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Is There Protection For Used Car Buyers?

If you are looking at buying a used car, keep in mind that Ohio`s Lemon Law does not apply to motor vehicles more than one year old or driven more than 18,000 miles.

Also keep in mind that lemons returned to the manufacturer or dealer can be resold to consumers only under certain conditions. A used car dealer must give you the following statement to read and sign before selling you a returned lemon.

IMPORTANT: This vehicle was returned to the manufacturer because it did not conform to the manufacturer`s express warranty and the nonconformity was not cured within a reasonable amount of time as provided by Ohio law.

The automaker must give you at least a 12 month, 12,000 mile warranty that offers the same coverage as the original new car warranty.

The notice and warranty are required even if the car was returned as a lemon under the law of another state. The notice and warranty serve as your warning that you are buying a vehicle returned as a lemon.

In addition, manufacturers must obtain certificate of titles for returned lemons that include the following disclosure:

BUYBACK: THIS VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE IT MAY NOT HAVE CONFORMED TO ITS WARRANTY.

Other Ohio Lemon Law FAQs

Q: What Is The Lemon Law?
A: Ohio legislators passed one of the most comprehensive Lemon Law in the nation in 1987. It requires automakers to repair defects that affect the use, value, or safety … More
Q: What Vehicles Are Covered Under The Lemon Law?
A: The following table summarizes what is covered, how many times the vehicle has to be repaired for the same defect and the warranty period. Vehicles Covered Repair … More
Q: What Is A Lemon?
A: A lemon is a motor vehicle that has a problem or problems, covered by the warranty, that substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of that vehicle. If you have … More
Q: Has The Manufacturer Had A Reasonable Opportunity To Repair The Vehicle?
A: If you can answer yes to any of the following four questions. the manufacturer is presumed to have had a reasonable opportunity to repair your vehicle under Ohio law. … More
Q: Will The Manufacturer Refund The Full Purchase Price Of The Vehicle?
A: Once it is clear that your vehicle has not been fixed, the automaker must, at your option, give you a new vehicle or refund the full purchase price. That price … More
Q: What Is Arbitration?
A: Arbitration allows a neutral third party to make a decision about your case based on the merits of the claim. The Attorney General`s Office has rules for approval of … More
Q: Should I Take My Case To Court?
A: If the automaker does not have an arbitration program approved by the Attorney General, or if you are unhappy with the outcome of the arbitration, you may want to take … More
Q: What Are The Responsibilities Of The Manufacturer And The Dealer?
A: Manufacturers and dealers are required to provide more information to consumers than ever before. Manufacturers must provide this written statement to every new car … More
Q: Do I Have The Same Protection As A New Car Buyer?
A: A returned lemon buyer is NOT entitled to the same legal protection as a new car buyer. You are provided only with the fair warning notice and warranty protection … More
Q: How Can I Protect Myself?
A: If you buy a new vehicle, please take the following precautions just in case it turns out to be a lemon. It will cost you nothing if you do. It could cost you … More

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