California Lemon Law Blog

California is now one of 31 states to offer the public online access to used car history reports after consumers rallied for DMV report procedures to be more consumer-friendly. In fact, according to a national report from the LA Times website, California residents desiring to purchase a used vehicle can now check the history of the vehicle online for a small fee of $4; a charge significantly less than other car information firms.

The new arrangement, run by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators for the Justice Department, will allow residents to purchase a detailed outline of a used car’s background, including information from insurance companies, auto-body shops, junkyards, and other sources that reveal if a car was stolen or if the odometer was modified. Prior to the new setup, the DMV had an agreement with an outside source, R. I. Polk & Co., who maintained an extensive car history database. However, that agreement gave Polk the right to sell information to the public at its own discretion.

A consumer group, Consumer Action, says the new DMV data reporting system, 18 years in the making, will help shoppers to be more careful when considering a used car and avoid poorly maintained and unsafe vehicles. To have your vehicle assessed, check out http://www.vehiclehistory.gov.

Continue reading "California DMV Makes it Easier for Consumers to Access Used Car History" »

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Posted In: Buying a Used Car , California Lemon Law , Law & Information , Used Car Fraud

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A recent U.S. News & World Report article discusses certain “deal breakers” that a consumer should look out for when buying a used car. According to the article, some of the “red flags” that consumers need to pay attention to include frame damage and models that have persistent problems or constantly fall short of quality and functionality standards (a.k.a. a lemon vehicle). The article also mentions that a car with water damage, a missing or altered Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), or a history of being used by police or as a taxi should be avoided when buying a used vehicle. It is also important for a potential car owner to spend time examining a car and to consider having a mechanic conduct a pre-purchase inspection.

In comparing purchasing a car to getting married, the report acknowledges that the process of buying a used car, and the subsequent use and care of that vehicle, involves legal, financial, and time commitments. Although many consumers rely on vehicle history reports when deciding whether or not to buy a particular car, if a previous owner did not report an accident to the police or their insurance, then it is not going to be on the history report. As a consequence, a vehicle could be damaged even if that does not appear to be the case.

While discovering that your used car has more problems than you were initially led to believe is not a pleasant experience, fortunately, consumers are protected when adversely affected by used car fraud, unfair business practices, or a lemon vehicle. For more information about how you may be able to receive a full refund or replacement vehicle, contact attorney Howard D. Silver. Call 866-49-LEMON today for a free consultation. You can also refer to Howard D. Silver’s Consumer’s Guide to Buying a Used Car in California for additional information.

Source article: http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/The-Worst-Used-Cars-You-Can-Buy/

Posted by California Lemon Law Attorney | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Buying a Used Car , California Lemon Law , Law & Information , Unfair/ Deceptive Business Practices , Used Car Fraud

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