In my state there is no law that states a dealer must disclose that information about a used car UNLESS the damage occured while in dealer inventory or transport. If the car was traded in after the fact, then they don't have to say anything. New cars are a different story...

Now, to the dealers defense, they may not have known about that issue. If it doesn't show on the Carfax, then they probably won't pick up on it.

That's why I always closely inspect my cars before signing on the line. Never buy a car in the rain or at night...

Oh, and there is no "cooling off" period in Virginia either. You sign, You leave, You own it...