Auto Lemon Law and The Myths of Buying a Car

Buying a vehicle is very expensive, time consuming, and a difficult process. Most people don't like it it because, unlike other possessions, the pricing of new cars is sometimes too much money to cough up. You can go to any Department Store for a television, and the price is right on the shelf. But if you go to a car dealership and see a price on the car you’d like, you may or may not have to pay that price. And you may have to negotiate with one or more salesperson, and put up with excuses about how the sales manager “won’t approve” the price the salesperson just gave you.

And If you buy the car and agree to spend the next five years paying for it, you worry about what might happen if the car breaks down. If you buy that TV from the Department Store, you can just bring it back for a refund if something goes wrong. With the new car, you’re just stuck with it. That’s what brought about Lemon Laws in the 1980’s and all states now have implented some version of them. Those lemon laws are effective.  But knowing you're protected after you buy the car isn’t good  enough, especially if you find, through lack of knowledge, that you ended up unprotected due to your own misinformation.

If you purchase a new car, you may return it within three days for a refund.

• Generally not true. While some states have grace periods regarding contracts of certain types, these do not apply to new car purchases. As a rule, once you drive it off the lot, it’s yours. For this reason, you should test drive the very car you intend to buy if purchasing a new one and you should have a mechanic examine any used car you are thinking about buying. It’s better to be safe than sorry.The dealer must inform you if a used car has been in an accident.
  
  If buying a used car, you should certainly inquire if the vehicle has been in an accident. Many states have strict regulation regarding the sale of used vehicles with frame damage, so you should always ask. And any reputable dealer will answer your questions honestly. There is nothing, however, that requires a dealer to voluntarily share that information with you. What you don’t know can hurt you, so be sure to ask.

If you have a warranty of any type, you are protected.

• Not true. A warranty without service to back it up is worthless. A warranty is only a promise from someone to stand behind their product. If they fail to do so, refuse to do so, or simply go out of business, you are out of luck.