Used motor vehicle dealers must give specific written disclosures when taking deposits or down payments, and extra notice applies if the customer takes delivery before the sale is final.
§796. Deposit and down payment disclosure and delivery of vehicle pending the sale A. In every transaction between a used motor vehicle dealer and a customer in which the customer provides a deposit on a used motor vehicle, the used motor vehicle dealer is required to provide a statement that the deposit given is on an agreement to purchase, and not an actual sale. The agreement shall clearly state that no transaction has actually occurred, that no sales documents have been completed, and that the deposit is merely intended as a hold on a vehicle. B. In every transaction between a used motor vehicle dealer and a customer in which the customer provides a down payment for the purchase of a used motor vehicle, the used motor vehicle dealer is required to provide, either on the bill of sale, or by separate agreement, a statement that the sale is conditioned upon certain identifiable events, such as financing or obtaining state-mandated compulsory automobile insurance. C. In every transaction between a used motor vehicle dealer and a customer in which the customer provides either a down payment or a deposit for the purchase of a used motor vehicle, the used motor vehicle dealer shall complete a disclosure statement containing the terms and conditions of the transaction, including but not limited to the following: (1) The amount of the deposit or down payment. (2) Whether the money given is either a deposit or down payment. (3) Terms and conditions for return or forfeiture of the customer's deposit or down payment. (4) A time limit in which to complete the transaction not to exceed twenty days. (5) A complete description of the motor vehicle to be sold including the make, model, year, and any identification and serial numbers. (6) The price of the vehicle and a description of the vehicle including the make, model, year, identification, and serial number and its condition. (7) The amount of the trade-in allowance and a description of the trade-in vehicle including the make, model, year, identification, and serial number and its condition. D. If the dealer allows the customer to take delivery on a vehicle which is the subject of either a deposit or a down payment, a pre-delivery sale disclosure statement from the dealer and the customer shall include the following: (1) A condition report which clearly identifies any noticeable damage to the vehicle before it is released to the customer. (2) A statement that if the dealer withdraws from the agreement to purchase, the customer will be responsible only for damages beyond normal wear and tear occurring during the customer's use of the vehicle, the amount of which may be deducted from the deposit or down payment. (3) A statement that if the customer withdraws from the agreement to purchase, the customer shall be responsible not only for damages occurring during the customer's use of the vehicle but also for usage of the vehicle at a day rate not to exceed twenty-five dollars per day and thirty-five cents per mile, which may be deducted from the deposit or down payment. A customer shall be considered as having withdrawn from the agreement if the customer intentionally provided false or fraudulent information to the dealer in connection with the transaction. (4) A statement that if the customer either withdraws from the agreement to purchase or fails to return the vehicle at the expiration of the term of the agreement, the dealer may seek repossession of the vehicle by any lawful means. (5) A statement that if the dealer withdraws from the agreement to purchase that the dealer must give written notice, by certified or registered mail, to the customer at least five days prior to taking repossession of the vehicle which may be done by any lawful means, and only upon return of the deposit in accordance with this Section. E. It shall be unlawful and constitute a violation of this Chapter for any used motor vehicle dealer to fail to follow any of the provisions of this Section. Acts 2014, No. 423, §1; Acts 2016, No. 288, §1.