(a) Definition.—In this section, “motor vehicle repair business” means a person holding itself out to the public to repair for compensation a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment.
(b) Prohibition.—A manufacturer, distributor, dealer, rental company, or motor vehicle repair business may not knowingly make inoperative any part of a device or element of design installed on or in a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment in compliance with an applicable motor vehicle safety standard prescribed under this chapter unless the manufacturer, distributor, dealer, rental company, or repair business reasonably believes the vehicle or equipment will not be used (except for testing or a similar purpose during maintenance or repair) when the device or element is inoperative.
(c) Regulations.—The Secretary of Transportation may prescribe regulations—(1) to exempt a person from this section if the Secretary decides the exemption is consistent with motor vehicle safety and section 30101 of this title; and
(2) to define “make inoperative”.
Structure US Code
SUBTITLE VI— MOTOR VEHICLE AND DRIVER PROGRAMS
CHAPTER 301— MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY
SUBCHAPTER II— STANDARDS AND COMPLIANCE
§ 30115. Certification of compliance
§ 30116. Defects and noncompliance found before sale to purchaser
§ 30117. Providing information to, and maintaining records on, purchasers
§ 30118. Notification of defects and noncompliance
§ 30119. Notification procedures
§ 30120. Remedies for defects and noncompliance
§ 30120A. Recall obligations and bankruptcy of a manufacturer
§ 30121. Provisional notification and civil actions to enforce
§ 30122. Making safety devices and elements inoperative
§ 30124. Nonuse of safety belts
§ 30125. Schoolbuses and schoolbus equipment
§ 30127. Automatic occupant crash protection and seat belt use