Yes, but it's significantly more limited and complex than for new cars. Lemon laws primarily protect purchasers of new vehicles, but some states have specific statutes that extend certain protections to used car buyers, often with strict conditions. The most common scenario where a used car might be covered is if it's still under the manufacturer's original new-car warranty. The key is that the defect must be substantial and occur within a specific period after purchase, known as the "Lemon Law Presumption Period," which is much shorter for used cars.
The coverage varies drastically by state. For instance, in New York, the Used Car Lemon Law covers used cars purchased from dealers for a purchase price of at least $1,500 and with less than 100,000 miles on the odometer, providing coverage for 60 days or 3,000 miles after delivery. In contrast, many states have no specific used car lemon law at all, leaving buyers to rely on other consumer protection laws.
Your primary protection when buying a used car is often the implied warranty of merchantability, which means the car should be fit for ordinary use. However, many dealers sell cars "as-is," which effectively disclaims all warranties. If you buy a car "as-is," your lemon law rights are extremely limited. You should always check your state's specific regulations and carefully review the warranty terms provided by the dealer before purchasing.
| State | Covers Used Cars? | Key Conditions / Presumption Period | Notes |
|---|
| California | Yes, under Song-Beverly Act | 30 days or 1,000 miles after delivery | Applies if defects arose during the original warranty period. |
| New York | Yes, specific used car law | 60 days or 3,000 miles | Applies to cars from dealers costing $1,500+, under 100,000 miles. |
| Massachusetts | Yes, specific used car law | 90 days or 3,750 miles | Applies to cars sold for at least $700, from a dealer. |
| Texas | No specific used car law | N/A | Relies on federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act if under warranty. |
| Florida | No specific used car law | N/A | Protections only apply to new motor vehicles. |
If you encounter a serious defect, document all repair attempts meticulously and contact your state's attorney general office or a consumer protection attorney to understand your options.
