(LOS ANGELES, July 5, 2006) — New rights for car buying California motorists took effect last Saturday.
The Car Buyer?s Bill of Rights, signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, creates new rules for car dealers, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California.
?The legislation was designed to protect the buying public from purchasing used cars with undisclosed damage,? said the Auto Club?s Car Buying Service Manager Dave Cavano. ?It allows consumers to get a second opinion from a trusted mechanic, and if properly enforced, should be very helpful to consumers interested in financing a vehicle. Requiring additional protections for the buying public that help them buy a quality used vehicle is a step in the right direction,? he added.
Now, auto dealers must:
- Offer (at a cost) used car buyers to pay extra for the option of returning the car within two days of purchase for a refund, minus restocking fees. This applies only to used cars purchased for less than $40,000 and driven no more than 250 miles after purchase.
- Tell customers what their credit score is.
- Itemize the cost of additional products and services included in the cost of the automobile.
- Limit the amount dealers earn from selling a vehicle loan to 2.5% for a loan up to 60 months and 2% for longer loans
- Never label a car as ?certified? if the odometer has been altered or the car has been returned through a warranty or had major damage repairs.
The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest AAA affiliate, has served members since 1900. Today, Auto Club members benefit by the organization?s roadside assistance, financial products, travel agency and trip planning services, highway and transportation safety programs, insurance products and services and automotive pricing and buying programs.
Information about these products and services is available at www.aaa.com.
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