How to Enforce Car Buying Consumer Rights

Buying a car is an exciting but sometimes trying process. You might be looking for a reliable, nice-looking car at a reasonable price, but the sales agent keeps steering you towards the shiny bullet with a fantastic price tag. Whatever you decide to buy, your consumer rights when buying a car are meant to protect you from traps and ensure that you get what you are paying for.

Instructions

1. Check your state's laws in regards to car buying. Each state may have a few unique laws. For instance, California allows buyers to return a new car within 2 days of purchase, no questions asked.

2. Decide whether you want to buy from a dealer or a private seller. Laws differ depending on whom you are buying a car from. If you are buying from a dealer, then there are laws in place to enforce your consumer rights, regulate the transaction and ensure that you receive fair treatment. There are fewer laws when you are buying from a private seller, so you would have to be more alert.

3. Expect the dealer to sell you a car that is roadworthy, of good quality and matches the description given to you. It is against the law for the dealer to sell you anything less.

4. Expect honesty. Although it is tempting for the sales agent to tell you what you would like to hear in order to make a sale, the dealer must not withhold information or give misleading information about anything that would influence your decision to buy. For instance, he should not claim that the dealership can approve your car loan when it can't.

5. Make an attempt to resolve any grievance you may have with the dealer or seller first. If you have a problem with the car's performance, they may attempt to fix it.

6. Beware of "buyer's remorse." This occurs when a buyer regrets a purchase a few days later and attempts to return it, even though it is as represented. Some car dealerships may have a very limited amount of time in which they will accept a return based on buyer's remorse, but most will enforce a no-return policy unless there is a defect.

Tips & Warnings

• Perform a background check on the used car you are buying. Amongst other things, you will want to know if the car has been in an accident.

• If you are buying a used car, consider hiring a mechanic, or someone familiar with the inner workings of a car, to check it thoroughly for the possibility of hidden problems. Many mechanical issues, like a cracked engine, will be difficult for the untrained eye to see.