usc 12 § 5519
Exclusion for auto dealers (BANKS AND BANKING (12 U.S.C.))
Operative Text
Except as permitted in subsection (b), the Bureau may not exercise any rulemaking, supervisory, enforcement or any other authority, including any authority to order assessments, over a motor vehicle dealer that is predominantly engaged in the sale and servicing of motor vehicles, the leasing and servicing of motor vehicles, or both. Subsection (a) shall not apply to any person, to the extent that such person— provides consumers with any services related to residential or commercial mortgages or self-financing transactions involving real property; operates a line of business— that involves the extension of retail credit or retail leases involving motor vehicles; and in which— the extension of retail credit or retail leases are provided directly to consumers; and the contract governing such extension of retail credit or retail leases is not routinely assigned to an unaffiliated third party finance or leasing source; or offers or provides a consumer financial product or service not involving or related to the sale, financing, leasing, rental, repair, refurbishment, maintenance, or other servicing of motor vehicles, motor vehicle parts, or any related or ancillary product or service. Except as provided in subsections (b) and (d), nothing in this title, including subtitle F, shall be construed as modifying, limiting, or superseding the operation of any provision of Federal law, or otherwise affecting the authority of the Board of Governors, the Federal Trade Commission, or any other Federal agency, with respect to a person described in subsection (a). Notwithstanding , the Federal Trade Commission is authorized to prescribe rules under sections 45 and 57a(a)(1)(B) of title 15. in accordance with , with respect to a person described in subsection (a). The Board of Governors and the Federal Trade Commission shall coordinate with the Office of Service Member Affairs, to ensure that— service members and their families are educated and empowered to make better informed decisions regarding consumer financial products and services offered by motor vehicle dealers, with a focus on motor vehicle dealers in the proximity of military installations; and complaints by service members and their families concerning such motor vehicle dealers are effectively monitored and responded to, and where appropriate, enforcement action is pursued by the authorized agencies. For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply: The term “motor vehicle” means— any self-propelled vehicle designed for transporting persons or property on a street, highway, or other road; recreational boats and marine equipment; motorcycles; motor homes, recreational vehicle trailers, and slide-in campers, as those terms are defined in sections 571.3 and 575.103 (d) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor thereto; and other vehicles that are titled and sold through dealers. The term “motor vehicle dealer” means any person or resident in the United States, or any territory of the United States, who— is licensed by a State, a territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia to engage in the sale of motor vehicles; and takes title to, holds an ownership in, or takes physical custody of motor vehicles.
Under 12 U.S.C. § 5519, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is generally barred from exercising rulemaking, supervisory, or enforcement authority over motor vehicle dealers whose primary business is selling, leasing, or servicing vehicles. However, this exclusion does not apply when a dealer offers mortgage-related services, directly extends credit or leases without routinely assigning those contracts to outside financiers, or provides unrelated consumer financial products. Other federal agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission, retain their existing authority over such dealers.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Although 12 U.S.C. § 5519 is not a housing regulation in the traditional sense, property owners who also operate motor vehicle dealerships should be aware that any mortgage or real-property financing services they offer can bring them within CFPB oversight, removing the dealer exclusion. Compliant operators in this dual-business context generally keep their vehicle-related and real-property financial services clearly separated and documented. Staying current with FTC rules that apply under this section is also a standard practice for such businesses.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 12 U.S.C. § 5519, consumers dealing with motor vehicle dealers who also offer mortgage or real-property financing services retain CFPB protections for those transactions. If a dealer's financing practices seem problematic, consumers can file complaints with the FTC or other applicable federal agencies that retain authority under this section. Tenant-rights organizations or housing counselors can help identify which agency is appropriate for a given concern.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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