| Vehicle classification |
A golf cart is not automatically a road-legal vehicle. A low-speed vehicle (LSV) is a federally defined vehicle with a maximum speed of more than 20 mph and not more than 25 mph, and a GVWR under 3,000 lb. |
Model-specific specifications, maximum-speed data, GVWR, and the intended vehicle classification. |
Confirm the classification matches the intended use; separately check the registration and road-use rules in the destination state and locality. |
| LSV safety equipment |
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 500 specifies equipment for LSVs, including lamps and reflectors, a parking brake, mirrors, a windshield, a vehicle identification number, and seat belts. |
A model-specific equipment list, photographs, and the manufacturer’s U.S. certification label details. |
Check that the documents and vehicle configuration apply to the exact model and options being purchased. |
| Federal certification |
U.S. vehicle manufacturers certify compliance with applicable federal safety standards; NHTSA does not pre-approve individual vehicle models. |
A photo of the certification label and written confirmation of the entity responsible for U.S. certification. |
Treat claims such as “DOT approved” as insufficient by themselves; verify the certification information for the vehicle offered. |
| “Assembled in the USA” claim |
The FTC’s “Made in USA” standard generally requires a product to be “all or virtually all” made in the United States. Assembly in the U.S. alone does not automatically establish that an unqualified “Made in USA” claim is appropriate. |
The assembly location, a description of U.S. and imported components, and the exact origin wording used in sales materials. |
Distinguish “assembled in the USA” from “Made in USA,” and request substantiation for any country-of-origin claim. |
| Parts availability |
There is no single federal parts-stock level that guarantees future availability for every golf cart model. Availability depends on the supplier’s inventory and service arrangements. |
A model-specific parts list, current U.S. stock status, typical replenishment lead times, and parts pricing. |
Ask about high-wear and safety-critical parts, such as brake components, tires, controllers, chargers, and batteries, and confirm how replacements are ordered. |
| Battery transport documents |
Lithium batteries offered for transport are subject to applicable hazardous-material requirements, including UN 38.3 design-testing requirements. |
Battery chemistry and model details, applicable transport documentation, and the UN 38.3 test summary where required. |
Check that documents identify the battery supplied with the quoted vehicle, not just a similar battery model. |
| Warranty and after-sales support |
Warranty coverage, exclusions, claim procedures, and service arrangements should be stated in the written warranty; terms can differ by supplier and component. |
The complete written warranty, U.S. service contact details, claim process, and responsibility for parts, labor, and freight. |
Compare coverage periods by component and ask how faults are diagnosed, approved, and resolved after delivery. |
| Service capability |
The availability of qualified repair services is a commercial support issue and should be verified for the buyer’s location and vehicle configuration. |
A list of service locations or mobile-service coverage, technician training information, and diagnostic or repair procedures. |
Confirm who performs repairs locally and whether service is available where the carts will actually operate. |