Interpretation ID: aiam2004
1303 Merry Lane
La Marque
TX 77568;
Dear Mr. Hudson: This is in reference to your letter of July 28, 1975, to Corbusie Chevrolet Company of Bryan, Texas concerning that dealer's failure to provide you with an odometer mileage disclosure statement.; As you know, the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act (Pub L. 92-513) requires that a written disclosure of a vehicle's correct mileage be provided by the seller to the purchaser at the time ownership of a vehicle is transferred. If the correct mileage is unknown, the Act requires a statement to that effect to be furnished in written form to the buyer. This requirement is not limited to transactions where a dealer is the purchaser. It applies to all type of vehicle transfers, including the one in which you were involved.; In addition, the Act prohibits the alteration of the mileage indicate on an odometer. Violation of this provision and/or the disclosure statement provision may subject the violator to civil liability where his actions were intended to defraud the purchaser. The Act makes available to the buyer a remedy in the amount of $1,500 or treble damages whichever is greater. To obtain this remedy, section 409 of the Act provides that a private civil action be instituted in State or Federal court.; We have mailed a letter to Corbusier Chevrolet informing them of th relevant odometer law requirements (copy enclosed). If they fail to disclose the necessary mileage information, please let us know so that we may take additional steps to enforce their compliance with the law.; Sincerely, Frank Berndt, Acting Chief Counsel