Damages to delivered vehicles

Wis. Stat. § 218.0122
in effect
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(1) A manufacturer, importer or distributor shall disclose in writing to a motor vehicle dealer, at or before delivery to the dealer, any damage and repair to a new motor vehicle occurring after the manufacturing process is complete but before delivery to the dealer, if the cost of the repair exceeds 6 percent of the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, as measured by retail repair costs. Replacement of glass, tires, bumpers, fenders, moldings, audio equipment, instrument panels, hoods and deck lids with identical manufacturer’s original equipment is not considered damage and repair under this subsection. If a manufacturer, importer or distributor fails to make a disclosure of damage and repair under this subsection, it shall be liable to the dealer for any liability imposed on the dealer for a failure on the part of the dealer to disclose that damage and repair. (2) If the cost of repairing damage to a new motor vehicle that occurs before delivery to the dealer’s location exceeds 6 percent of the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, as measured by retail repair costs, the dealer may reject or, if title has passed to the dealer, require the manufacturer, importer or distributor who delivered the vehicle to repurchase the vehicle within 10 business days after delivery, unless the damage occurred during shipment and the method of transportation, carrier or transporter of the motor vehicle was designated by the motor vehicle dealer. Upon repurchase, the manufacturer, importer or distributor shall be subrogated to all of the dealer’s rights against the carrier or transporter of the motor vehicle regarding damage. The cost of repairing glass, tires, bumpers, moldings and audio equipment with identical manufacturer’s original equipment shall not be included in determining the cost of repairing damage under this subsection. (3) This section does not apply to motorcycles that are delivered in a crated, disassembled condition to the dealer or the dealer’s agent.
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/218.0122Fetched: 10/7/2026