We recently bought a 2003 US Honda Odyssey at a used car dealer…

You may well have a case in Small Claims Court. If you want to spend a bit of money to smooth it along and raise your odds of settling, find a paralegal who advertises doing auto claims. Even getting them to draft your pleadings will help, claiming the right things in the right places on the forms, and arranging your evidence to say the right things and be more persuasive.

I'm not saying that the inspector offered a guarantee, but if they were grossly negligent then you have a case. If you can't rely on the inspection results, then what's the point in paying for it, right?

Since the US source has disclaimed any warrantee, bringing an action against it might not be helpful. It really depends on the contract of sale. While there's an implied warrantee in every commercial contract, it's loose and can be negated if the contract is clear that the sale is conducted for the vehicle "as is". I can't review your contract in detail here, so again I recommend going to see an experienced paralegal. They know this area of law better than lawyers and work cheaper.

If you bring a Small Claims Court suit yourself, it's quite inexpensive. But if you bring a frivolous claim you might be on the hook for the other side's legal costs. Hence my recommendation for some professional help, but certainly not four thousand dollars' worth.

Good luck.

Ulysses

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