Used-car protection proposed

Thursday, March 8, 2001 | 10:44 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- The old consumer warning "buyer beware" doesn't always help people purchasing used cars.

That's because Nevada has no law requiring disclosure if a car was previously in a serious car accident, flood or natural disaster.

To prevent the sale of cars that are rebuilt with dangerous parts remaining, Assembly Bill 207 was sponsored by Assemblywoman Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas.

"This is an important consumer-protection and safety measure," Buckley said during testimony Wednesday before the Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee.

Because 25 percent of all vehicle sales involve used vehicles, the disclosure could help prevent the estimated 1 percent of used vehicle sales involving a rebuilt car with a laundered title, witnesses testified.

Lobbyists for car dealers testified against the measure, saying dealers often buy cars from auctions and do not know the car's entire history.

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