Vehicle Consumer Information
Assembled below is a valuable source of information that can assist you as a current motor vehicle owner or prospective purchaser. Included are links to organizations with helpful guides on topics such as buying a car, vehicle safety, titling and registration authorities, and consumer complaint resolution. We hope this information will aid your quest to become a wiser and safer consumer.
Vehicle-Related Consumer Resources
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Dealer Services
The Virginia DMV licenses dealers of recreational vehicles, trailers, and motorcycles. In addition, salvage, rebuilder, demolition, and vehicle removal companies are also licensed by DMV. If you have any concerns regarding a transaction with one of these types of dealers, please call DMV at (804) 367-0901.
Virginia Motor Vehicle Dealer Board
The Motor Vehicle Dealer Board (MVDB) administers the laws and regulations pertaining to the Commonwealth’s motor vehicle dealers. They promote the best interests of both the consumer and automobile dealers, and process all car and truck dealer related complaints.
In addition, the MVDB offers certificates of registration to foreign (out-of-state) motor vehicle, motorcycle, trailer and travel trailer dealers.
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
The Office of Consumer Affairs under the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services provides protection to consumers against fraudulent, deceptive, and illegal practices.
U.S. Consumer Gateway
The U.S. Consumer Gateway offers a broad range of links to federal consumer information resources available on-line. Organized by category, you can locate information on automobiles and transportation as well as food, product safety, health, home and community, money, children, careers and education, and technology.
Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission directs efforts to stop actions that threaten the ability of consumers to exercise informed choices by offering information and enforcing a variety of federal consumer protection laws.
Consumer Information Center
The Consumer Information Center (CIC) offers one-stop shopping for free federal publications on saving money, investing, getting federal benefits, buying cars and lowering auto insurance costs, solving consumer problems and more. The CIC helps federal agencies and departments develop and distribute useful information to the public.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
The NHTSA sets and enforces safety performance standards for motor vehicle equipment in order to reduce deaths, injuries, and economic losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes. NHTSA also investigates safety defects in motor vehicles and provides consumer information on motor vehicle safety topics.
American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA)
AAMVA represents state and provincial officials of both the United States and Canada that administer and enforce laws relating to motor vehicles and their use. AAMVA programs encourage uniformity and reciprocity among the states and Canadian provinces, and work with other government entities and the private sector to seek quality driver and vehicle administration and safer roadways.
National Automobile Dealers Association
NADA represents more than 19,400 domestic and import car and truck dealers, dealership managers, and employees. In addition, NADAguides.com offers consumer information and publishes guides to used cars values.
National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA)
NIADA is a trade organization that represents the interests of independent automobile dealers.
Virginia Automobile Dealers Association (VADA)
The Virginia Automobile Dealers Association is an organization representing the interests of Virginia automobile dealers.
Virginia Independent Automobile Dealers Association (VIADA)
VIADA is a trade association representing independent automobile dealers in Virginia. While the Virginia Motor Vehicle Dealer Board mediates customer complaints, VIADA also fields consumer calls regarding independent dealerships in order to address issues that confront the used car industry and their customers.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is dedicated to reducing highway crash deaths, injuries, and property damage losses. It is an independent, nonprofit, research and communications organization wholly supported by automobile insurers. Institute research and communications products are used worldwide by policymakers, automakers, and consumers.
The Highway Loss Data Institute
The Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) is a nonprofit, public service organization that gathers, processes, and publishes data on the ways in which insurance losses vary among the different types of vehicles. It is closely associated with and funded through the IIHS.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) is an organization of fraud busters funded by 1,000 of the nation's insurance companies. NICB is offering a new public database that may protect American consumers, keep rolling wrecks off the highways and save lives in the process. NICB is creating this free public database of vehicles declared a total loss, "or totaled," by insurers, allowing individuals to enter Vehicle Identification Numbers, (VINs), to see if the vehicle that they want to buy has a hidden history.
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