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!
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).
As of now, only the following states have used car lemon laws in place:
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.
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:
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.
At Automotive Avenues, 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 856-539-0105 to schedule a test drive with any one of our models. In the meantime, browse our pre-owned vehicle specials for exciting offers.
Running two stores as New Jersey’s largest independent pre-owned dealership means there’s a lot happening on any given day. Between our flagship showroom in Wall and our Sewell store, sales conversations, trade appraisals, reconditioning, delivery prep, and lender approvals are all going on at the same time. And the customer shopping for a used car…
New Jersey winters can be unpredictable — from mild, chilly mornings to sudden snowstorms that cover the Parkway in white. If you recently purchased a new-to-you vehicle from Automotive Avenues, congratulations! You’ve already taken the first step toward safe and confident driving this winter. Now it’s time to make sure your vehicle is ready to…
There’s nothing quite like fall in New Jersey. As the air turns crisp and the trees explode with brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold, the Garden State transforms into a breathtaking canvas best explored on four wheels. Whether you’re cruising through rolling countryside or hugging the coast, an autumn foliage drive offers a front-row…
844-988-3545
Call Now5011 Route 33 • Wall, NJ 07727
Get DirectionsOpen Today! Sales: 9am-5:30pm
