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Cars & Motor Vehicles

Buying A New Car

New Car Buying: Consumer Tips
Advice on choosing a vehicle, choosing a dealer, contracts, and financing, and other key topics.

False Or Deceptive Advertising-New York Law (Consumer-SOS)

Pricing A New Car (Consumer-SOS)
Internet Resources on how much you should pay.

Tips On Buying A New Car

New Or Used Cars-Which Should You Buy?

Car Models-Which Ones Cost The Most To Insure

NADA Guides 
The National Automobile Dealers Association web page allows you to find values for new and used cars, trucks, recreational vehicles, boats, and even airplanes.

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Car Loans

www.eloan.com
Search thousands of loans with no hidden lender fees.

www.bankrate.com
Get the Best Rate! To get the rate of your choice,
click on "select a state" in the box above and then click on your choice.

Auto Loan Finder

Google Search On The Lowest Rates
Get the best savings for auto loans, credit cards, savings accounts and CD's, home equity loans & mortgages and unsecured credit lines.    

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False Or Deceptive Advertising

Advertising Guidelines for Auto Dealers
In conjunction with major auto dealers across New York State, the Office of the Attorney General has come up with a series of guidelines aimed at forging a more honest and therefore more competitive marketplace – thereby benefiting both dealers and consumers – by combating deceptive advertising by auto dealerships.

Buying A Used Car

Used Car Buying: Consumer Tips
Reminders for used car buyers, like learning about such important factors as the vehicle’s history and various financing options.

Used Car Pricing Guide (Various Makes and Models)
Determine price by vehicle's make, model, year, mileage and accessories.

Auto Loans (Consumer-SOS)
Where to find low rates.

How To Buy a Used Car & Avoid Scams
In depth and with lots of links.

New Or Used Cars-Which Should You Buy? (Consumer-SOS)

Finding A Low Priced Used Car Nearest You (AutoTrader.com)
Select make model and year and then enter your price range. Auto Trader will find the best deal nearest you.

Pricing Used Cars & Trade-Ins (Websites)

Vehicle History Reports: Learning About Prior Defects Before You Buy (Consumer-SOS)

Buying From a Dealer vs. a  Private Seller (Consumer-SOS)

NADA Guides 
The National Automobile Dealers Association web page allows you to find values for new and used cars, trucks, recreational vehicles, boats, and even airplanes.

Government & Non-Profit Brochures

Buying a Used Car (BBB)

Don't Get Soaked Buying a Flood-Damaged Car (BBB)

Donating Your Used Car to Charity (BBB)
From December 1997, so tax laws may have changed.

How to Get a "Peach" Instead of a "Lemon" (FTC)


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Advertising Through Auto trader
For about 30 dollars, Auto Trader can display your ad to a bevy of buyers in your area.

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Auto Repair, Tags & Other Ownership Issues
Repairs
Auto Tags
Damage Caused By Pavement
Auto Recalls
Where To Go For Help

Repairs

Trouble Shoot Your Car's Problem By Plugging in The Symptoms
Find out what's wrong with your car using our troubleshooting guide. All you need to know is what the problem feels like, looks like, smells like or sounds like.

List Of  U.S. Car Manufacturers (Includes Links)
Plus some tips on resolving complaints.

Deceptive Practices & What To Do (Consumer-SOS)

Lemon Laws For New And Leased Vehicles (Consumer-SOS)

Auto Repair Encyclopedia

Where Else To Go For Help (Consumer-SOS)


BBB Brochures

Auto Repair and Services


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Cheap Gas

Tips To Save Gas (For Your Car)

Cheapest Gas Rates In Your Area (Gasbuddy)

GasPriceWatch
Has about 380,000 volunteer spotters. Prices are color-coded for freshness, and users can filter out old entries.

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Motor Vehicle Laws
Driving Related Agencies
License, Tags, Emissions.... 
Violations & Penalties
Laws On Safety

Driving Related Agencies

New York State Department of Motor Vehicles

Department Of Transportation (DOTs) (All 50 States, Not DC)
For help with car related issues ie, car damaged caused by pavement, unsafe streets, traffic, bridges and roads, etc.

Driver-Related Forms & Applications (Consumer-SOS)
Title and registration forms, driving record forms and more.

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License, Tags, Emissions....

Driver-Related Forms & Applications (Consumer-SOS)
Title and registration forms, driving record forms and more.

New York State Department of Motor Vehicles

Practice For The Written Driver’s Test (50 States & DC)
Links to the official state practice test for your state, and to other practice tests when not available.

License Renewal Procedures For Older Drivers (All 50 States & DC)

Driver's License & Traffic Accident FAQs (Nolo.com)

Emission Testing in All 50 States & DC
Chart with Basic Facts, Fees, & other requirements for every state and DC.

Decoding Your Vehicle Identification Number
Free online VIN decoder that allows you to see the information about your vehicle like make model year and place of origin.
Click Here for an alternate site.

