Massachusetts Used Car Lemon Law
If you buy a used car or other vehicle in Massachusetts, there are laws designed to protect you from dishonest salespeople. These laws are known as the “Lemon Laws.” They protect you when salespeople sell you a car with serious issues or a car that is different from what they advertised. The protections are stronger if you bought your car from a dealer, but also apply if you bought your car from a private seller.
These laws do not apply to leased cars. They only apply to bought cars. But they can apply if you used a loan to buy your car.
Did I buy from a dealer or a private seller?
The answer to this question is not always obvious. If you bought your car from a storefront or from a lot full of cars with stickers and prices on them, it’s probably safe to assume you bought your car from a dealer. Most of these places call themselves dealerships but even if they don’t, they still are. They should know about the warranties they have to give with each car they sell.
But, there are also car dealers that are less obvious. Anyone who sells more than 3 cars in a year is a car dealer1. This includes people who “flip” cars online, even if they tell you they are a private seller. Resale sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace are full of unlicensed dealers, and many of them are not honest about this. Some of these sellers try to claim their cars are sold “as is,” but this is not usually true.
M.G.L. 90, § 7N ¼ (1)
M.G.L. 90, § 7N ¼ (2)
M.G.L. 90, § 7N ¼ (3)
M.G.L. 90, § 7N ¼ (4)
M.G.L. 90, § 7N ¼ (3)
M.G.L. 90, § 7N ¼ (6)
M.G.L. 90, § 7N
M.G.L. 90, § 7N ¼ (8)
M.G.L. 90, § 7N ¼ (3)
Apply for Lemon Law arbitration without going to court