How Long Do Dealerships Keep Service Records

The federal government requires that auto dealers retain their records for specific periods of time.

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Record keeping is an essential attribute of any business, simply the federal government sets very specific standards for tape keeping by auto dealerships. Because the activities of this type of concern can affect so many interests, businesses must retain numerous records. Motorcar dealers can eventually purge many of their records, but they must retain them for certain fourth dimension periods, depending on the type of record, as ready by the federal government.

Department of Transportation

Dealers must keep tire purchaser records for three years.

The U.Southward. Department of Transportation requires auto dealerships to retain odometer mileage statements for v years. They must keep the names and addresses of tire purchasers for three years. Dealers must go on air bag switch installation forms indefinitely.

Because keeping vehicles rubber requires maintenance, the regime scrutinizes the people who do this work. Dealers must keep safety compliance reviews indefinitely. They must retain blow records and brake inspector qualifications for one twelvemonth, and inspection and maintenance records for 14 months, or for 6 months after the vehicle is sold. Dealerships must retain records of employee drug testing for five years if tests are positive and one year if they are negative.

Ecology Protection Agency

Auto dealerships must follow several U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations. They must retain hazardous waste and oil records--including hazardous waste product shipment reports, hazardous waste material determination lists and waste test results--for three years.

Because secret storage tanks, or USTs, pose a serious environmental threat, auto dealers must keep records pertaining to them on file. They must retain new UST blueprint, construction, installation and notification records, UST repair documents and fiscal responsibility records indefinitely, and UST leak detection reports for five years.

Federal Trade Commission

Sales contracts must be retained indefinitely.

The Federal Trade Commission requires auto dealerships to retain sure records. Equal-opportunity credit applications must be kept for 25 months. Dealers must retain Truth in Lending Act and Truth in Leasing Human action disclosure statements for two years.

They must retain indefinitely documents relating to the sale of cars, such as buyers' guides, sales contracts, and warranty and service contracts. They must keep records of the sale of auto parts for half-dozen years.

Employment and Sales Records

Motorcar dealers must keep numerous records relating to employees. They must retain sales compensation records, time cards and daily sales records for 3 years.

Dealers must retain inventory records: dealer vehicle reassignment forms, assignment contracts and vehicle purchase contracts for three years, and records of the inventory of new vehicles for two years.

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