Legislation recently introduced in the U.S. Senate aims to ensure the safety and reliability of used cars.
The Used Car Safety Recall Repair Act would prevent the sale of used vehicles with safety defects by prohibiting auto dealers from selling, leasing, or loaning vehicles with unrepaired open recalls to consumers. Under the law, car dealers would be required to repair any outstanding safety recalls. Current federal law does not prohibit car dealers from selling cars with open recalls.
The bill would also incentivize dealers to swiftly repair recalls by allowing them to sell recalled vehicles to other dealers who have the ability to fix the defects.
Finally, the bill would require manufacturers to provide dealers with the necessary parts to repair safety defects within 60 days or, if they cannot provide the necessary parts, reimburse dealers.
U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) introduced the bill.
“Whether a car is brand new or used, nobody should be at risk of purchasing an unsafe car,” Markey said. “Let’s close this loophole so that drivers, passengers, and pedestrians are safe once and for all.”
The bill has the support of numerous safety organizations including Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety.