What is the law saying about what car companies have to do to a car before they can sell the pre-owned car to?

Answer 1

I don't think there is any laws. Most larger dealerships put it through a safety inspection to make sure it is safe to put on the lot and an oil and filter change!

Answer 2

There isn't a so called law. Different states have different rules and regulations regarding titling and registering a vehicle. Dealerships that are in the states that require a vin inspection or a safety inspection usually do it for their customers. There is a law that states that the dealer and the purchaser has to sign a warranty form stating there is a 30 day warranty or the car is sold "as is". But that is about it. Some manufacturers require their particular make to be certified, but it is not any kind of law. And many dealerships "certify" their cars as a courtesy to their customers and to get the extra bucks for a "certified" vehicle! Some manufacturers require that the certification is by their standards, say BMW or Cadillac, but not all certifications are done to the manufacturers specs. Dealers can have their own certification to their standards or what they consider safe.

Answer 3

The law you are referring to deals with certified used car programs and it's not a law, it's company guidelines, with financial ramifications.
Example: Honda Certified Used Cars
Criteria: less than 80,000 miles, less than 7 years old, has to go through a 150 pt. inspection to be considered 'Certified'

Truth is, it cost a dealer or sales manager money to certify a car, and an unscrupilous sales manager will cut corners on this procedure, of course if he gets caught there are consequences to the dealership, like disenfranchisement for example.

So in closing, ask to see the repair order on the car you wish to purchase, see if they actually serviced the car, if they won't, don't buy it or ask for a sizable price chop and take the car 'as is' or just with the implied warranty, (varies from state to state)