When people in Philadelphia buy a car, they could face a range of consumer protection pitfalls. While some defective cars that continue to fail repeatedly despite being sold under warranty are classified as lemons, in other cases, the transaction becomes a matter of auto fraud above and beyond the sale of a car with mechanical defects.
Lemon laws and auto fraud can combine in some cases
FTC's lemon law gets an update
The Federal Trade Commission established its Used Car Rule in 1985. It places certain requirements on used car dealers operating in Pennsylvania and the rest of the U.S. Dealers are required to put a Buyers Guide on all of the vehicles they offer for sale. The Buyers Guide includes warranty information and other details that customers can use to make buying decisions. Following a solicitation of public comments, the FTC has amended the Used Car Rule to include new required disclosures.
Beware of common hidden damage to cars
Whether you are buying a new or used car, there's always the potential risk of prior damage. You will want your mechanic to thoroughly check the vehicle before a purchase. However, there are some common hidden damages you can check for right away.