For More Help See Repairs, Tags, Recalls & Other Ownership Issues

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Violations & Penalties

Driver Violation Point System (New York)

Points & Driving Violations in DC & 50 States
If you've recently received a traffic ticket, DMV.ORG can tell you how to interpret the citation, help you find out how the ticket will affect your driving record and auto insurance rates, or advise how to fight the ticket if you believe you're not guilty of the offense. Also find out if your state offers the option of paying your traffic ticket online.

DUI Laws (All 50 States & DC)

Traffic Laws For All 50 States & DC 
Rules of the road, speeding, points, etc. 

Lemon Laws For New And Leased Vehicles (Consumer-SOS)

Driver's License & Traffic Accident FAQs (Nolo.com)

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Laws On Safety

Cell Phone Law (New York)

Speed Limits For Passenger Vehicles  (All 50 States & DC)

Requesting Driving Records (50 States & DC)
How to do so in every state.

Minimum Levels Of Required Auto Insurance (All 50 States & DC)

Traffic Laws For All 50 States & DC 
Rules of the road, speeding, points, etc. 

Seat Belt & Child Restraint Laws (All 50 States & DC)
Not sure how often this is updated. Also check link below.

Child Safety Laws & Regulations (All 50 States & DC) 
Child protection laws on car safety seats, seatbelts, helmets, consumer goods, swimming pools, playground structures, toys and more.

Driver's License & Traffic Accident FAQs (Nolo.com)


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Driver-Related Forms & Applications

DMV Forms & Publications (New York)
Change of address, titlle/registration, applications, accident reports, etc.

Franchise Complaint Form (New York)

AG Complaint Forms For All Occasions (New York)

DMV Forms & Publications (50 States & DC)
Choose your state. Many forms can be completed online.

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Auto Recalls

Office Of Defects Investigation Car Recall Database

www.recalls.gov
A "one stop shop" for U.S. Government recalls. Has recall information on cars, boats, medicine, consumer products, food, cosmetics and environmental products. Just follow the tabs to obtain the latest recall information, to report a dangerous product, or to learn important safety tips.

List Of  U.S. Car Manufacturers (Includes Links)
Plus some tips on resolving complaints.

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Where To Go For Help (Also For Reporting Bad Car Dealers, Sellers & Repair Shops, Etc.)

Consumer Frauds Bureau (New York)
Prosecutes businesses and individuals engaged in fraudulent, misleading, deceptive or illegal trade practices. In addition to litigating, the Bureau mediates thousands of complaints each year from individual consumers.

Office Of Attorney General For Franchises (New York)
All about franchises, what you need to know and where to complain

New York State Department of Motor Vehicles

Where To File A Consumer Complaint (AG Locations Throughout NY)

New York City Consumer Protection Laws
Laws that regulate advertising, cancellations, car rentals, caterers, contracts, credit cards, debt collection, food, flea markets, franchises, furniture & appliance delivery, jewelry, layaways, refunds, restaurants, sales & discounts, store receipts, repairs, tax preparers, and utility bill payments.

New York City Complaint Directory (Complaints Handled Not By The NY AG's Office)
A-Z Directory of where to go for help. From abandoned property to trouble with veterinarians!

BBB National Complaint Database
Find the business by name, phone number or web address. To increase the chance of finding the company you are looking for just enter a part of the company's name.

Better Business Bureaus (Throughout The U.S.)

Occupational Licensing Boards (Consumer-SOS)
Find out who regulates car dealers and repair shops.

Find The AARP In New York
The AARP offers legal advocacy for seniors and may also have state specific consumer brochures which are available to everyone.

DOTs In All 50 States & DC

National Auto Dealers Association (703) 821-7144  
Call their automated response line for disputes with new car dealers, vehicle problems, safety issues and recall information.  

Find Your Local Newspaper, Magazine, Radio & TV Stations
Give them a little bad press and you're bargaining power increases tremendously. Select your state, and then click on your county or city for the proper media to report to. (DC Not Included).

National Help Orgs For A Variety Of Consumer Problems
The Elderly, Environment, Families, Fraud, Health & Safety, Insurance The Handicapped, Medical Problems, Telemarketing and more.

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Deceptive Practices

False Or Deceptive Advertising-New York Law (Consumer-SOS)

List Of  U.S. Car Manufacturers (Includes Links)
Plus some tips on resolving complaints.

Where Else To Go For Help (Consumer-SOS)

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Sample Complaint Letters

Complaint Letter To Used Car Dealer

Complaint Letter To Consumer Protection Agency

List Of  U.S. Car Manufacturers (Includes Links)
Plus some tips on resolving complaints.

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Repossessions

Repossession of Goods: The Law In New York State

Repossessions Your Rights & Responsibilities

Where Else To Go For Help (Consumer-SOS)

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