Does Lemon Law Apply to Used Cars in Washington?

If it’s your first time purchasing a vehicle, it’s only right to ask, “Does lemon law apply to used cars in WA?” Lemon laws are designed to protect WA drivers from unreliable vehicles, untrustworthy sellers, and unfair warranty practices. While lemon laws can apply to both new and used cars, used car lemon laws can vary from state to state. At Universal Auto Group, we put together a guide on Washington state lemon laws for used cars, so you know if you’re protected by purchasing a used or certified pre-owned vehicle. 

What are Lemon Laws?

South Hill drivers should know there are two sets of lemon laws, federal and individual state laws that can vary. Regardless of where you reside, any problems with the vehicle must occur during the time that it is under warranty. Under federal law, a thorough record of service showing an attempt to fix the issue(s) and proof that the car is 100% out of service due to repairs for at least 30 days (non-consecutively) must be presented.

Used Car Lemon Laws 

Currently, these states have used car lemon laws: 

• Washington
• Connecticut
• California
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York

The lemon law in Washington state for used cars requires the following circumstances be met to request arbitration: 

• The vehicle experiences issues within two years of delivery to the original retail consumer and within the first 24,000 miles of operation
• The vehicle meets the other eligibility requirements
• A Request For Arbitration is received by the Lemon Law Administration within 30 months of the original retail delivery date

With these stipulations, you might find that your used vehicle is outside the eligibility requirements. Some Tacoma auto experts suggest that purchasing a brand-new vehicle at Universal Auto Group is less risky than purchasing a used car from a private seller since private sellers abide by different regulations than authorized dealers. 

What to Consider as a Buyer

Before purchasing a used vehicle near Seattle, take the following steps to ensure you’re picking a reliable vehicle:

• Visually inspect the car yourself
• Test drive the car. See how to drive and take note of anything that seems “off”
• Schedule a service appointment to complete a full mechanical inspection 

Explore Used SUVs & Trucks at Universal Auto Group

While lemon laws in Washington state for used cars will likely change in the future, this is where they stand now. If you have further questions on used car lemon laws, contact us at Universal Auto Group.