FORT LAUDERDALE — A Broward County woman is suing a Deerfield Beach vehicle dealer, alleging fraud and negligent misrepresentation.
N'Jie E. Joinville filed a lawsuit Nov. 15 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida Fort Lauderdale Division against Express Automotive Inc. and Alan N. Couto, alleging the defendants obtained profit through unfair or deceptive trade or commerce by selling a vehicle with incorrect mileage on the odometer.
According to the complaint, on Feb. 24, Joinville purchased a used 2008 Chrysler Sebring convertible from Express Automotive, with an odometer reading of 46,585 miles and a purchase price of $6,892.10. The suit says shortly after leaving the dealership, the car had significant mechanical problems that were not expected with a low-mileage vehicle.
The lawsuit states personnel at a local repair shop informed Joinville the vehicle had substantially greater mileage than represented by the defendants, and was further evidenced by a CarFax report stating the actual mileage of 116,742 miles in 2015. As a result, she suffered monetary losses, the suit says.
The plaintiff alleges the defendants made false, deceptive or misleading statements regarding the sale of the vehicle, and caused Joinville to pay a premium price for what she thought was a satisfactory vehicle.
Joinville seeks trial by jury, judgment for damages against the defendant, plus interest and court costs. She is represented by attorney Robert W. Murphy of Fort Lauderdale.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida Fort Lauderdale Division Case number 16-cv-62696