According to a report in the New York Times, the city hopes to implement legislation that will address the problem of vehicles being sold with unfixed recalls on them. Federal legislation to address the problem has been stalled in Congress for years as dealers say it would cost companies and consumers unnecessary time and expense to implement the guidelines.

According to president of the New York Independent Automobile Dealers Association, it would make more sense to tell the consumer that repairs are needed and have the buyer take the vehicle to a new-car dealership for a free repair. Making a used-car dealer take a car in for a recall repair means a loss of time and money that will drive up prices and make vehicles in the city less competitive.

The proposed bill would require all used car dealers and vehicle rental companies to make sure that vehicles are safe and roadworthy before they can be sold, including the repair of recalls. Companies who have sold unfixed vehicles will be required to notify owners about the defect and make the necessary repairs. In order to enforce the law, the department said they would issue violations to offending companies and revoke operating licenses, if necessary.