Quincy.

Image via Shutterstock