Dallas Jury Finds Breach of Warranty of Title, Awards $25,565
One driver bought a used car, but it broke down shortly after purchase. The seller refused to pay for repairs or provide a title. The buyer sued the seller for deceptive trade practices and breach of warranty. A jury found in favor of the buyer.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $25,565
- County
- Dallas County, TX
- Resolved
- 2017
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Other
- Accident Type
- Other
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Accident
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $25,565 is near the median of $14,473 for other cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $4,770 to $42,056, based on 190 cases in our database.
Case Overview
A jewelry store owner purchased a used 1998 BMW M3 from a used car dealer in Dallas for $9,500 on June 29, 2015. Two days later, the plaintiff's nephew picked up the vehicle, which overheated and stalled within two miles of the dealership. The car required major repairs, but the defendant refused to pay for them or refund the purchase price. The defendant also failed to apply for a certificate of title in the purchaser's name.
The plaintiff filed a lawsuit alleging deceptive trade practices, specifically a breach of the warranty of title. The defendant argued that it could not apply for a new title until the vehicle was inspected and claimed it had requested the plaintiff to arrange this inspection, which the plaintiff allegedly failed to do. The plaintiff denied receiving such a request. The jury received instructions on a seller's legal obligation to transfer good title and deliver a properly assigned title at the time of vehicle delivery.
Following a two-day trial, a Dallas jury found that the defendant breached the warranty of title. The jury awarded the plaintiff $9,500 for the vehicle's purchase price and an additional $16,065 for attorney fees, totaling $25,565.
Understanding This Case
- This case went to trial and resulted in a jury verdict. Verdicts can yield higher awards but carry the risk of receiving nothing if the jury rules against the plaintiff.
- This case was resolved in Dallas County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2017, this case reflects the legal and economic conditions of that period, including medical costs, insurance practices, and jury award trends at the time.
VerdictlyTM Score
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