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eBay Motors > Buy > Seller Condition Assurance
Seller Condition Assurance
 
 
 
Overview
 
The Seller Condition Assurance (SCA) program provides buyers with added confidence that a qualifying vehicle purchased on eBay Motors is accurately described in the listing, and protects buyers if the vehicle's condition is materially different from the description in the listing, subject to the limitations described below. Classifieds are not covered by this SCA program.

The SCA is administered and managed by an independent service provider (the "SCA Administrator") that is not affiliated with eBay Inc. ("eBay"). All SCA requests will be administered and processed by eBay and the SCA Administrator.

The maximum reimbursement amount per vehicle is $50,000, or the winning bid amount (whichever is less).

Sellers participating in the SCA have put forth their best efforts to build your trust. Vehicles sold under the SCA program include the following protection:
  • The seller guarantees that the vehicle condition is as described
  • The seller agrees to work with you to try to resolve your issues with the vehicle.
  • eBay provides additional coverage through the SCA Administrator on these transactions.
There are limits to the kinds of problems, car components, age of vehicles, mileage of vehicle and types and makes of vehicles eligible for protection under the SCA, and are outlined in these Terms and Conditions.


Buyer Responsibilities
In order to qualify for the Seller Condition Assurance benefits, buyers have to meet certain requirements:
  1. Buyers must exercise appropriate care when purchasing a vehicle. If a seller discloses a problem with a vehicle, it is the buyer's responsibility to research the full extent and nature of the problem before bidding. Any problems disclosed by the seller are not eligible for protection under the SCA.
  2. Buyers must be the winning bidder or Buy It Now buyer of a passenger vehicle on eBay Motors with a "Seller Condition Assurance" icon on the listing.
  3. Buyers must be in good eBay standing at the time of the transaction
  4. Buyers must inspect the vehicle thoroughly upon receiving it (either after picking it up at the seller's location or upon accepting shipment of the vehicle). To qualify for protection under the SCA program, buyer must report any problems to the seller in writing within 24 hours for cosmetic (body and interior) issues and within 72 hours for mechanical issues.
  5. Buyer must first make a good faith effort to resolve any issues directly with the seller before filing a complaint under eBay's SCA program.
  6. Buyers must read and understand all terms and conditions for the SCA protection.



How are Buyers Protected?
Buyers are protected when purchasing a Seller Condition Assurance vehicle in the following ways:
  1. All sellers in the program are verified licensed dealers.
  2. Sellers uphold high standards in disclosing the vehicle condition in their listings.
  3. Sellers agree to make all reasonable efforts to work directly with the buyer to resolve problems that arise from misrepresentation of the condition of the vehicle or omission of important, material details about the vehicle.
  4. If the buyer and seller are unable to reach a mutually agreeable resolution to the dispute, the buyer may initiate a complaint via eBay's SCA program. Complaints can be submitted by clicking the Go button on the Vehicle Purchase Protection page and entering the SCA details in the Contact eBay Customer Support form. The buyer will be required to take the vehicle to an approved mechanic for an inspection or estimate of damage at their expense. The SCA Administrator will investigate and evaluate the complaint and determine the appropriate outcome under the program. Buyers and Sellers in the SCA program agree to comply with the Administrator's decision.
  5. If the seller does not comply with the decision, the SCA Administrator will provide the appropriate reimbursement under the SCA program.



Situations that are not covered by SCA
The following are some examples of situations are that NOT protected by SCA:
  • Expenses or repairs as a result of normal wear and tear, including, but not limited to belts, hoses, tires, brakes, bushings, joints, spark plugs and wires, and minor dents, paint chips and scratches
  • Expenses or repairs as a result of regular maintenance and/or fluid levels
  • Damages that do not exceed $500
  • Buyer's remorse
  • Aftermarket stereo or audio/visual equipment
  • Damage or loss arising during shipping or otherwise after purchase
  • Punitive claims, lost profits, loss of work, or restocking costs
  • Repairs or alterations made by you to the vehicle without the consent of the SCA Administrator
  • Inspection costs, warranty fees, taxes paid, or any other fees or expenses that are not expressly covered under these Terms and Conditions

