Section 137.03. Definitions.

  In this chapter:

(1)  "Complete motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle that requires no further manufacturing or assembly operations, other than the addition of readily attachable components such as mirrors, seats, or tire or rim assemblies, or minor finishing operations such as painting, to be legally operable on a public highway for the purpose of transporting persons or property. The term does not include a chassis unit with or without cab intended for completion as a motor home or as a motor truck with permanently installed equipment designed for nontransportation purposes such as, but not limited to, cranes, backhoes and the like.

(2)  "Converter" means any person engaged in modifying or converting previously assembled or manufactured complete motor vehicles.

(3)  "Final stage manufacturer" means a person who performs such manufacturing operations on an incomplete vehicle that it becomes a complete vehicle and who owns the completed vehicle.

(4)  "Major manufacturing alteration" means:

(a) Any alteration or modification that substantially changes the original configuration, structure or specifications of basic components of a previously assembled or manufactured complete motor vehicle.

(b) The term also includes the permanent installation of special equipment designed for ambulance or mortuary purposes or for transportation of physically handicapped persons confined to wheelchairs.

(c) The term also includes conversion of motor vehicles for use as motor homes as defined in sub. (6) .

(d) The term does not include alterations involving only:

1. The addition, substitution, or removal of readily attachable components such as mirrors, seats, or tire or rim assemblies;

2. Minor finishing operations such as painting, carpeting or other decorative trimming;

3. Installation of windows or skylights;

4. Installation in a vehicle, other than a motor home, of bed frames, cabinets, televisions, sound reproduction systems or other interior appliances designed for accommodating passengers;

5. Roof extensions; or

6. Any combination of alterations enumerated in subds. 1. to 5.

(5)  "Manufacturing" as applied to a converter means the installation on a previously assembled or manufactured complete vehicle of a special body or equipment that when installed forms an integral part of the motor vehicle and constitutes a major manufacturing alteration.

(6)  "Motor home" means a motor vehicle designed to provide temporary living quarters built into as an integral part of, or permanently attached to a self-propelled motor vehicle chassis or van. In addition to sleeping and dining facilities, the vehicle must contain permanently installed independent life support systems that provide at least 4 of the following facilities:

(a) A potable water supply system including plumbing, a faucet and a sink, designed as either self-contained or to be connected with an external water supply, or both;

(b) Permanently installed cooking facilities;

(c) A permanently installed ice box or refrigeration unit;

(d) A permanently installed self-contained toilet;

(e) A permanently installed 110-125 volt electrical power supply or L.P. gas supply or both; and

(f) A permanently installed heating or air conditioning system, or both.

(7)  "New motor vehicle" for purposes of this chapter and enforcement of s. 218.0116 (1) (n) , Stats., means any motor vehicle other than a used motor vehicle as defined in sub. (9) .

(8)  "Privately titled" means a vehicle titled by a person who acquired a vehicle through a bona fide sales transaction in which the person gave substantial value to acquire ownership of the vehicle for purposes other than lease, rental or resale and who is not a motor vehicle manufacturer, final stage manufacturer, converter, distributor, wholesaler, dealer, fleet owner or lease or rental company.

(8m)  "Title" means certificate of title issued by the Wisconsin department of transportation under ch. 342 , Stats. , or by another state in conformity with its applicable law, as evidence of ownership of a specific vehicle.

(9)  "Used motor vehicle" means:

(a) Any motor vehicle which has been privately titled, or

(b) Any motor vehicle which has not been privately titled, but:

1. Has been operated more than 6,000 miles, or

2. Has been operated more than 4,000 cumulative miles, and owned more than 120 days by the licensee currently offering the vehicle for sale, or

3. Has sustained damage while in-transit and has been acquired by the motor carrier from the motor vehicle manufacturer because of the liability agreement between the manufacturer and carrier, or has sustained damage while being operated under a rental agreement as defined in s. 344.57 (5) , Stats., or a lease agreement under ch. 429 , Stats. , or

4. Is of a previous model year. A vehicle shall be considered to be a previous model year after December 31 of the calendar year identical to the manufacturer's designated model year.

History: Emerg. cr. eff. 4-7-77; cr. Register, November, 1977, No. 263 , eff. 12-1-77; renum. from MVD 27.03 and am. (4) (d) 5. and 6., (5) and (6), Register, July, 1980, No. 295 , eff. 8-1-80; am. (7), Register, December, 1982, No. 324 , eff. 1-1-83; am. (7), (8) and (9), Register, August, 1985, No. 356 eff. 9-1-85; CR 08-029 : cr. (8m), am. (9) (b) 3. Register August 2008 No. 632 , eff. 9-1-08; correction in (7) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7. , Stats . , Register August 2008 No. 632 .

Note

To clarify subd. 4., a 1985 model year vehicle may be offered for sale and sold by any motor vehicle dealer after December 31, 1985. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1