Lemon laws protect those who buy new cars in every state in this country, but very few states have enacted laws to protect those who have bought used cars. Unfortunately for them it is much more common for them to have gotten stuck with an unreliable vehicle or large repair bills. Owners of lemons are still required to make their vehicle payments while their car sits idle. In practically every dealer’s sales contract there is a one-sided arbitration clause which prevents most used car buyers from ever taking their case to court. There is also the fact that a buyer generally needs to prove that the issues existed before the sale of the vehicle.
Used Car Lemon Law Statutes
Some states had passed statutes based on the severity and frequency of used car problems. Those laws provide a required used-car warranty which is generally based upon the mileage or the age of vehicle. If the car requires repairs during the warranty period, the dealer is given chances to make repairs. If, after several tries, the vehicle cannot be repaired, the dealer must either refund your money or replace the car.
Protect Yourself
As always you are your own best advocate. There are many consumer sites, like The Center for Auto Safety, where you can find detailed information on lemon laws. For the broadest information on used vehicle lemon laws, you might want to try Autopedia’s Lemon Law Information Page. If you don’t live in a state that has enacted a used car lemon law, or if your state law doesn’t cover your individual situation, you may find that there are federal laws that can help. Since every state is and the claims system can be quite confusing, the best thing you can do is to hire knowledgeable and skilled attorneys like those at Krohn & Moss, Ltd. Consumer Law Center® to be with you through the process from beginning to end. For more information visit www.yourlemonlawrights.com
