Auto-Parts & Vehicle Disclaimers
The following disclosures are specific to the sale of used and salvage vehicles and parts and are provided for informational purposes only. They are not exhaustive. State and local rules vary and change frequently. Consult a licensed attorney and your local Department of Motor Vehicles before listing or purchasing.
Airbags & Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
Airbags, inflators, seatbelt pretensioners, control modules, and related SRS components save lives when manufactured, stored, shipped, and installed correctly — and can kill when they are not. Several states restrict the resale of used airbags (for example, California Vehicle Code § 27317). Only qualified, certified technicians should handle, ship, or install SRS components. Buyers and sellers bear sole responsibility for compliance with federal, state, and local law.
Catalytic Converters
Catalytic converter theft is epidemic. Multiple states (including California, New York, Texas, Colorado, and Minnesota) have enacted laws restricting the sale, purchase, and possession of used catalytic converters. Sellers must retain and disclose proof of ownership; buyers must verify chain of custody. BustnFound does not authenticate chain of custody.
Emissions Components
The Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. § 7522) prohibits the manufacture, sale, or installation of any part that defeats a vehicle emissions control device. “Off-road use only” and similar labels do not shield buyers, sellers, or installers from federal or state enforcement, including CARB actions in California.
Salvage, Rebuilt, Flood, Fire & Branded Titles
A salvage or branded title often means insurers have declared the vehicle a total loss. Some states prohibit re-registration of certain branded titles; others require specific rebuild certification before reissue. A vehicle with a clean title in one state may be branded in another. You are responsible for verifying whether you can title, register, insure, and drive a vehicle in your state before purchase.
Odometer Disclosure
Federal law (49 CFR § 580) generally requires a written odometer disclosure on transfer of vehicles less than 20 model years old. Some states require notarization. Failure to disclose an accurate odometer reading can expose the seller to civil and criminal liability.
High-Voltage EV & Hybrid Components
Battery packs, inverters, motors, chargers, and DC-DC converters in electric and hybrid vehicles operate at voltages (often 300–800V) that are immediately lethal. These components can also thermally run away and ignite. They must be handled only by qualified, EV-certified technicians using proper PPE. Shipment may be regulated under 49 CFR § 173.185 (lithium batteries, hazardous materials). Improper packaging can cause fires in transit.
VIN Verification
BustnFound provides VIN decoding via the public NHTSA vPIC API for convenience only. We do not verify that a VIN matches the physical vehicle, its title, or its ownership record. Buyers are responsible for verifying VIN plates, door-jamb stickers, engine and transmission stamps, and state title records before purchase.
Stolen Vehicles and Parts
Trafficking in stolen vehicles or parts with altered VINs is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. § 2321. BustnFound may, at its sole discretion, report suspected trafficking, altered VINs, or stolen property to federal, state, or local law enforcement and to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).
Recalls
Some used parts are the subject of open safety recalls. Check the NHTSA recall database (nhtsa.gov/recalls) before purchase. Listing or installing parts under active recall may expose you to liability.
Mechanical, Safety, and Legal Advice
Descriptions, part compatibilities, estimated market values, VIN decodes, and any guidance on the Service are generated by users or automated systems and may be inaccurate. Always consult a qualified mechanic, a licensed attorney, and your state DMV before acting.