Consumers
MVDB Consumer Advocates provide the general public of Virginia with helpful information on consumer rights, filing a complaint and consumer related resources.
01
Consumer Complaints
If you are a consumer and have a complaint concerning a Virginia Motor Vehicle Dealer, we may be able to help you resolve the issue.
- Learn what types of complaints we can help with… Read More…
- How to File a Complaint against a Virginia Motor Vehicle Dealer
- File online with our Consumer Assistance Form
- Contact Us by Phone: 804-367-1100: listen for the prompts then press 4
- Contact Us by Email: dboard@mvdb.virginia.gov
02
Transaction Recovery Fund
The Motor Vehicle Dealer Board (MVDB) is responsible for administering the Motor Vehicle Transaction Recovery Fund (MVTRF). The MVTRF reimburses individuals who have suffered loss or damage in connection with the purchase or lease of a motor vehicle due to illegal actions of licensed or registered motor vehicle dealers or salespersons.
To find out more about Transaction Recovery and who is eligible to file a claim, go to our Transaction Recovery Page.
03
Processing Fees?
A processing fee is a lawful elective charge by the dealership to compensate for un-reimbursed dealership costs and various additional consumer services. ** Virginia law does not restrict the amount a dealership can charge. **
Charged by the dealer to process the transaction, to include obtaining title and license plates for the purchase, but does not include any “purchaser’s” online systems filing fees.
04
Detecting Vehicle Water Damage
Can you spot a flood damaged vehicle?
While there is no sure method to test for vehicle flood damage, experts offer several inspection tips that may help detect significant water damage.
To find out more on these tips and what to do if you suspect the vehicle you purchased has suffered from water damage, check out our “Detecting Vehicle Water Damage” section.
05
Detecting Collision Repair
It used to be fairly easy to spot the signs of a collision repair: over spray, bad color matching, and misaligned body panels. Now, with computers assisting with everything from frame straightening to color matching, it’s a lot harder to tell if a vehicle has been in a collision, especially if the repair was done well.
Read online or download the “Used Car Field Guide for Detecting Collision Repair“
06
More Consumer Resources
FTC Consumer Alerts
Auto Warranties, Routine Maintenance, and Repairs: Is Using the Dealer a Must? Check out this article from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Recall Look-Up by VIN
Owners may not always know their recalled vehicle still needs to be repaired. NHTSA’s new search tool let’s you enter a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to quickly learn if a specific vehicle has not been repaired as part of a safety recall in the last 15 years. You can find the Recall Look-Up by VIN tool here.
