{"id":352636,"date":"2016-04-04T10:42:05","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:42:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/consumer\/lemon-law\/buying-a-car.html"},"modified":"2024-05-07T12:34:09","modified_gmt":"2024-05-07T17:34:09","slug":"buying-a-car","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/lemon-law\/buying-a-car.html","title":{"rendered":"Buying a Car"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\">\n        <h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Buying a Car<\/h1>\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/natalie-moritz\/\">Natalie Moritz<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/melissa-bender-esq\/\">Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            May 07, 2024\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n<p>Buying a car, truck, SUV, or other vehicle is a significant purchase. You&#8217;ll have many decisions to make once you decide to buy a vehicle. For example, you must choose the make and model you want. You&#8217;ll also need to decide whether to get\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/lemon-law\/buying-or-leasing-a-car-general-tips.html\">a new vehicle<\/a>\u00a0or a used car. These and other considerations will affect how much you can afford to spend and what payment options may work best for you.<\/p>\r\n<p>You&#8217;ll also want to understand how to prepare for and research your purchase and financing options. Also, understand what\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/hirealawyer\/choosing-the-right-lawyer\/consumer-law.html\">consumer protection laws<\/a>\u00a0apply to vehicles.<\/p>\r\n<p>FindLaw&#8217;s Buying a Car section provides resources to help you buy a car, understand financing, and know your rights under the law. Specifically, you can find articles about:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Private and dealership used vehicle sales<\/li>\r\n<li>How auto financing works<\/li>\r\n<li>Lemon laws and other protections for defective vehicles<\/li>\r\n<li>What to know before signing\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/lemon-law\/look-before-you-lease.html\">a lease agreement<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li>The difference between manufacturer warranties, extended warranties, and service contracts<\/li>\r\n<li>General tips for buying a car<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Tips for Purchasing a Car<\/h2>\r\n<p>When buying or\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/lemon-law\/leasing-a-car.html\">leasing a car<\/a>, it&#8217;s important to research and review relevant information before making a final decision.<\/p>\r\n<p>First, you&#8217;ll need to decide what kind of car suits your needs and your budget. Assess your\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/credit-banking-finance\/managing-personal-finances-overview.html\">income and expenses<\/a>\u00a0to determine what you can comfortably spend on a monthly car payment. Account for the entire monthly payment amount\u2014<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/car-accidents\/automobile-insurance-policy-coverage.html\">including insurance<\/a>. Avoid paying for extra features you won&#8217;t use. Your monthly car payment shouldn&#8217;t exceed more than 15% of your total net income.<\/p>\r\n<p>Also, consider fuel economy, especially if you&#8217;re a commuter. A vehicle that gets more miles per gallon is good for both your budget\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/traffic\/drivers-license-vehicle-info\/state-emissions-standards-and-testing.html\">and the environment<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>Next, research the car seller. Many consumers prefer to buy from car dealerships because they find them more reputable. You can research car dealers by checking your state&#8217;s<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/credit-banking-finance\/what-consumer-protection-agencies-do.html\">\u00a0consumer protection agency<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbb.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Better Business Bureau (BBB)<\/a>. Also, look to online platforms like Google and Yelp for customer reviews.<\/p>\r\n<p>If you decide to buy a car from a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/lemon-law\/private-used-car-sales.html\">private seller<\/a>, make sure you&#8217;re dealing with the actual owner of the car. You can do this by checking the title of the car. You should also review the vehicle history report, which you can do online using the vehicle identification number (VIN).<\/p>\r\n<p>Then, take the car for a test drive. This lets you see if you like how the car handles on the road, which is especially important for\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/lemon-law\/tips-for-buying-a-used-car.html\">a used car<\/a>. A test drive also allows you to check vehicle components like the radio, air conditioning, and heating. Listen for odd noises the car might make while driving and idling.<\/p>\r\n<p>Finally, make sure you read and understand every document you must sign, including the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/lemon-law\/automobile-warranties-and-other-buyer-protections.html\">vehicle&#8217;s warranty<\/a>\u00a0and warranty period. It might seem tedious, but you want to know what you are agreeing to. These documents are legally binding, and it&#8217;s easier to walk away from a deal than try to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/lemon-law\/how-to-get-out-of-a-car-purchase.html\">cancel the sale<\/a>\u00a0after you sign the sale contract.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Online and App-Based Car Sale Services<\/h2>\r\n<p>Online and app-based automotive buy and sell platforms have been growing in popularity. These services provide a fast and convenient option for consumers to sell or buy a vehicle. Some of these companies include:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmax.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CarMax<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carvana.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Carvana<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sell.peddle.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Peddle<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>These platforms offer an inventory of mostly used vehicles. Consumers can access high-resolution photos and videos, vehicle history reports, and more. Buying a car through an online service allows you to do thorough research without high-pressure sales from a dealership. Some of these companies also\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/lemon-law\/understanding-vehicle-financing.html\">facilitate financing<\/a>\u00a0and assess trade-in values.<\/p>\r\n<p>These platforms provide instant offers, which are convenient but don&#8217;t allow for price negotiation.<\/p>\r\n<p>If you choose to buy a car through an online or app-based service, always verify the vehicle&#8217;s information and try to see the vehicle in person. While online services can be just as reputable as dealerships, there&#8217;s always the possibility of misrepresentation. If the service allows, arrange for a third-party inspection before finalizing the purchase.<\/p>\r\n<p>Also, look up the platform&#8217;s\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbb.org\/all\/customer-reviews\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BBB reviews<\/a>\u00a0and read their customer support policy. If you have issues with a vehicle, you want to be sure you&#8217;re working with a company with a reputation for good customer service.