There’s a new development for car buyers in California. Starting October 1, a law will come into play aimed at curbing deceptive practices in the auto sales industry, ultimately protecting consumers from unexpected fees, misleading terms, and aggressive sales tactics.
This legislation, known as the California Combating Auto Retail Scams (CARS Act) as outlined in Senate Bill 766, mandates that dealerships provide the total price of vehicles in their advertisements while also clarifying which features and add-ons are optional.
Senator Bill Allen of Santa Monica is the bill’s author, and it was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom last October.
According to Allen, this new legislation “will codify best-in-class protections for California car buyers.” He emphasized that it aims to make the car buying process fairer and more transparent for consumers.
Notably, the bill includes a pioneering “right to cancel” policy, allowing buyers and lessees to return vehicles valued under $50,000 within three days.
Ted Mermin, director of the California Low-Income Consumer Coalition, mentioned that this is a significant move for consumers, remarking on the often frustrating experience of car buying. He noted, “When you ask a car dealer how much a car costs, you’re going to get a three-hour wait in an office. When the CARS Act takes effect, you’re going to get a direct answer.”
This legislation pertains to both new and used vehicles with a weight of less than 100,000 pounds.
