Accountability of dealer for employees — Actions for damages on violation of chapter.
RCW 46.70.027
in effectA vehicle dealer is accountable for the dealer's employees, sales personnel, and managerial personnel while in the performance of their official duties. Any violations of this chapter or applicable provisions of chapter 46.12 or 46.16A RCW committed by any of these employees subjects the dealer to license penalties prescribed under RCW 46.70.101 . A retail purchaser, consignor who is not a motor vehicle dealer, or a motor vehicle dealer who has purchased from a wholesale dealer, who has suffered a loss or damage by reason of any act by a dealer, salesperson, managerial person, or other employee of a dealership, that constitutes a violation of this chapter or applicable provisions of chapter 46.12 or 46.16A RCW may institute an action for recovery against the dealer and the surety bond as set forth in RCW 46.70.070 . However, under this section, motor vehicle dealers who have purchased from wholesale dealers may only institute actions against wholesale dealers and their surety bonds.
A vehicle dealer is accountable for the dealer's employees, sales personnel, and managerial personnel while in the performance of their official duties. Any violations of this chapter or applicable provisions of chapter 46.12 or 46.16A RCW committed by any of these employees subjects the dealer to license penalties prescribed under RCW 46.70.101 . A retail purchaser, consignor who is not a motor vehicle dealer, or a motor vehicle dealer who has purchased from a wholesale dealer, who has suffered a loss or damage by reason of any act by a dealer, salesperson, managerial person, or other employee of a dealership, that constitutes a violation of this chapter or applicable provisions of chapter 46.12 or 46.16A RCW may institute an action for recovery against the dealer and the surety bond as set forth in RCW 46.70.070 . However, under this section, motor vehicle dealers who have purchased from wholesale dealers may only institute actions against wholesale dealers and their surety bonds.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.70&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026