In the state of California, many car dealerships require customers to make a deposit before purchasing a vehicle. These deposits are refundable under certain conditions, and it is important to know what those specifics are. This guide will explain the details of the California Car Deposit Refund Law.
Table Of Content:
- California Car Buyer's Bill of Rights – Consumer & Business
- Car Buyer's Bill of Rights - California DMV
- California Code, Vehicle Code - VEH § 11736 | FindLaw
- Car order deposit refundable/cancelable ??? | McLaren Life
- Are dealers allowed to keep deposits if the vehicle is not purchased ...
- How to get my $500 deposit back? California dealership : r ...
- California Security Deposit Returns: Laws, Limits & Deadlines | Nolo
- Deposit refund? - Page 2 - CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette ...
- Are deposits on cars refundable in California ...
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - CalRecycle Home Page
1. California Car Buyer's Bill of Rights – Consumer & Business
https://dcba.lacounty.gov/portfolio/california-car-buyers-bill-of-rights/
When the car is returned, the dealer must give you a full refund. This includes sales tax, registration fees, deposit and return of your vehicle. If the dealer ...
2. Car Buyer's Bill of Rights - California DMV
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/car-buyers-bill-of-rights-ffvr-35/
The dealer must provide a full refund of the sales tax, registration fees, and deposit or trade-in vehicle collected from the buyer. If the buyer did not return ...
3. California Code, Vehicle Code - VEH § 11736 | FindLaw
https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/vehicle-code/veh-sect-11736.html
(c) Fail to refund any purchase money, including purchase deposits, upon demand by a consumer at any time prior to the consumer's signing of a vehicle ...
4. Car order deposit refundable/cancelable ??? | McLaren Life
https://www.mclarenlife.com/threads/car-order-deposit-refundable-cancelable.100608/
Mar 31, 2020 ... Yes you sign to 'buy' the car when the dealer has it on the lot and you take possession. In CA the deposit is fully refundable until you sign ...
5. Are dealers allowed to keep deposits if the vehicle is not purchased ...
https://www.quora.com/Are-dealers-allowed-to-keep-deposits-if-the-vehicle-is-not-purchased-or-a-deal-is-not-reached
No they cannot. California has a car buyer's bill of rights and that requires any deposits or even the trade to be refunded. California Car Buyer's Bill of ...
6. How to get my $500 deposit back? California dealership : r ...
https://www.reddit.com/r/askcarsales/comments/p5vn83/how_to_get_my_500_deposit_back_california/
Aug 17, 2021 ... "(c) Fail to refund any purchase money, including purchase deposits, upon demand by a consumer at any time prior to the consumer's signing of a ...
7. California Security Deposit Returns: Laws, Limits & Deadlines | Nolo
https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/california-security-deposits-36199.html
Under California law, a landlord must return the renter's security deposit, with an itemized statement of deductions, within 21 days after the renter has ...
8. Deposit refund? - Page 2 - CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette ...
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c8-general-discussion/4368873-deposit-refund-2.html
Feb 14, 2020 ... In California you have to take possession of the vehicle before the deposit is non-refundable: "Fail to refund any purchase money, including ...
9. Are deposits on cars refundable in California ...
https://www.nbccomedyplayground.com/are-deposits-on-cars-refundable-in-california/
Feb 8, 2020 ... A car dealership does not have to return a deposit to a buyer if the buyer made the deposit as a good-faith gesture of his intention to purchase ...
10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - CalRecycle Home Page
https://calrecycle.ca.gov/bevcontainer/programinfo/faq/
The California Refund Value (CRV) is the amount paid to consumers when they ... the consumer a deposit that is refunded by the retailer when the beverage ...
What counts as a car deposit in California?
Any amount of money that is given to a car dealership in exchange for the promise to purchase a vehicle in the future can be considered a deposit. This includes money put down for special orders or “lay away” agreements.
What happens if I decide not to purchase the car after making the deposit?
The dealership must return your deposit in full within 10 days if you change your mind about buying the car. If you do not receive it within that time frame, you can file a complaint with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Is there a limit on how much I can pay as an initial deposit?
There is usually no cap on how much you can pay initially for the vehicle, but some dealerships may impose their own limit and this should be discussed with them upfront.
When does the law consider my payment as "non-refundable"?
The law states that once your contract has been approved by both parties and all associated paperwork has been signed, then any payments made are non-refundable. However, if there is fraud or misrepresentation involved from either party then some exceptions may apply.
Conclusion:
Knowing and understanding California's Car Deposit Refund Law can help potential buyers protect themselves from being taken advantage of by shady dealerships. It's important to be aware of these laws and regulations before entering into any agreement with a dealership.