South Dakota Weighs Change in Auto Damage Disclosure

There’s a move afoot in Pierre to change South Dakota’s damage disclosure law for motor vehicles.

SB98 would require vehicle titles to contain a statement as to whether the vehicle had been damaged in excess of 40 percent of its clean retail fair market value. The current figure is $5,000 in damage.

Ron Kopryn, owner of Kopryn Motors in Rapid City, represents the Independent Auto Dealers of South Dakota. He says such a change would make it easier for insurance companies and body shops not to disclose damage information.

Using the example of a $40,000 vehicle, Kopryn says it could have up to $16,000 worth of damage and not be disclosed to the buyer if the bill becomes law.

It was heard by the Senate Commerce Committee last week.

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Information from: KOTA-AM, http://kotaradio.com/