April 7, 2025 (SAINT PAUL) – The Minnesota Court of Appeals today unanimously affirmed a temporary injunction against Fridley used-car dealer Midwest Car Search and owner Scott Spiczka. On April 23, 2024, Attorney General Ellison filed a consumer-protection lawsuit against Midwest Car Search and Mr. Spiczka, alleging that Midwest Car Search (1) misrepresents that its used cars are certified when they are not; (2) illegally adds expensive vehicle service contracts to consumers’ purchases without their consent; (3) refuses to provide warranties that it is required to provide by law; (4) fails to provide easy-to-understand “Buyer’s Guide” disclosures as required by law; and (5) conducts business under an unregistered trade name that heavily targets and exploits Spanish speakers. On July 30, 2024, Anoka County District Court granted Attorney General Ellison’s motion for a temporary injunction against Midwest Car Search, which the Court of Appeals upheld today.
Today’s ruling means the temporary injunction remains in effect until the Attorney General’s lawsuit against Midwest Car search is resolved. The temporary injunction the Attorney General obtained requires Midwest Car Search and Mr. Spiczka to: (1) stop marketing and selling their used cars as “certified;” (2) make clear and conspicuous disclosures about the expensive, optional product known as “vehicle service contracts” that Midwest Car Search sells; (3) disclose and honor warranties required by law; (4) provide easy-to-understand “Buyer’s Guide” disclosures; (5) cease conducting business under an unregistered trade name that targets Spanish speakers; and (6) provide disclosures and sales documents to consumers in Spanish whenever a sale is conducted in Spanish.
“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,” Attorney General Ellison said. “The Court’s order protects Minnesotans consumers by prohibiting the defendants from engaging in any more deceptive or unlawful practices until my lawsuit against them is resolved.”…