| |
Lemon Laws Don't Protect Used Car Buyers
By Charles Essmeier
Most buyers of new cars are probably familiar with lemon laws, which allow consumers a refund or replacement when their car turns out to be defective. These laws generally cover leased cars as well as purchased ones, and they have worked well as a consumer protection tool. Unfortunately, no such laws exist for used cars, and buyers should be careful when purchasing them.
Many car dealers offer “certified used cars” that come with some sort of warranty, but most independent used car dealers do not. In most states, the law permits used car dealers to sell cars “as is”, and in that case, anything that goes wrong, even if it happens five minutes after purchase, becomes the buyer’s problem. Dealers selling cars on an “as is” basis often aren’t even required to disclose any problems a vehicle might have to potential buyers. Most independent car dealers sell older, less expensive cars than those sold at major auto dealerships. A lot of the profits that independent used car dealers make come from financing, particularly from financing those with bad or poor credit. Those with problem credit often find that such dealerships, which self-finance, are their only chance at obtaining a car loan. These loans, with their resulting high payments, often leave buyers without any extra cash to pay for repairs of undisclosed problems. Legislators in several states are considering laws that will require used car dealers to have their cars inspected by certified mechanics prior to their being offered for sale. This will help, in time, but what can a potential buyer do now?
Ask to have a certified mechanic examine the car before purchase. Any reasonable dealer should allow you to take the car to a mechanic; if not, you should probably shop elsewhere.
Get a list of the car’s known problems in writing prior to purchase. Inquire as to whether you have any recourse should something go wrong after the sale.
Ask the salesperson if the car has any sort of warranty, and if so, get it in writing. If they tell you the car is sold “as is”, ask them to define those terms exactly.
Contact your local Better Business Bureau to see if they have had any complaints about that particular dealer.
If possible, purchase a used car from a dealership that offers certified used cars with a written warranty.
Buying a used car is more problematic than buying a new one. After all, a used car is one that someone else didn’t want anymore. Buyers who are considering a purchase of a used car should be aware that their protection under the laws of most states is quite limited. Asking a few questions and doing some investigation prior to making the purchase may save buyers thousands of dollars down the road.
About the Author
©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing. Retro Marketing, established in 1978, is a firm devoted to informational Websites, including LemonLawHelp.net, a site devoted to automobile lemon laws and End-Your-Debt.com, a Website devoted to information about debt consolidation and credit counseling.
Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/2812.html
| If you wish to add the above article to your website or newsletters then please include the "Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/2812.html" as shown above and make it hyperlinked. |
| Some other articles by Charles Essmeier | Buying a Car? Check Your Credit Score First
Do you check your credit score and credit report before you go shopping for a car? You might find out that it is well worth your while to do so, as some auto ...
Online Car Auctions Can Take You for a Ride
The Internet has provided the public with a useful and convenient tool that makes it easier to do all manner of things than it used to be. One of these things, oddly enough, is the sale ...
Certified Used Car Still a Risk to Buy
With the price of a new car getting higher and higher each year, many buyers choose to buy used cars instead. The price of a ...
Car Title Loans Offer Risky Cash
Payday loans have received a lot of negative press lately as states and municipalities try to regulate an industry that legally lends small amounts of money at interest rates that can reach a breathtaking 1000% ...
Lemon Law Myths and Misconceptions
Buying an automobile, truck, or sport utility vehicle is often a daunting, stressful and expensive process. People pay more money for their cars than for just about anything other than their homes. And once ...
Website Promotion - Need Inspiration to Write Articles? Check Your Stats!
One of the best ways to promote a Website inexpensively is to write articles about your Website’s topic and submit them to “free content” sites. These sites are easily found; just ...
|
|
| |
|
