Sally Entered into a Contract to Purchase a Car at Acme

question 60

Essay

Sally entered into a contract to purchase a car at Acme Auto Sales. During a sales pitch, the Acme salesperson told Sally that the automobile was in excellent condition and that she could expect to drive it for many years because of its extremely low mileage. The odometer on the automobile read 10,000 miles. A week after her car purchase, Sally took the car to a trusted mechanic to get the engine checked out. The mechanic inspected the engine and told Sally that the car had many more miles on it than the odometer indicated. The mechanic told Sally that she had undoubtedly been the victim of odometer rollback.
What kind of fraud (intentional misrepresentation) was likely committed? Why?
What are the required elements of fraud and were all of these elements present in this scenario?

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Definitions:

Folkways

The least important norms and violating them evokes the least severe punishment.

Mores

Core norms that most people believe are essential for the survival of their group or society.

Laws

The system of rules created and enforced through social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior, ensuring order, safety, and justice within a society.

Taboos

Are among the strongest norms. When someone violates a taboo, it causes revulsion in the community, and punishment is severe.