What are the laws protecting consumers when buying new and used cars?

There are a number of statutes which protect buyers of new and used cars: The Federal Anti-Tampering Odometer Law prohibits anyone from falsifying mileage readings in the car.

The Federal Used Car Law requires used car dealers to post Buyers Guides on used cars.

The Federal Automobile Information Disclosure Act requires new car dealerships to put a sticker on the windshield or side window of the car, listing the base price of the car, the options added and their costs, as well as the dealer’s cost for transportation and the number of miles per gallon the car gets.

Unfair or Deceptive Practice Laws are the Federal Trade Commission’s way to protect consumers against conduct that “offends public policy as established by statute, common law or other means, is immoral, unethical, troublesome or corrupt, and substantially injures consumers, competitors or other business people”. It gives consumers an opportunity to demand relief for even unintentional deception on the part of the seller.