New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 12 - TRADE, COMMERCE AND BANKING
Chapter 2 - CONSUMER PROTECTION
Part 14 - MISREPRESENTATION OF AGE AND CONDITION OF MOTOR VEHICLES
Section 12.2.14.10 - REASONABLE INSPECTION

Universal Citation: 12 NM Admin Code 12.2.14.10

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024

The following motor vehicle inspection shall be conducted by qualified persons and shall be deemed reasonable pursuant to Subsection B of Section 57-12-6 NMSA 1978 by:

A. inspecting the motor vehicle for evidence of repainting such as:

(1) differences in paint color or texture;

(2) mismatched sizes of metallic sparkle in the paint;

(3) embedded dirt or deep scratches in the top coat of the paint; and

(4) uneven paint thickness;

B. inspecting the motor vehicle for evidence of any repair or alteration, with the inspection involving only minimal disassembly, for:

(1) uneven gaps between sheet metal panels;

(2) differences between the headlamps;

(3) paint overspray on moldings and trim;

(4) paint tape edges in the jams;

(5) hammer damage;

(6) replaced body panels due to impact;

(7) holes drilled and plugged in jams or shell of the motor vehicle;

(8) damage inside the trunk or under the spare tire; and

(9) signs of corrosion or lack of corrosion protection;

C. inspecting the motor vehicle chassis for evidence of such things as:

(1) pinched weld flange underneath the motor vehicle;

(2) weld sites;

(3) signs of repair to unibody structural parts;

(4) signs of buckles or non-original equipment manufacturer ("OEM") welding repair to unibody structural parts;

(5) signs of corrosion, or lack of corrosion protection; and

(6) other non-OEM alteration or repair that may have been performed to the chassis;

D. inspecting the motor vehicle's caulking and seam sealer for differences and inconsistencies;

E. inspecting the motor vehicle's identification number tags;

F. inspecting the motor vehicle parts for labels that say replacement department of transportation "(R-DOT)";

G. inspecting the motor vehicle for alterations or repairs not consistent with repair industry standards; and

H. performing reasonable additional inspection or inquiry into the age and condition of the motor vehicle when reasonably necessary to assure compliance with this rule.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. New Mexico may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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