Used Lemon Coverage
You’re not necessarily doomed if you feel you bought a used lemon. The first step in determining recourse is to check your state’s lemon law. If used vehicles are not specifically included in your state’s lemon law, you still may be able to resolve your lemon issues under the federal Magnuson-Moss Act that deals with lemons as a manufacturer’s warranty issue.
Warranties on Used Cars
You could be entitled to compensation for a used lemon if one of the following applies:
There was a manufacturer’s warranty left when you purchased your vehicle. The shortest warranties, either basic or power train, run for 3 years or 36,000 miles. Many run significantly longer. You’ll notice from the State Lemon Law summary, that the coverage period under state laws is either the warranty or 1 to 2 years or 12,000 to 24,000 miles, “whichever comes first.” Obviously, most used cars would have exceeded this parameter. But, the federal law can still be applied.
The vehicle was “certified” by the manufacturer and comes with a short warranty, usually one year.
You purchased a manufacturer’s extended warranty which typically runs for 5 years or longer.
Consumer Protection Laws
There still may be legal avenues available if your used lemon has no existing warranties – particularly in the following cases:
- Laundered lemons with a prior history of mechanical problems known to the seller.
- Previously salvaged or wrecked
- Fraudulently rolled back odometer
- Rental or police car, information not revealed at the time of sale
- Stolen, stripped and rebuilt
- Involved in a flood
There are state laws addressing these types of fraudulent car transactions. Private car resales may be considered “as is” purchases, but that does not allow the seller to break the law in the process.
Unfortunately, the easiest way to deal with a used lemon is to avoid buying one in the first place.
If you suspect your vehicle is a lemon, contact us using the form on the right and we’ll help you locate a lemon lawyer.
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