CALIFORNIA CODES VEHICLE CODE
SECTION 9990-9993
9990. For purposes of this chapter, damage sustained by
a motor vehicle is material under any of the following circumstances:
(a) The damage required repairs having a value, including
parts and labor calculated at the repairer's cost, exceeding
3 percent of the manufacturer's suggested retail price of
the vehicle or five hundred dollars ($500), whichever is
greater. The replacement of damaged or stolen components,
excluding the cost of repainting or refinishing those components,
if replaced by the installation of new original manufacturer's
equipment, parts, or accessories that are bolted or otherwise
attached as a unit to the vehicle, including, but not limited
to, the hood, bumpers, fenders, mechanical parts, instrument
panels, moldings, glass, tires, wheels, and electronic instruments,
shall be excluded from the damage calculation, except that
any damage having a cumulative repair or replacement value
which exceeds 10 percent of the manufacturer's suggested
retail price of the vehicle shall be deemed material. (b)
The damage was to the frame or drive train of the motor
vehicle. (c) The damage occurred in connection with a theft
of the entire vehicle. (d) The damage was to the suspension
of the vehicle requiring repairs other than wheel balancing
or alignment.
9991. Every dealer shall disclose in writing to the purchaser
of a new or previously unregistered motor vehicle, prior
to entering into a contract for the vehicle or, if unknown
at that time, prior to delivery of the vehicle, any material
damage known by the dealer to have been sustained by the
vehicle and subsequently repaired.
9992. Every dealer shall disclose in writing to the purchaser
of a new or previously unregistered motor vehicle, prior
to entering into a contract for the vehicle or, if unknown
at that time, prior to delivery of the vehicle, any damage,
including, but not limited to, material damage, known by
the dealer to have been sustained by the vehicle and not
repaired.
9993. Nothing in this chapter permits any dealer to respond
to the inquiry of a purchaser in any untrue or misleading
manner.
