Thousands of flooded vehicles swamp the market

The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) released a statement urging Congress to review implementation and enforcement of the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS).

As a result of Hurricane Irene and historic flooding across the eastern seaboard, vehicles in Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Virginia and Vermont have been submerged in water. Now more than ever, it is essential that NMVTIS be fully implemented and the underlying statute enforced to help prevent the unknowing sale of these flood-damaged vehicles.

NMVTIS, a national electronic system that provides consumers with valuable information about a vehicle’s condition and history, can play a crucial role in helping ensure that these flood-damaged vehicles are not sold to unsuspecting consumers in the used car market.

Such fraudulent and unsafe practices can only be stopped if all states participate fully in NMVTIS and all “individuals” and “entities” that are required to report to the system are held accountable.