Eligibility Requirements
Participation in the SCA program is subject to the following eligibility requirements:
  1. You have successfully completed the purchase of a Seller Condition Assurance vehicle* on the eBay Site:

    Note:
    * You will be deemed to have successfully completed the purchase if you receive confirmation in your "My eBay" that you have successfully won, or purchased, an item through an auction, Buy It Now, or Best Offer.
  2. Your eBay account is in good standing (i.e. not suspended) at the time the reimbursement request is filed.
  3. You have not filed a Vehicle Purchase Protection or SCA reimbursement request in the last 6 months.
  4. You, the seller, the vehicle, and the financial institutions on which payment was drawn, and to which payment was made, must have been located in one of the fifty United States on the listing's end date.
  5. You obtain the SCA Administrator's prior written consent before altering, repairing, selling, or releasing possession of, the vehicle before a determination is made on your complaint.
  6. You are able to provide the SCA Administrator with documentation to substantiate all purchase payments, and/or estimates for repair, related to your SCA complaint.
  7. You must have notified the seller of the vehicle, in writing (email or confirmation of fax), within 24 hours of receipt of the vehicle for cosmetic (body and interior) issues and within 72 hours of receipt for mechanical issues. You must provide proof of this written notification to the SCA administrator.
  8. The SCA program only applies to passenger vehicles ten years old or less listed with less than 100,000 miles. It does not include:
    • Modified vehicles and kit cars
    • Vehicles listed with an "other" title, or salvage, rebuilt/rebuildable, unrebuildable, reconstructed, scrapped/destroyed, junk, lemon, or water damage title brand
    • Vehicles with over 100,000 miles
    • Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Avanti, Bentley, Bugatti, Ferrari, Hummer, Lamborghini, Lotus, Maserati, Opel, Panoz, Qvale, Rolls Royce, Shelby or any vehicles listed in "Other Makes."
  9. Only the following vehicle components are covered by the SCA:
    • Mechanical: engine, transmission, exhaust system, electrical, suspension, cooling system, steering, air conditioner
    • Interior: front and rear seats, carpets, headliner, dash, power features, factory CD, DVD, and/or stereo
    • Exterior: paint, grille, glass, frame, roof, body panels



SCA Maximum Reimbursement
The SCA reimbursement amount may not exceed the cost of eligible repairs* and is further limited to the lesser of a) $50,000 or b) the winning bid amount, whichever is less. In cases of extensive repair costs, the SCA Administrator has the option to reimburse the purchase price and take possession of the vehicle. If you refuse this offer, then the SCA Administrator may offer you a cash settlement of a discounted percentage of the purchase price.

Note:
*The damage amount will be determined by the lower of all replacement/repair estimates from authorized service facilities approved by the SCA Administrator.

Effect of secondary sources of reimbursement
SCA protection is secondary to any other avenue of recovery. As such, any recoveries reimbursed or credited to you by any third party will be deducted from your request for reimbursement to determine your final payment amount under the SCA program.

If the seller offers you a settlement equal to, or better than, the amount you are eligible to receive under SCA as described, you will not be eligible to receive any payments under SCA.

A buyer of a SCA vehicle may be eligible for protection with either the SCA or the Vehicle Purchase Protection (provided for free by eBay on ALL eBay Motors vehicle purchases), but a buyer may not receive a reimbursement from both programs. The SCA Administrator will guide all complaints to the appropriate program for handling.




Miscellaneous
eBay may terminate the SCA or modify these Terms and Conditions with or without notice to you. The terms of the SCA program specified on this page at the time that you purchased your vehicle will apply. It is your responsibility to periodically review these Terms and Conditions to ensure you are familiar with any changes and the then-current policies.

SCA does not protect purchases on any other eBay website, including eBay's international vehicle marketplaces.