ACA Testifies in Support of Maryland Vehicle Warranty Legislation

Feb. 12, 2018
The Auto Care Association fought for legislation that would ensure car owners are provided with important information regarding their warranty rights when purchasing or leasing a new vehicle.
Feb. 12, 2018—The Auto Care Association testified yesterday before the Maryland House of Delegates Economic Matters Committee for passage of legislation that would ensure car owners are provided with important information regarding their warranty rights when purchasing or leasing a new vehicle.

The bill, (H-434) would require auto manufacturers to provide notice to consumers within 90 days after the purchase or lease of a new vehicle of their rights under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (MMWA).

Testifying on behalf of the association, Tom Tucker, director, state government affairs, Auto Care Association, described the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (MMWA), which contains anti-tying provisions that are some of the strongest regulations protecting consumers. Specifically, 15 USC Sec. 2302 states that manufacturers may not condition any warranty to the purchase of original equipment (OE) parts or service.

“Unfortunately, many consumers are unaware of their rights under federal law when a warranty is voided due to the use of a non-original part or service,” said Tucker. “The result is that either the car owner or an independent repair shop is unfairly saddled with the cost of warranty repairs, when those costs should have been borne by the franchised dealer or new car manufacturer. This is a daily occurrence across the country, but the interactions are difficult to document since consumers rarely know their rights.”

“This simple response to the hidden abuse of consumers does not revise any federal law nor require any expenditure of state resources, but it will provide a very valuable piece of consumer education that could save them money and time and ensure that they are not misled by either the automakers or their authorized service providers,” said Tucker.

Joining the Auto Care Association to testify in support of this legislation were the Washington, Maryland, Delaware Service Station and Automotive Repair Association, (WMDA), AAA Mid-Atlantic, Tire Industry Association, LKG Corporation the Service Stations Dealers of America, B&A Auto Care (Columbia, Md.) and Wrinkler Auto Service (Gaithersburg, Md.).

Sponsored Recommendations

How one auto shop was able to order 20% more parts

Learn how one auto shop talks about the benefit of using PartsTech in their shop.

Vehicle Inspection Checklist For Auto Shops

Vehicle inspections, whether digital or on paper, are crucial for auto shops, ensuring thorough assessments and fostering trust by transparently revealing a vehicle's condition...

6 Reasons Why A Digital Vehicle Inspection Is A Must-Have

In an era of growing technology and innovation, auto repair shops must keep pace with the latest advancements to meet customers preferences and remain competitive.

How Your Auto Shop Can Now Connect To 30 Tire Suppliers For Free

Yep! We have over 50 tire suppliers in our network. And PartsTech is the only platform where you can access more than 30 of those suppliers FREE OF CHARGE.