Consumer Protection

Most of us purchase items new, including cars, because we assume that they'll work better than the used ones that we have. What you may not realize is how common it is for newer vehicles to have defects, though.  Lemon laws aim to protect buyers from purchasing...

When you buy a new car, you expect it to be in excellent condition. Most car buyers get to enjoy that new car smell and the performance of a brand-new vehicle for months before the thrill wears off entirely. For a tiny fraction of people buying new vehicles, their...

When you make the investment in a new vehicle, you expect it to arrive in pristine condition and function properly for years with good maintenance. Although it may depreciate in value as you use it, you probably expect to get more value out of it than you would out of...

Have you ever listened to a used car commercial on the radio or watched one on the television where a salesperson declares that they will take a trade-in regardless of its condition? Have you ever wondered what happens to all of those vehicles in bad condition? The...

Recalls are issued when cars that have already been produced and sold are found to have serious defects. In some cases, these just impact performance, but many recalls also involve safety. Either way, it means that the car is not up to the standard of quality that the...

If you feel that you've been a victim of a scam by a business or individual, then you may want to get to know the United States' Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Bureau of Consumer Protection (BCP). The BCP there to conduct investigations and stop unfair,...

Nobody wants to be hit with a surprise repair bill for their vehicle, but that doesn't mean that you should spring for an extended repair warranty for your car. Most of them probably aren't worth what they cost.There are some legitimate extended repair warranties...

There's nothing illegal about selling your car through a private sale -- as long as you aren't running an illicit car dealership."Curbstoning" occurs when dealers pretend to be private sellers offering their used vehicles for sale to the public. In reality, they're...

Water damage is one of the worst things that can happen to your vehicle. Once a car has been in a flood, the odds are good that it will never be "as good as new" again. However, that won't stop used car dealers from snapping them up for pennies on the dollar and...

Cars are expensive, so consumers often look to the only expert at hand when they're purchasing for advice: their car dealer.See the problem? The person you may be trusting for information about a vehicle has an invested interest in making that sale to you, so their...