Can You Return A Used Car After You Buy It?

 

Few people buy a used car or truck with the intention of returning it. Majority of people buy a new vehicle to help them get around from point A to point B. Yet sometimes after the purchase the new owner realizes that the car or truck has a lot of issues that they were unaware of at the time of the sale. These issues may cost hundreds or thousands of dollars to repair. Some new vehicle owners may decide that it no longer makes it a good deal to keep the vehicle.

 

If this happens to you, do you think you have options? The answer is a resounding YES! Read on…

First of all, before buying a new car or truck, it’s a good idea to ask about the seller’s return policy and read all the documents that come with the sale. It may also be possible to work with the dealership or a seller to resolve any problems before taking more drastic action, such as hiring a lawyer. 

 

The next option is one of the most obvious, and that simply is buying a warranty from the seller. Many dealerships will offer warranties (short term or long term). If your vehicle is under warranty, lemon laws require your vehicle manufacturer to repair your vehicle and, if they cannot do so after a reasonable number of attempts, they must either replace or refund your vehicle.

 

There are also aftermarket, privately owned companies that will sell you a new warranty for your new vehicle. Just make sure you ask plenty of questions about the coverage it provides, fees, etc. and read all the paperwork before you by the warranty. 

 

A less obvious option is to simply ask the seller, whether it’s a used car dealer or private seller, to give you a warranty. This is a hit or miss proposition yet sometimes it works. The dealership may be willing to give you a 30 day warranty or a 7 day warranty at no additional cost. A private seller may be willing to do the same. All it takes is for you to ask them. The worst they can say is no.

 

Returning a used car to a used car lot (not an auction):  Although it is possible, is like putting toothpaste back in the tube. When the bill of sale states sold ‘as is’, it’s a done deal. When purchased with at least a 3-day warranty, the used car lot will try every trick in the book not to return your money yet you still have legal recourse against them if they don’t honor the warranty.

 

Federal Protection?

 

There is a federal lemon law, known as the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (“Mag-Moss”), in place to protect consumers from getting stuck with “lemons.” The Magnuson Moss Warranty Act grants whoever owns defective automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, and recreational vehicles (RV’s) the right to secure a repurchase, replacement or monetary compensation from the manufacturer, depending on the facts of the case and the repairs that take place.

 

To level the playing field and ensure that consumers have equal footing against the billion-dollar car companies, these laws have fee-shifting provisions which provide completely cost-free legal representation. If the consumer wins, the manufacturer is responsible for paying all attorney fees and costs on top of recourse or as mandatory part of any settlement offered.

 

One important plus with this law is it covers USED cars that came with a written warranty (many state laws only cover new cars). Lastly, under the federal lemon law, you are only eligible for the difference between what you actually paid for your vehicle and what you would have paid at the time of purchase, had you known about your vehicle’s defects.

 

Does Your State Have Your Back?

 

The key thing to understand is each state has different laws. Under the terms of some states lemon law, buyers have 72 hours to return a vehicle if they determine that a car requires repairs to make it roadworthy. Once returned, the used car dealer will have ten days to either repair the defect or refund the consumer’s purchase.

 

To find out specifically what your state offers by way of buyer protection you can try these search queries:

Lemon law for used cars in (your state)

Can you return a used car in (your state)

Can I return a car after I buy it in (your state)

 

The key thing is to be able to know up front what recourse you have before buying a used vehicle. Obviously you don’t wish to have to return a vehicle begin with. And it makes a huge difference, especially when you’re negotiating with the seller, that you have some type of legal recourse if you find out later on that the seller sold you a vehicle that was a lemon.

 

Lemon Laws Listed by State:

https://bbbprograms.org/programs/all-programs/bbb-autoline/lemon-laws-by-state

 

When To Engage A Lemon Law Attorney

 

As you do some of the search queries that we listed above, you’re going to find information posted by lemon law attorneys in your state. Oftentimes their websites provide very useful information that you can use when negotiating a sale with a buyer a seller, even what to do if you assist you a dispute arises and even lastly what your legal rights may be.

The information is article is not definitive nor is it offered as legal advice. Yet now you understand what some of your options are if the unthinkable happens and you buy a vehicle that you decide for whatever reason you want to return.