How California’s Lemon Law Can Help If You Bought a Used Car

California's Lemon Law applies if your car has problems or defects that cannot be corrected after a reasonable number of attempts at repair during the car's warranty period. Many car buyers think that if they buy a used car they are out of luck if they start having problems, because they don't have a warranty or it has expired. But that may not be the case. There are several ways that California's Lemon Law can help if you have a used car.

Almost all new cars come with express warranties from the manufacturer. Typically these warranties are two kinds: one is what they call a basic or bumper to bumper warranty and the other is a powertrain warranty. What's the difference:

• Bumper to Bumper Warranty

This warranty is shorter in length than the power train warranty. It will usually cover any part breakdown that occurs with your vehicle during its period. This warranty is often 3-years/36,000 miles but it can also be longer depending on your car manufacturers.

• Powertrain Warranty

This warranty will run concurrently with the bumper to bumper warranty and will be longer in time than the bumper to bumper warranty, for example it could be 5-years/50,000 miles or 10-years/100,000 miles. Again, it depends on the manufacturer. This warranty typically covers the systems needed to make the car move. Usually this is the engine, transmission, transfer case, and axel assemblies.

These warranties don't just end once the vehicle is sold. So if you buy a used car, depending on how old it is, these manufacturer warranties can still be in effect and you can take advantage of them. So let's say you buy an 8-year old car, if it came with an 10-year powertrain warranty, you could still have 2-years of powertrain warranty coverage. If during this time, you start having transmission problems and have to keep taking the car in for repair, the lemon law would still apply, even though the car is old. It typically doesn't matter that you are not the original owner.

But let's say you buy a used car and the manufacturer's original warranties have expired, you still have options. Many times, the dealer that you buy your used car form will provide their own express warranty. Depending on the used car dealer, the warranty will vary. Some are of 30 days/1,000 miles and will cover certain major components of the vehicle. Others can be longer and more broad. If the dealer provided you such a warranty, and you start having problems with your car during the warranty period, you may still have rights against the dealer and may be able to have the dealer buy back your car.    

Just because you bought a used car doesn't mean you may not have rights!

If you have any questions about a used car that you bought which is having problems, call The Lemon Lawyer at 844-227-7762. We can help you and will let you know what your options are for free.