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Payment Options When Buying a Car<\/h2>\r\n<p>When buying a car, you can finance the purchase with a car loan or pay in full. Most consumers don&#8217;t have enough cash to pay for a vehicle in full and instead rely on financing. Financing can be a<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/lemon-law\/payment-options-buying-a-car.html\">\u00a0good payment option<\/a>\u00a0as long as you review and understand the terms of the financing agreement.<\/p>\r\n<p>There are several things to think about when taking out\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/lemon-law\/understanding-vehicle-financing.html\">a vehicle loan<\/a>. You&#8217;ll want to consider:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>The amount of money you can put down as a down payment<\/li>\r\n<li>The length of the loan<\/li>\r\n<li>Your monthly payment amount<\/li>\r\n<li>The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/lemon-law\/glossary-financing-terms.html\">annual percentage rate<\/a>\u00a0(APR), or interest rate<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Used cars usually have higher APRs and shorter loan periods than new cars. Compare\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/business-finances\/ten-things-to-think-about-your-bank-loan.html\">loan terms<\/a>\u00a0from different financial institutions and dealer financing before signing a loan agreement.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Defective Cars and Lemon Law Claims<\/h2>\r\n<p>Both federal and state laws\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer.html\">protect consumers<\/a>\u00a0from defective vehicles.<\/p>\r\n<p>The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/consumer-transactions\/warranty-laws-and-the-magnuson-moss-warranty-act-.html\">Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act<\/a>\u00a0is a federal law applying to most consumer products with a written warranty, including vehicles.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/lemon-law\/lemon-laws-state-specific-information.html\">State lemon laws<\/a>\u00a0specifically cover vehicles with substantial defects that remain unfixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts.<\/p>\r\n<p>Generally,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/hirealawyer\/choosing-the-right-lawyer\/lemon-law.html\">lemon laws<\/a>\u00a0protect new vehicle purchases. But some states also have a used car lemon law. Certain state lemon laws also apply to other types of vehicles, such as motorcycles or motor homes. Check\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/lemon-law\/lemon-laws-state-specific-information.html\">your state&#8217;s statute<\/a>\u00a0for specifics on what its lemon law covers.<\/p>\r\n<p>Consumers who inadvertently\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/lemon-law\/how-the-new-car-lemon-law-can-help-you.html\">buy a lemon vehicle<\/a>\u00a0are entitled to varying remedies, including a full refund of the purchase price (including taxes, registration fees, and even attorney fees) or a replacement vehicle.<\/p>\r\n<p>Sometimes, dealers\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/lemon-law\/lemon-law-basics.html\">repurchase lemons<\/a>\u00a0and resell them to consumers. These vehicles are sometimes called \u201clemon buybacks.&quot; Under the law, dealers must disclose this and post a \u201clemon&quot; or \u201cas is&quot; sticker on the vehicle.<\/p>\r\n<p>Some states offer\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/adr\/arbitration\/the-arbitration-process.html\">arbitration programs<\/a>\u00a0to help car buyers and dealers resolve lemon issues. If arbitration is unsuccessful, consider consulting a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/lemon-law\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">lemon law attorney<\/a>. An attorney can negotiate with the dealer and help you appeal an arbitration decision.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Hiring a Consumer Protection Attorney<\/h2>\r\n<p>Buying, financing, or leasing a motor vehicle doesn&#8217;t usually require a lawyer&#8217;s help. But, if you think you&#8217;ve purchased a lemon or suspect a seller of fraud, you may want to contact an attorney.<\/p>\r\n<p>A local\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/consumer-protection\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">consumer protection attorney<\/a>\u00a0can assess your situation, including determining if you have a lemon law case. They&#8217;ll discuss your legal options and guide you through the next steps.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-up\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3418)\">\n                        <path 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was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                        >Easy to understand<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Solved my problem\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                        >Solved my problem<\/label>\n                    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class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this not helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n                        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Missing Information\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                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     class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__form-buttons-container\">\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--positive at-feedback-submit fl-button secondary\"\n                    type=\"submit\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Submit<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--cancel fl-button primary disabled\"\n                    type=\"reset\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Cancel<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-times-circle medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message\" role=\"status\">\n        <i class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-icon fa fa-check\"><\/i>\n        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-text\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-section-sidebar\">\n        <div class=\"fl-editors-summary\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content\">\n                    <h2>Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?<\/h2>\n                <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\">\n            \n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"fl-list-style-none\">\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Consumer legal issues typically need an attorney&#8217;s support\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    You can hire an attorney to enforce your rights for safe products, fair transactions, and legal credit, banking and related financial matters\n\n                <\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\">\n                <p>Legal cases for identity theft, scams, or the Equal Credit Opportunity Act can be complicated and slow. 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<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>FindLaw&#8217;s Buying a Car section provides resources to help you buy a car, understand financing and warranties, know your consumer legal rights, and 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