Consumer Rights Resources

Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) of Virginia's explanation of the Virginia Lemon Law.

Use this website to look up a vehicle's Title History.  NMVTIS is administered by the US Justice Department.
NMVTIS reports provide data on five key indicators, intended to prevent auto fraud and theft:
1.  Current Titling State & Last Title Date
2.  Brand History.  Brand information, applied by state motor vehicle titling agencies, including junk, slavage and flood.
3.  Odometer Reading
4.  Total Loss History
5.  Salvage History

Provide General Information About your Vehicle

Chrysler Recall, Lemon Law, Auto Fraud

The Center for Auto Safety is in the business of keeping you safe.  They have suceeded in getting lemon laws in every state, airbags in every car, and more recalls that the auto industry wants to admit.   

Vehicle pricing and information.

Consumers Union and Ralph Nader founded the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) in 1970 to provide consumers a voice for auto safety and quality in Washington and to help lemon owners fight back across the country.

View instructions on how to give notice to the manufacturer

View a sample letter to put the manufacturer on notice

If you need to put the manufacturer on notice, here is a list of addresses for various Automobile Manufacturers.

One stop lemon law information source.

Find another state Lemon Lawyer.

Your Lemon Law information source for Lemons in all 50 states.

Eight Tips for Buying Cars

The Center for the Study of Services (CSS) is an independent, nonprofit consumer organization and the creator of Consumer Checkbook. CSS’s CarBargains pits dealers against each other, keeping you from haggling.

To identify vehicles that have flood damage, check the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) Database.

Find out if your car is an active recall vehicle.  Enter your VIN number and find out.

Center for Auto Safety has helped get lemon laws in every state, airbags in every car, and more recalls that the auto industry wants to admit.

NMVTIS is administered by the US Justice Department.  The report, which costs $2.00 for each request, provides data on the 5 key indicators, intended to prevent auto fraud and theft:
1.  Curent Titling State and Last Title Date
2.  Brand History:  Brand information, applied by state motor vehicle titling agencies, including junk, salvage and flood.
3.  Odometer Reading
4.  Total Loss History
5.  Salvage History

How reliable is a CARFAX report?  Consumer Attorney John Gayle with The Consumer Law Group in Richmond talks about the reliability of your CARFAX report and what you need to do when buying a used car.

Eight Tips For Buying Cars

Under the Motorists section of the ASE website you will find important information about why you should seek ASE-Certified professionals when looking for a repair shop as well as information on the care and upkeep of your vehicle.

The Motor Vehicle Dealer Board will administer sections of the Commonwealth’s Motor Vehicle Dealer Laws and Regulations as charged; promote the best interests of both the automotive consumer and dealer body; and process all motor vehicle related complaints promptly and professionally; while providing a high level of customer service.

Before you buy a used vehicle, have it inspected by a qualified mechanic that routinely does automotive diagnostic work. A thorough diagnostic should cost around $120. This organization certifies diagnostic shops.

Edmunds.com provides “True Market Value” pricing, unbiased car reviews, ratings, and expert advice to help you get a fair deal.

Order a CarFax Vehicle History Report, which is the first step to protecting yourself against buying used cars with costly hidden problems.

Get a Vehicle History Report to help you make a purchase decision.

Every consumer should know the law in order to protect your rights. Read The Virginia Consumer Protection Act.

Equifax Information Services, LLC.
P.O. Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30348

This is the form you need to fill out to get your Annual Credit Report.

This is a central site that allows you to request a free credit report once every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

P.O. Box 9595 Allen, TX 75013 (800) 583-4080 FEE: $9.00 ($3.00 for MN residents)

Consumer Relations Center P.O. Box 1000 Chester, PA 19016-1000 (800) 888-4213 FEE: $9.00 ($3.00 for MN residents)

P.O. Box 105873 Atlanta, GA 30348 (800) 685-1111 FEE: $9.00 ($3.00 for MN residents)

The official Web site to distribute a free yearly credit report from each of the three major credit-reporting bureaus.

Attorneys Representing Consumers.

A great way to find lawyers in your area.

Virginia Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice Attorney

Affordable Debt Help Services by Licensed Attorneys

Why you should save $50 per month for car repairs.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website contains useful information on safety standards, crash tests, recalls, technical service bulletins, child seats, and safety advisories.

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

EPA's responsibilities include setting and enforcing air and noise emission standards for motor vehicles and measuring fuel economy in new vehicles (EPA Fuel Economy Guide).

Consumer Attorney, John Cole Gayle, Jr. responds to questions about Comcast and Verizon outages due to Hurricane Irene. 

Inspiring report published in the NY Times, by Lisa Margonelli of the New America Foundation - shows what a difference it makes in a family's life to get a fair deal in an auto transaction after being ripped off. 

TrueCar helps you research new car prices and find the best deals in your area.

NMVTIS is an electronic system that enables users to access automobile titling information, including brand history and certain historical theft data.

The DOJ enforces federal law that requires manufacturers to label new automobiles and forbids removal or alteration of labels before delivery to consumers.  labels must contain make, model, vehicle identification number, dealer's name, suggested base price, and manufacturer's suggested retail price.

The FTC regulates advertising, credit practices, marketing abuses, and professional services and ensures that products are properly labeled (as in fuel economy ratings).  The commission covers unfair or deceptive trade practices in motor vehicle sales and repairs, as well as non-safety defects.

Advocates and distributes information for better driving behavior and vehicle safety.

Excellent information and training on child safety seats and safety belt usage.

The Project's mission is to preserve and broaden access to historical and current information about motor vehicle hazards and injury control.  The website offers free information about vehicle safety and motor vehicle hazard control.

Safety and advocacy related to protecting children in and around motor vehicles.

Auto safety, airbags, and lemon laws.

Complaint handling and advocacy related to consumer rights.

An alliance of consumer, health, and safety groups, and insurance companies.

This guide will help you determine if your trade-in and new vehicle qualify for the CARS program and, if so, how much your trade-in is worth.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is an independent, nonprofit, scientific, and educational organization dedicated to reducing the losses — deaths, injuries, and property damage - from crashes on the nation's highways.

CarBargains’ new car shopping service uses competitive bidding to find you the best price on your new car. The nonprofit's service is unique.

Vehicle pricing and information.

Consumers Union and Ralph Nader founded the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) in 1970 to provide consumers a voice for auto safety and quality in Washington and to help lemon owners fight back across the country.

Start With Trust

Our Mission: Save lives, prevent injuries, reduce vehicle-related crashes.

Lists of Defects and Recalls. Search for any Service Bulletins before you purchase a used vehicle.

A place where consumers can find information related to Autos, Boats, Trucks, Minivans, Motorcycles, RVs, SUVs and the Lemon Law.

Helping Consumers Express Their Voice, Helping Companies Prime Their Ears.

Kelley Blue Book

Buy, Sell, Research, and get Shopping Advice on New and Used Vehicles.

Research and compare vehicles.

NCLC

NACA