The Minnesota Court of Appeals has unanimously upheld a temporary injunction against Fridley-based used-car dealer Midwest Car Search and its owner, Scott Spiczka. This development comes in the wake of a consumer-protection lawsuit filed by Attorney General Keith Ellison on April 23, 2024. The lawsuit includes multiple allegations against the company and its owner. Among these are claims that Midwest Car Search misrepresents their used vehicles as certified without merit, adds costly service contracts without customer consent, and fails to provide legally required warranties or straightforward "Buyer's Guide" disclosures. The lawsuit further accuses the business of exploiting Spanish-speaking customers through the use of an unregistered trade name.
Initially, the Anoka County District Court ruled in favor of a temporary injunction on July 30, 2024, a decision that the Court of Appeals has since confirmed. As a result, Midwest Car Search and Mr. Spiczka are mandated to stop marketing vehicles as "certified," clarify details about "vehicle service contracts," honor required warranties, provide proper disclosures, halt the use of an unregistered trade name, and issue sales documents in Spanish when needed.
Attorney General Ellison reacted positively to the court's decision, saying, “A car is a necessity for many, and Minnesotans should be able to shop for cars without having to worry about being deceived or defrauded—which is what we allege Midwest Car Search and Scott Spiczka have done. I applaud the Court’s decision confirming that they must provide customers with honest information and the fair dealings that they are entitled to when buying a car.”
In the ongoing lawsuit, the Attorney General seeks several outcomes, including making the court-ordered business reforms permanent, providing refunds to affected consumers, civil penalties, and recovering investigation costs and attorneys' fees.
Consumers with concerns or complaints about auto dealers are encouraged to contact the Attorney General’s Office. They can reach the office online, call (651) 296-3353 or (800) 657-3787, or use Minnesota Relay at (800) 627-3529. Publications on car purchasing are also available through the office.