Bought Used Car From Dealer With Problems?

Table of Contents:

• Lemon Law Requirements in California
• Contact Lemon Law Associates
• The Car Buyer’s Bill of Rights in California
• Most Cars Come With Car Warranties
• We Specialize in Used Car Lemon Law
• Lemon Law Frequently Asked Questions

If you just bought a used car from a dealer with problems, you might be feeling overwhelmed and asking yourself: dealership sold me a bad car what can I do? Even if you purchased it “as-is,” you may be entitled to relief under the California Lemon Law. In California, as long as your defect occurs within 18,000 miles or 18 months of delivery, or while covered by a manufacturer’s warranty, you have the right to demand repairs. If the dealer fails to fix it, you may be entitled to a full refund or vehicle replacement.

To get started, you need to contact an experienced consumer advocate. Our lawyers at Lemon Law Associates can provide the assistance you need to take aggressive action against the used car dealership that sold you a defective vehicle. Understanding your consumer rights is critical to getting a fair resolution.

We are highly experienced in enforcing the used car lemon law California statutes. Don’t worry about upfront expenses—our lawyers offer free initial consultations and take on all valid claims at no cost to you, because when we win, the manufacturer pays your legal fees!

Lemon Law Requirements in California

In order to qualify for the California Lemon Law and receive a full refund or replacement, several statutory requirements must be met. Specifically, when a consumer has bought a used car from a dealer with problems, state statutes ensure they are not left financially stranded if they meet these criteria:

1. The new or used vehicle must be dealer-sold, not a private party sale.
2. The law covers cars, SUVs, and RVs, but does not apply to certain off-highway motor vehicles.
3. The car must have a defect covered by an active dealer or manufacturer’s warranty.
4. The problem must cause a substantial impairment to the vehicle’s safety, use, or value.
5. The car was returned for repairs a reasonable number of times (usually 3 or 4 attempts) without success, or spent 30+ cumulative days in the shop.

Have a Used Car Problem Within 30 Days?

If you buy a used car from a dealer and it breaks down within 30 days of purchase, you may be protected by the state’s “implied warranties” of merchantability. California’s lemon law allows buyers to get a refund of the purchase price plus associated collateral costs, including taxes, registration fees, down payments, and finance charges. If the dealer refuses, reviewing how to file a complaint against a car dealership is your next best step.

Contact Lemon Law Associates

If you purchased a used car in California from a dealer and are now experiencing unfixable problems, contact Lemon Law Associates today. Whether you need a San Diego lemon law attorney or a lemon law attorney in Los Angeles, we provide free consultations and represent your case at no out-of-pocket cost.

The Car Buyer’s Bill of Rights in California

The Car Buyers Bill of Rights strictly regulates the sales practices of licensed used car dealers in California. If you bought a used car from a dealer with problems, discovering an unrecorded accident history is incredibly frustrating. The bill of rights forces dealers to disclose any known major defects that materially affect the car’s value.

It also gives buyers the option to purchase a 2-day contract cancellation agreement for vehicles under $40,000. If the dealer violates these laws by hiding a salvage title or rolling back the odometer, consulting a San Diego auto fraud lawyer can help you void the sale entirely.

If anything in your purchase agreement does not meet the terms of the Car Buyer’s Bill of Rights, you can recover financial damages. Review our guide on reasons to sue a car dealership in California to understand what dealer misconduct looks like in court.

Most Cars Come With Car Warranties

It is critical to be educated on what kind of warranty you hold to understand what rights you may be entitled to if something goes wrong. If you are struggling with dealership repairs, review our guide on dealerships selling bad used cars to learn how warranty claims are evaluated.

Express Manufacturer’s Warranty

This is an explicit promise from the automaker that the vehicle will be free from defects for a certain amount of time, usually 3 years or 36,000 miles.

Extended Warranty & Dealer Warranty

Extended service contracts can be purchased from the dealer to provide protection beyond the standard factory limits. However, read the fine print—some third-party warranties carry severe exclusions.

Implied Warranty of Merchantability

An implied warranty is an automatic, unwritten promise by the seller that a product will function properly. In California, dealers are required to provide an implied warranty on used vehicles sold in the state, guaranteeing they provide safe, reliable transportation.

We Specialize in Used Car Lemon Law

If a dealer sells you a used car that fails California’s implied warranty of merchantability, you have a valid claim. Our experienced attorneys assist clients who have bought a used car from a dealer with problems, forcing sellers to take responsibility. Contact us today for your free consultation to get the compensation or replacement vehicle you are entitled to.

Lemon Law Frequently Asked Questions