N.Y. General Business Law Section 396-P*2
Contracts for the sale of new motor vehicles


1.

Any covenant or agreement in connection with or collateral to any contract entered into between (a) a manufacturer or distributor of new motor vehicles and a retail dealer thereof, or

(b)

a retail dealer of new motor vehicles and a consumer, pursuant to which the price of such motor vehicle to the dealer or to the consumer may be increased after such contract has been entered into shall be deemed to be void as against public policy and wholly unenforceable.

2.

Every contract provided for in subdivision one of this section shall contain a conspicuous provision in bold face type stating that the price contained in such contract is the final contract price to which the parties have agreed, and that no additional fee or charge may be imposed or collected. The provisions of this section shall be limited to the sale of those new motor vehicles for which the dealer has a bona fide customer order as evidenced by a written sales agreement with a retail customer.

3.

If a retail dealer of new motor vehicles accepts a deposit from a consumer but does not have a bona fide customer order as evidenced by a written sales agreement, that dealer shall give the consumer a written form indicating what, if any, options or equipment are desired by the consumer. This form shall be signed by the consumer and state conspicuously on its face: “This Is Not An Order Form. There Is No Guarantee That The Motor Vehicle Offered To You Will Match The Description Indicated On This Form Or Will Contain These And No Other Options. Should You Decide Not To Purchase The Motor Vehicle, You Have The Right To Obtain A Full Refund Of Your Deposit.” 4. If a retail dealer of new motor vehicles accepts a deposit from a consumer pursuant to a written contract for the purchase of a new motor vehicle, such contract shall contain a provision setting forth the estimated delivery date of the automobile and the place of delivery and a statement in immediate proximity to the estimated delivery date that, if the automobile has not been delivered in accordance with the contract within thirty days following such estimated delivery date, the consumer has the right to cancel the contract and to receive a full refund, unless the delay in delivery is attributable to the consumer.

5.

(a) Prior to the sale and delivery of a new motor vehicle, a retail dealer or employee of a retail dealer shall provide written notification to the consumer of any repairs undertaken to repair physical damage with a retail value in excess of five percent of the lesser of the manufacturer’s or distributor’s suggested retail price performed after shipment from the manufacturer to the dealer, including damage to the vehicle while in transit. This notice requirement shall not apply to identical replacement of stolen or damaged accessories or their components. This dollar amount shall include the cost of the retail charge for parts and labor, at the dealer’s stated labor rate.

(b)

If a retail dealer has provided notice to a consumer pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subdivision, the consumer shall be entitled to cancel the purchase order or other documentation of intent to purchase such vehicle and receive a full refund for any deposit made pursuant to this transaction.

(c)

If a retail dealer has failed to provide notice to a consumer pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subdivision, the consumer shall be entitled to a full refund of the purchase price of the vehicle, any trade-in allowance plus fees and charges within four months after the date of purchase. Such fees and charges shall include but not be limited to all license fees, registration fees and any similar governmental charges, less an allowance for the consumer’s use of the vehicle in excess of one thousand miles for each month or part thereof which has expired since sale and delivery of the vehicle and the date the consumer surrenders the vehicle to the retail dealer to receive a refund pursuant to this subdivision, and a reasonable allowance for any damage not attributable to normal wear or usage. The amount of the deduction for mileage in excess of the appropriate allowed amount shall be determined by dividing the mileage in excess of the allowed amount by one hundred thousand miles and multiplying the result times the purchase price. Adjustment shall also be made for any modifications made by the purchaser after delivery of the vehicle which either increase or decrease the market value of the vehicle. A dealer which accepts return of the motor vehicle because notice of repairs was not provided in accordance with this subdivision shall notify the commissioner of the department of motor vehicles of such return. Refunds shall be made to the consumer and lienholder, if any, as their interests may appear on the records of ownership kept by the department of motor vehicles. Refunds shall be accompanied by the proper application for credit or refund of state and local sales taxes as published by the department of taxation and finance and by a notice that the sales tax paid on the purchase price or portion thereof being refunded is refundable by the commissioner of taxation and finance in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (f) of Tax Law § 1139 (Refunds)section eleven hundred thirty-nine of the tax law.

