The Used Car Lemon Law covers non-commercial motor vehicles except
for motorcycles, certain motor vehicle homes, and off-road vehicles.
The law applies only to purchasers of used vehicles which:
- Cost $1,500 or more and have 100,000 miles or less at the time of sale;
- Were bought from someone who sold or attempted to sell three or more vehicles in the previous 12 months.
If your used car has 18,000 miles or less, you may be protected by the new car lemon law.
If your car has more than 18,000 miles and up to and including
36,000 miles, the warranty must extend for at least 90 days or 4,000
miles, whichever comes first.
If your car has more than 36,000 but less than 80,000 miles, the
warranty must extend for at least 60 days or 3,000 miles, whichever
comes first.
If your car has 80,000 or more, but no more than 100,000 miles, the
warranty must extend for at least 30 days or 1,000 miles, whichever
comes first. Cars with over 100,000 miles are not covered.
If your engine, transmission, drive axle, brakes, radiator,
steering, alternator, generator, starter or ignition are defective, the
seller must repair it or reimburse you for the repairs.
If the same problem cannot be repaired after three or more attempts,
or if your car is out of service for a total of 15 or more days, you
are entitled to return the car and receive a refund of your purchase
price, sales tax and fees. You may arbitrate the complaint through the
New York State Attorney General's office for a fee of $110. This fee is
refunded if you win the case. All used car dealers are required by New
York State law to provide consumers, at the time of purchase or lease
of a motor vehicle, with a copy of the used car lemon law.
For information on the New Car Lemon Law, click here.