Buying a brand-new car is a luxury that many people simply cannot afford. With the cost of living going up, purchasing a pre-owned vehicle is a popular choice. You can upgrade your current car at a fraction of the cost of a new one.
When buying a used car, however, there can be a bit more risk. You don’t know what issues it’s had and how it’s been driven or kept by the previous owner, despite what you’re being told.
If you buy a used car and find out that it has defects, are you covered by lemon law?
Lemon laws do cover used cars – subject to conditions
The purpose of a lemon law is to protect a buyer who purchases a car under warranty that is defective and/or cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts.
For lemon law to apply to used cars, the vehicle still needs to be under warranty and you must have bought it from a dealer or retailer. This can be the original, manufacturer warranty that came with the car when it was bought new or it can be a new or extended warranty on a vehicle that has been certified by your dealer.
What lemon laws don’t cover
Vehicles sold privately by an individual seller are unfortunately not covered by lemon law, even if the car still has a warranty.
If you’re looking to file a claim under California’s lemon laws, there are time limits to keep in mind. If you suspect that your vehicle is defective, it’s a good idea to seek legal help as soon as possible, since that’s the best way to protect your interests.