Advocacy

Massachusetts Introduces Bill to Require Warranty Disclosure

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation was introduced to require new-car dealers to provide purchasers a written statement declaring it is illegal for manufacturers or dealers to void a warranty or deny coverage because aftermarket or recycled parts were installed or because someone other than the dealer performed service. The bill will be considered by the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure for consideration.  

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act regulates warranties for the protection of consumers and provides that vehicle manufacturers may not deny warranty coverage based on the use of an aftermarket part alone. Consumers are generally unaware of the rights afforded them under the law and many are forced to absorb the costs for repairs that were properly covered under the warranty. This SEMA-supported bill would simply provide that consumers be made aware in 10-point boldface type of these basic rights. 

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.