An Important Message from CARS: Pricing Transparency in Vehicle Shopping

Dear Valued Consumer,

At CARS, we are committed to making your vehicle shopping experience as transparent, honest, and reliable as possible. As you browse the thousands of listings from dealerships across the nation, we want to ensure you are fully aware of the regulations and policies that protect you throughout the buying process.

Your Protection: UDAP Laws and CARS’ Policy

The vehicle listings you see on the CARS website are subject to federal and state consumer protection laws. Specifically, laws regarding Unfair or Deceptive Acts or Practices (UDAP) apply to all vehicle listings by dealerships. Additionally, at CARS, we have a Site Adherence Policy that all the dealerships listing vehicles on our site must follow. 

What UDAP Laws Mean for You: These laws are designed to protect you from any practice in the marketplace that is misleading, fraudulent, or unfair. In the context of vehicle listings, this means dealers must ensure:

  • Pricing Accuracy: The price listed must accurately reflect the vehicle’s true selling price, excluding only unavoidable government fees (like taxes and title).
  • Material Disclosure: All material facts about the vehicle (such as accident history, prior use, or condition) must be disclosed honestly.
  • No Hidden Fees: Mandatory fees or expensive, pre-installed add-ons must be clearly disclosed and, in most cases, must be included in the advertised price.

Dealership Accountability: UDAP and CARS’ Policy

Every dealership listing a vehicle on our platform must adhere to two standards:

  • UDAP Compliance: They are legally required to comply with federal and state UDAP laws regarding advertising, pricing, and sales practices.
  • CARS’ Site Adherence Policy: Our internal policy reinforces and expands upon these legal requirements, further underpinning the importance of transparent pricing. This policy helps us maintain a trustworthy platform for you.

How To: Reporting Potential Listing Concerns

We believe that protecting you, the consumer, is a collaborative effort. If you encounter a listing on CARS that you believe is a concern we should address, we want to know.

How to File a Listing Concern with CARS: We have a dedicated process for addressing these potential compliance issues. Please gather the following information and contact our support team at siteadherence@cars.com:

  • Date of Discovery: When you encountered the issue.
  • Vehicle Details: The CARS listing URL and the stock number or VIN (Vehicle Identification Number).
  • Dealership: The name and location of the dealership.
  • Description of the Concern: Clearly explain the unfair or deceptive practice (e.g., “The online price was $25,000, but the dealer quoted $28,000 due to mandatory, undisclosed protection packages”).

How to Submit a Dealership Review Using DealerRater: We have a convenient way for you to express your real-life experiences with participating dealerships. To submit a review of a dealership, simply go to dealerrater.com and select Write A Review. It’s that easy.

How to Report Concerns to Regulatory Authorities: You may also report any concerns you may have regarding a vehicle listing to your State Attorney General’s Office, the U.S. Consumer Protection Bureau (“CFPB”), and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”). For more information or to report a concern, please visit your Attorney General’s dedicated website or click on the links below.

We take your Listing Concern submissions seriously. Dealerships who do not follow our Policy or applicable UDAP laws face penalties up to and including listing suspension. 

Additional How-Tos: Understanding Vehicle Pricing

To help you shop with confidence and secure the best possible deal, here are three essential tips for navigating vehicle pricing:

  1. Know Key Terms: Know the key pricing terms such as MSRP, Invoice Price, and Out-the-Door Price;
  2. Know the Finance: Understand the fundamentals of financing and trade-in; 
  3. Review the Fees: Take your time reviewing all fees (governmental and non-governmental) and optional add-ons.

We wish you the best in your car-buying journey and thank you for trusting CARS.

Sincerely,

The CARS Team