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eBay expects that members will do everything possible to ensure that both sellers and potential buyers of vehicles on eBay will have a positive trading experience. eBay encourages members to educate themselves on the state laws regarding the sale of vehicles prior to the purchase or sale of a vehicle. Additional information and state links have been provided in the additional information section.
Note: Members are responsible for the calculation and remittance of any taxes owed to any governmental entity based on their eBay activities.
Airbags Due to legal restrictions and consumer safety concerns, eBay prohibits all sales of deployed or rebuilt airbags. In addition, some states have even more restrictive laws, prohibiting all sales of used airbags, whether deployed or not.
Imported Vehicles Under federal law, it is illegal to import (or sell previously imported) motor vehicles and equipment that have not received advance certification from the United States Department of Transportation.
Emission Non-Compliant Vehicles Prior to making an interstate purchase, buyers should verify that the vehicle meets emissions requirements in their state. Many states, such as California, have strict emission standards.
Violations of this policy may result in a range of actions, including:
Misrepresentation - Listings where the seller has misrepresented the title, odometer or VIN all violate state laws and are not permitted on eBay.
Odometer Modification Devices - Because it is unlawful in many jurisdictions to reset odometers to read less than the true actual mileage on a motor vehicle, sales of odometer modification and calibration devices (whether manual or electronic) are prohibited on eBay.
Below are specific tips to ensure a positive eBay Motors trading experience:
All members (sellers and buyers):
Members should read the following:
All members should review eBay's Prohibited and Restricted Items policy. Particular items of concern on eBay Motors include:
Before buying or selling a vehicle on eBay Motors, please review the applicable laws provided by each state government. Topics members may wish to review include seller licensing rules, title requirements, emissions standards and registration policies. Here is a list of links to helpful state government automotive Web sites:
Members may take advantage of the Aon Warranty Group coverage if the vehicle is eligible.
To determine whether a vehicle is subject to an import restriction, members may consult the federal government's guidelines on import restrictions.
New and used gasoline-powered vehicles registered in California must pass the California Smog Check. To learn more about this requirement, review California's SmogCheck Rules.
Sellers should:
State rules in the listing regarding what types of bidders will be accepted. For example:
Outline clear terms of sale in their listing description. These terms should outline clearly what payment methods the seller will accept and within what time period the seller expects the buyer to pay.
Know their vehicle:
Comply with their state's laws relating to car dealer licensing, as well as the Federal Trade Commission's Used Car Rule if their trading activities meet the definition of a car dealer in that state. Consider informing buyers when their states have stricter emissions standards as it may impact buyers' ability to register the vehicle being sold. List the exact mileage of the vehicle. If the seller is unsure of the odometer's accuracy (especially on older or 5-digit odometer vehicles), the seller should disclose such uncertainties in the listing description. Visit the website of their state and the state of their potential buyer to learn of applicable laws. Based upon the physical location of the buyer or the seller, state consumer protection laws may apply to the transaction on eBay Motors and may limit what can legally be sold. Make sure any liens on the vehicle are disclosed in the listing description. Provide the VIN number in the listing description. Sellers will attract more legitimate buyers if a member has the ability to conduct their own checks on the vehicle's history.
eBay urges its sellers and buyers to comply with all governmental laws and regulations. Since the sale of vehicles is highly regulated or may cause harm to eBay or its members, members are encouraged to educate themselves on the laws governing their sale.
If you're looking for more help or have a question to ask, please contact us.