Auto Guide for Consumers
This guide published by the SC Department of Consumer Affairs provides a roadmap for purchasing a vehicle, including information on financing, fees, and scams.
Auto Issues - Know Your Rights When Car Buying Goes Wrong
This web page contains information on the laws that protect consumers from auto fraud as well as financing "tricks and traps" to avoid.
Buying a Used Car
This web page outlines what you should know and do when purchasing a used car.
Dealing with Automobile Dealerships
This web page discusses steps you should take before and after you purchasing a vehicle in order to protect your legal rights and ensure your purchase will meet your needs and provide minimal aggravation.
What To Do When Buying a Used Car
A car is used when it has been owned by another person. This can be a rental car, car used by a dealership for loan to customers, or car that was used by salespeople for a long period of time. If you are thinking about buying a used car, read this brochure for more tips.
Auto Repairs - Consumer Advice
The best way to avoid auto repair rip-offs is to be prepared. Knowing how your vehicle works and how to identify common car problems is a good beginning. It's also important to know how to choose a good mechanic, the kinds of questions to ask, and your consumer rights. The information on this web page may help you avoid mechanical mistakes.
Car Repairs and the Law
Car repairs happen from time to time. Finding an honest mechanic at a fair price is not always easy for everyone. Worse yet, it is difficult for most people to identify mistakes or short cuts that are taken by mechanics. That is, at least until something goes wrong! Becoming an informed consumer is one of the best defenses. This article focuses on legal and practical issues about car repairs.
South Carolina Lemon Laws
The law defines a lemon as a new motor vehicle (passenger car, van, motorcycle, or small truck) that has a defect that impairs its use or will lower its market value substantially; and which the manufacturer cannot repair within a reasonable time. South Carolina has a lemon law which became effective October 3, 1989 called the Enforcement of Motor Vehicles Express Warranty Act. This page will answer frequently asked questions about SC's lemon law.
South Carolina Lemon Laws
This web page explains the protections offered by South Carolina's lemon law and the process that must be followed if you purchase a vehicle that is a lemon.
Auto Insurance - Arbitration
Automobile insurance arbitration involves the settlement of a dispute over a property damage liability claim by a person or persons chosen to hear both sides and come to a decision. Any person who is a party to a disputed automobile property damage liability claim may submit the claim for settlement through arbitration.
Auto Insurance - A Shopping Guide for Consumers
The information in this guide is intended to help you understand auto insurance and become an informed shopper.
Auto Insurance - Information for Consumers
All forms of insurance provide protection to consumers by covering certain risks and promising to pay for financial losses caused by these risks. This article has more information about the different types of auto insurance, rates, and things you should know before buying.
Car Repossession
This brochure will help you understand what happens if your car is reposessed.
Car Repossession and How to Avoid it
Information on how to avoid repossession, when a car can be repossessed, and what to do if your car has been repossessed.
