Defending Your Rights
Nationwide Used Car Lemon Law Protection
Phone: 630-333-0000
The Federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and State-specific Lemon Laws protect consumers who purchase used cars, boats or RVs that develop repeated problems with parts under the warranty.
If you obtained an express written warranty when you purchased your used car, boat or RV, you may have the same or similar protections that as provided by new car, boat or RV lemon law. These warranties could be:
- the remainder of a manufacturer’s warranty,
- a separate extended warranty or service contract given by the dealer or maker in the case of a certified used vehicle
Federal and state laws may provide a legal remedy for buyers or lessees of used cars, boats or RVs that are lemons. If the dealer cannot repair the used car, boat or RV after a reasonable number of attempts, you are entitled to a full refund of the purchase price. We can assist you in retaining an expert to inspect your vehicle, and to prosecute a lemon law, breach of contract or consumer fraud claim to help you get your money back.
The Federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act was the first “lemon” law ever passed. It may cover your used car, boat or RV, no matter how old it is. If you obtained a warranty or service contract from the dealer when you purchased your used vehicle, then this Federal Warranty covers you. It requires that the warrantors (usually the dealer or with certified used cars the manufacturer as well) repair your vehicle within a reasonable number of attempts and in a reasonable amount of time. If the dealer keeps your vehicle in the repair shop too long for warranty work, or if you have to bring your vehicle in for repairs again and again, then you may be able to bring suit to get your money back.
This federal law applies if you get a “service contract” or “written warranty” from the selling dealer for a period of up to 90 days after you purchased the vehicle. There is no mileage limit. It doesn’t matter how old your car, boat or RV is when you buy it. The only question is: did the dealer provide you with a written warranty or a service contract when you purchased the used vehicle? If so, then you may have more legal rights. You should contact a Nationwide Consumer Rights Lemon Law attorney for a free confidential consultation. Please call us at 630-333-0000 or fill out our intake form on our Contact Us page.
In addition, some states have consumer fraud or consumer protection statutes which forbid deceptive acts in the sale of used cars, boats and RVs. These laws generally require the used car, boat or RV dealer to respond to every question honestly and truthfully. They also forbid the dealers from hiding material facts such as that the vehicle was in a serious accident or has frame or other damage which substantially impairs its value and safety. We have seen cases where “certified” used cars turn out to be rebuilt wrecks or salvage vehicles. In these instances, we have obtained full redress for the consumer. We have also represented victims of used car fraud who purchased used cars that were built out of multiple cars being patched together. The cars had body parts, engines and other key parts from different cars and were unsafe to drive. We have obtained full refunds for victims of these types of used car fraud after filing suit. If you purchased a used car, boat or RV as a result of the dealer’s false statements or failure to disclose material facts about the vehicle’s condition, you may have a claim against the used car, boat or RV dealership. Don’t be taken advantage of by dealer fraud or deception. Contact Nationwide Consumer Rights today to make sure your legal rights are upheld.