For many reasons, the automobile market in Kansas City and across the country is incredibly hot. In fact, the average cost of new cars in the U.S. increased by nearly 5% in just one year. If you want to buy a used car, you can expect to pay roughly 21% more than you would have just a year ago.
Whether you are in the market for a new or used car, you never can eliminate your chances of ending up with a lemon. Still, the auto dealer should not deceive you into purchasing a jalopy. To keep dealers honest, Kansas law requires them to make certain disclosures to buyers.
General disclosures
There are two primary disclosures auto dealers must make. First, they must tell you if the vehicle had been a training or leased vehicle. Second, the dealer must inform you if the vehicle was an automaker buyback or if someone had returned it because of warranty-related issues.
Additional disclosures
In Kansas, auto dealers also must give you enough information to make an informed purchase. They typically do this by creating buyer’s guides. Generally, among other details, auto dealers must disclose the following:
- The vehicle identification number
- The year, make and model of the vehicle
- Any potential problems with the 14 major mechanical systems on the vehicle
- The vehicle’s warranty or lack thereof
The dealer must tell you whether pre-purchase inspections are acceptable. Ultimately, while a pre-purchase inspection may help you buy a good vehicle, you also may be able to take legal action against a dealer that does not disclose material information.