(d)

Any manufacturer, distributor or retail dealer selling or transferring a new motor vehicle which has been subjected to repairs of a value described in this subdivision, shall notify any retail dealer to whom such new motor vehicle so repaired is sold or transferred. Such notice shall be in writing, advise of such repairs, and be provided prior to the receipt of any payment for such motor vehicle. If the manufacturer, distributor, or retail dealer shall fail to provide such notice, any retail dealer suffering a loss by reason of such failure shall be entitled to reimbursement from the manufacturer, distributor, or retail dealer who has failed to provide such notice.

6.

Any dealer or employee of a dealer who violates any of the provisions of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed fifty dollars for the first offense and two hundred fifty dollars for the second and each subsequent offense. * NB There are 2 396-p’s

Source: Section 396-P*2 — Contracts for the sale of new motor vehicles, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/GBS/396-P*2 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Oct. 26, 2024).

390
Substitution of spurious oils for internal combustion engines
390‑A
Optical discs
390‑B
Anti-phishing act of 2006
390‑BB
Cramming prohibited
390‑C
Prohibit persons under eighteen years of age in certain facilities
390‑C*2
Posting of warnings by commercial entities offering internet access to the public
390‑D
Information concerning services for human trafficking victims in facilities at truck stops
390‑E
Unauthorized installation of certain security devices prohibited
390‑E*2
Skimming awareness notice
391
Marking retreaded, recapped or recut tires
391‑A
Unlawful acts relating to liquid fuels, lubricating oils and similar products
391‑B
Prohibit any sale of dangerous clothing articles
391‑C
Sale of bicycles
391‑CC
Sale of micromobility devices, bicycles with electric assist and limited use motorcycles powered by lithium-ion batteries, and lithium-io...
391‑CC*2
Sale of bicycles with electric assist and micromobility devices
391‑D
Sale of matchbooks
391‑E
Promotion of camps by certain organizations
391‑F
Promotion of private schools by certain organizations
391‑G
Rental of motor vehicles
391‑H
Lubricating oils
391‑I
Sale of urea-formaldehyde foam insulation
391‑J
Sale of fire extinguishers
391‑JJ
Sale of electric space heaters
391‑K
Automatic garage door opening systems
391‑L
Personal emergency response service agreements
391‑L*2
Rental of motor vehicles
391‑M
Manufacture and sale of in-line skates
391‑N
Sale of reptiles
391‑OO
Sale of over-the-counter diet pills and dietary supplements for weight loss or muscle building
391‑P
Prohibit the rental of clothing articles previously worn
391‑Q
Rebates
391‑S
Sale and distribution of novelty lighters prohibited
391‑T
Sale of small animals
391‑U
Pricing goods and services on the basis of gender prohibited
391‑U*2
Restrictions on the sale and use of firefighting equipment containing PFAS chemicals
391‑V
Third-party food delivery agreements
392
Second-hand watches
392‑A
Sale of new computers
392‑B
False labels and misrepresentations
392‑C
Obliteration of marks of origin
392‑D
Using false marks as to manufacture
392‑E
Using false statements or altering mileage registering devices
392‑F
Taximeters
392‑G
Sale of ultraviolet radiation devices
392‑H
Trash receptacles
392‑I
Prices reduced to reflect change in sales tax computation
392‑J
Sales of sparkling devices
393
Lime
393‑A
Non fire rated wood paneling
393‑B
Written solicitation
393‑C
Sale of required labor postings
393‑D
Sale of certified copies of property deeds
393‑E
Sale of abandoned property location services
393‑F
Voluntary third-party notification
394
Lost or destroyed certificate of stock
394‑A
Proof of lost negotiable paper
394‑B
Limitations on certain contracts for instruction or use of physical or social training facilities
394‑C
Limitations on certain contracts involving social referral services
394‑CC
Internet dating safety
394‑CCC
Social media networks
394‑D
Privity of contract between franchise seller and customer or patron of dealer
394‑E
Report on request for abortional services
394‑F
Warrants for reproductive health related electronic data
395
Required disclosure of prior use
395‑A
Maintenance agreements

Accessed:
Oct. 26, 2024

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 396-P*2’s source at nysenate​.gov

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