Does Lemon Law Apply to Used Cars?

First, let’s answer the question, “What is lemon law?” Lemon laws were created to protect car buyers from unreliable cars, unscrupulous sellers, and warranty practices that are unfair and unreasonable. Lemon laws can apply to both new and used cars, but it gets a little trickier when a pre-owned vehicle is involved. Not all states offer the same protection for used car buyers, which is yet another reason to do your homework before you buy pre-owned. Read on to learn more about used car lemon laws!

How Do Lemon Laws Work?

There’s a federal lemon law, as well as individual state laws that vary, depending on the state in which you reside. In any case, the issue/s with the car must occur while the car is still covered under warranty. Under federal law, there must be a record of attempts to fix the problem and the car must be 100% unusable because of repairs for a total of at least 30 days (doesn’t have to be consecutively).

Used Car Lemon Laws

As of now, only the following states have used car lemon laws in place:

• Connecticut
• California
• Hawaii
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• Rhode Island

Unfortunately, these used car lemon laws are seldom applied successfully. Buying a used car, especially from a seller you’re unfamiliar with, is riskier than buying a brand-new car from a reputable dealership. Law requires sellers to disclose major accidents, but that doesn’t stop some sellers from withholding crucial information or taking part in illegal practices to change the mileage of the car.

What to Keep in Mind as a Buyer

A buyer should inspect every aspect of the car they’re considering before moving forward with the transaction. Vehicles can be sold in any condition (whether or not they’re road-legal is another matter), but if you’re buying a used car, you should take steps to ensure the car is worth your money:

• Visually inspect the car yourself.
• Test drive the car. See how it drives and take note of anything that seems “off.”
• Have a mechanic complete a visual and mechanical inspection to ensure there are no major problems.

Sellers aren’t required to sell a car in “perfect” condition. So, lemon laws likely won’t apply to new or unnoticed issues with the used car. Taking the steps listed above can help you avoid inconvenient and costly repairs.

Shop Used Cars for Sale at AutoSavvy!

At AutoSavvy, we hand-pick our used cars for quality, reliability, and cleanliness. Our team will gladly answer any questions you may have about our vehicles and will partner with you to help you find the perfect match for your lifestyle and budget. Contact us online or call us at 833-344-0751 to schedule a test drive with any one of our models. In the meantime, browse our pre-owned vehicle specials for exciting offers. Learn more in our car buying tips, like what to look for when buying a used car.