Used Car Lemon Laws Explained 

Lemons are synonymous to used cars. Ask any of the people who got theirs from smooth-talking car salespersons.

Fortunately, there are used car lemon laws to protect consumers’ rights to seek redress for defective purchases.

Lemon laws for used cars are the most utilized legal tool in the United States, owing to its large automobile industry, but it should not mean that the United States is flooded with defective products. This shows, rather, that Americans have a mature sense of consumerism.

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and the Uniform Commercial Code are federal laws that protect consumers against deceptive acts in the sale of used cars, such as false representation, but state-specific statutes for the same purpose have been enacted too.

Wikipedia lists the following problems covered in the used car lemon laws: 

• Prior history of mechanical problems known to the seller (‘laundered lemon’)
• Previously salvaged or wrecked
• Fraudulently rolled back odometer
• Rental car, police car, taxi, or similar
• Stolen, stripped and rebuilt
• Involved in a flood

So what should you do if you have purchased a used car that conks out often?

First, determine if your car is really a lemon, because certain criteria apply to the used car lemon laws apart from the lemon laws for brand new ones.

Make sure that you keep a copy of an express written warranty with the vehicle.

It could be the balance of a manufacturer’s warranty, a separate limited warranty given by the dealer, or an extended warranty or service contract you purchase from the dealer at the time you purchase the vehicle.

Inform the manufacturer through writing and ask for a refund of anything it costs in having this repaired.

Or you can ask for a replacement. Be sure to keep the invoices of your purchase as well as the repairs.

The best advice would be to take legal counsel. Lemon law attorneys can provide you with the information you need and give you the best solution.