Dealer Code of Ethics

The Dealer Code of Ethics was developed in partnership with NADA and is intended to highlight the high ethical standards franchised new car and truck dealers follow.  The ethics code was reviewed and approved in 2003 by the Washington State Attorney General’s Office and the Washington State Department of Licensing. The Dealer Code of Ethics embraces a number of strong business and customer service standards.

Washington franchised new car dealers have been practicing these high standards for years, but the Association reaffirmed the adoption of the code in 2021, reinforcing dealers’ strong commitment to their customers.

Code of Ethics:

As a member of the Washington State Auto Dealers Association, this dealership subscribes to the principles and standards below that comprise the WSADA Code of Ethics, and understands that implicit in the Code is a requirement that the dealership comply fully with all federal, state and local laws governing this business. The dealership will:

• • Operate this business in accord with the highest standards of ethical conduct.
  • Treat each customer in a fair, open, and honest manner, and fully comply with all laws that prohibit discrimination.
  • Meet the transportation needs of our customers in a knowledgeable and professional manner.
  • Represent our products clearly and factually, standing fully behind our warranties, direct and implied, and in all other ways justifying the customer’s respect and confidence.
  • Advertise our products in a positive, factual, and informative manner.
  • Detail charges to assist our customers in understanding repair work and provide written estimates of any service work to be performed, upon request, or as required by law.
  • Resolve customer concerns promptly and courteously.
  • Put our promises in writing and stand behind them.

Dealers have to earn the trust of customers every day, one at a time, and it all starts the minute someone enters the showroom. When car or truck buyers walk into a dealership and see the Dealer Code of Ethics decal on the window and the certificate of compliance on the wall, they can expect to be treated with the highest level of fairness and professionalism.

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NADA Fair Credit Compliance Policy & Program and the Voluntary Protection Products Model Dealership Policy

In 2021 the WSADA Board of Directors voted unanimously to direct the Association to recommend that dealerships adopt the NADA Fair Credit Compliance Policy & Program and the Voluntary Protection Products Model Dealership Policy — or a similar compliance policy created by their F&I provider — as part of their dealership’s internal compliance programs.

The NADA programs were developed to help dealerships avoid Equal Credit Opportunity Act issues in the sale of credit and voluntary protection products. The recommendation is not a requirement, however the programs are designed to allow dealerships the flexibility needed to complete car sales while documenting that any changes to the usual terms of sale are made without discriminatory intent.

NADA/NAMAD/AIADA Fair Credit Compliance Policy & Program

• Program Overview: www.nada.org/faircredit
• Policy & Program document: https://www.nada.org/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=21474838176

NADA/NAMAD/AIADA Voluntary Protection Products: A Model Dealership Policy

http://wsada.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/VPP.pdf