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BMW Settles FTC Charges That It Illegally Conditioned Warranty Coverage On Use Of Its Parts And Service

Krohn & Moss, Ltd. Consumer Law Center ® has become aware of a BMW settlement with the FTC regarding its warranty coverage. BMW of North America LLC has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that its MINI Division violated the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act by telling consumers that BMW would void their warranty unless they used MINI parts and MINI dealers to perform maintenance and repair work.

The FTC alleged that BMW violated a provision in the Warranty Act that prohibits companies from requiring that consumers use specific brands of parts or specified service centers. The proposed order settling the FTC’s complaint prohibits BMW from violating the Warranty Act and the FTC Act in connection with any MINI Division good or service. The settlement also bars BMW from representing that, to ensure a vehicle’s safe operation or maintain its value, owners must have routine maintenance performed only by MINI dealers or MINI centers, unless the representation is true and BMW can substantiate it with reliable scientific evidence. The order also requires BMW to provide affected MINI owners with information about their right to use third-party parts and service without voiding warranty coverage, unless BMW provides such parts or services for free.

If you have a question regarding your BMW or MINI vehicle, you should call the experienced lemon law attorneys at Krohn & Moss, Ltd. Consumer Law Center ®. Our lemon law attorneys will take time to talk to you about your rights and will let you know if they can help. Visit www.YOURLEMONLAWRIGHTS.com or call 1-800-US-LEMON to submit your information to see if we can help.