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Written by Administrator
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Wednesday, 30 July 2008 22:59 |
Whenever you take a vehicle to the shop:
• Choose a reliable repair shop . Family, friends or an
independent consumer rating organization should
be able to help you . Look for shops that display
various certifications that are current . You should
also check out the shop’s record with your state or
local consumer protection office (p . 127) or Better
Business Bureau (p . 65) .
• Describe the symptoms . Don’t try to diagnose
the problem .
• Make it clear that work cannot begin until you have a
written estimate and you give your okay . Never sign a
blank repair order . If the problem can’t be diagnosed
on the spot, insist that the shop contact you for
authorization once the trouble has been found .
• Ask the shop to keep the old parts for you .
• If a repair is covered under warranty, follow the
warranty instructions .
• Get all repair warranties in writing .
• Keep copies of all paperwork .
Some states, cities and counties have special laws
that deal with auto repairs . For information on the
laws in your state, contact your state or local
consumer protection office (p . 127) . |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 27 January 2009 00:52 )
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Recalls, Lemon Laws, and Warranties |
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Written by Administrator
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Wednesday, 30 July 2008 22:56 |
Sometimes a manufacturer makes a design or
production mistake on a motor vehicle . If dealers
report a number of complaints about a certain part or
vehicle, the manufacturer may allow dealers to repair
the problem at no cost to you even if the warranty has
expired . A service bulletin notifies the dealer of the
problem and how to resolve it . Because these free
repairs are not publicized, they are called “secret
warranties .” The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (p . 116) maintains a database of
service bulletins filed by manufacturers .
If you have a problem with a vehicle that is a safety
hazard, check whether the manufacturer has recalled
your vehicle . Hazards that aren’t listed should be
reported to your dealer, the manufacturer of the vehicle
(p . 61), and NHTSA . If a safety-related defect exists,
the maker must fix it at no cost to you—even if your
warranty has expired .
If you have a vehicle with a unique problem that just
never seems to get fixed, you may have a lemon . Some
states have laws concerning lemons that require a
refund or replacement if a problem is not fixed within
a reasonable number of tries or if you haven’t been
able to use your vehicle for a certain number of days .
Contact your state or local consumer protection office
(p . 127) to learn whether you have such protections
and what steps you must take to solve your problem .
If you believe your car is a lemon:
• Give the dealer a list of the problems every time you
bring it in for repairs .
• Get and keep copies of the repair orders listing the
problems, the work done, and the dates the car was
in the shop . |
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Written by Administrator
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Wednesday, 30 July 2008 22:55 |
When you lease, you pay to drive someone else’s
vehicle . Monthly lease payments may be lower than
loan payments, but at the end of the lease you have no
ownership or equity in the car . To get the best deal,
follow the advice below in addition to the general
suggestions for buying a car (p . 6) .
• To help you compare leasing versus owning, the
Consumer Leasing Act requires leasing companies
to give you information on monthly payments and
other charges . Check out www .leaseguide .com,
www .leasecompare .com and www .leasesource .com
for online information on leases including current
lease deals .
• Consider using an independent agent rather
than the dealer . You might find a better deal .
Most financial institutions that offer auto financing
also offer leasing options .
• Ask for details on wear and tear standards . Dings
that you regard as normal wear and tear could be
billed as significant damage at the end of your lease .
• Find out how many miles you can drive in a year .
Most leases allow 12,000 to 15,000 miles a year .
Expect a charge of 10 to 25 cents for each
additional mile .
• Check the manufacturer’s warranty . It should cover
the entire lease term and the number of miles you are
likely to drive .
• Ask the dealer what happens if you give up the car
before the end of your lease . There may be extra fees
for doing so .
• Ask what happens if the car is involved in an
accident .
• Get all the terms in writing . Everything included
with the car should be listed on the lease to avoid
being charged for “missing” equipment later .
The Federal Reserve Board of Governors
offers a consumer guide to auto leasing at
www .federalreserve .gov/pubs/leasing/ . |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 15 August 2008 20:38 )
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Written by Administrator
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Wednesday, 30 July 2008 22:58 |
Federal law does not cover short-term car and truck
rentals, but some state laws do . Contact your state
or local consumer protection office for
information or to file a complaint .
• Ask in advance if there are any charges besides the
stated rental fee . There may be an airport surcharge
or drop-off fees, insurance fees, fuel charges,
mileage fees, taxes, additional-driver fees, under-
aged driver fees, and equipment rental fees
(for items such as ski racks and car seats) .
• Ask if the rental company checks the driving records
of customers when they arrive at the counter . If so,
you could be rejected even if you have a confirmed
reservation .
• Check in advance to be sure you aren’t duplicating
insurance coverage . If you’re traveling on business,
your employer might have insurance that covers
damage to the vehicle if you are in an accident . You
might also have coverage through your personal
auto insurance, a motor club membership, or the
credit card you used to reserve the rental .
• Carefully inspect the vehicle and its tires
before renting .
• Check refueling policies and charges .
• Ask the rental company if a deposit is required .
If so, ask for a clear explanation of the deposit
refund procedures . |
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Written by Administrator
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Wednesday, 30 July 2008 22:54 |
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Curb Stoning & Title Washing
Curb stoning occurs when a dealer has an inferior
or damaged car he can’t sell on his lot . He gives the
car to a salesperson to sell through the classifieds,
as if it were a private party sale . A title history
report will show that the title recently changed
hands and could reveal that it is a lemon or an
otherwise branded car . Be suspicious if the seller’s
name is different from the name on the title .
Title washing occurs when scam artists try to sell a
salvage vehicle by concealing its history of damage
from a buyer . Although a vehicle’s title should show
if it has been damaged or salvaged, some states do
not document titles in the same way as other states .
By moving a vehicle and its title through several
different states, con artists try to “wash” out the
title branding of salvage or damage . The best way
to avoid this trick is to buy only from reputable
dealers and/or to get a title guarantee in writing . Dealers Posing As Individuals
Some dealers pretend to be private sellers to avoid
legal obligations and to sell problematic cars to
unsuspecting buyers . Be wary: if an ad gives only a
mobile number or specifies a time to call; if the same
number appears in several ads; or the seller wants to
bring the car to you or meet you somewhere .
Credit And Sublease brokers
Con artists often prey on people who have bad
credit and who cannot get car loans . “Credit
brokers” promise to get a loan for you in exchange
for a high fee . In many cases, the “broker” takes
the fee and disappears . “Sublease brokers” charge
a fee to arrange for you to “sublease” or “take
over” someone else’s car lease or loan . Such deals
usually violate the original loan or lease agreement .
Your car can be repossessed even if you’ve made
all of your payments . You also might have trouble
insuring your car .
• Contact the manufacturer, as well as the dealer, to
report the problem . Check your owner’s manual or
the directory for the auto manufacturer (p . 61) .
• Help other consumers avoid purchasing your lemon
by registering it at www .safetyforum .com .
The Center for Auto Safety gathers
information and complaints concerning safety defects,
recalls, service bulletins and state lemon laws . |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 30 July 2008 22:58 )
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