Used Car Lemon Law Passed in Philly
While Pennsylvania has always had a lemon law for new cars, Philadelphia has now instituted a lemon law for used cars sold in the city. Mayor Nutter has signed Philadelphia’s first Used Car Lemon Law Bill, sponsored by Councilman Darrell L. Clarke. The Used Car Lemon Law ensures that purchasers of used cars in Philadelphia have the opportunity to have the car inspected by a licensed mechanic with 72 hours of purchase. If a major structural defect is found, the consumer has the right to have to return the car for repair or a full refund.
Here are the details:
**A purchaser of a used car may return their vehicle within 72 hours after purchase if it is unable to pass safety or emissions inspections or found by a certified inspection mechanic to have an undisclosed major structural defect (The mechanic MUST put his findings in writing.)
**Upon return of the car, the dealer has 10 days to either fix the car, entirely at their own expense, or refund the consumer’s money.
**Dealer must also provide a copy of any written warranty to the purchaser within 15 days of payment for the warranty, and shall perform all repairs covered under the warranty promptly. At the time of purchase, the delaer MUST disclose in lareg capital letters whether the warranty is provided by the dealer, the manufacturer or a third-party warranty.
**If you purchased a used car and feel the dealer is not upholding their responsibilities, contact the Philadelphia Office of Consumer Affairs at 215-686-7598. They will take complaints and determine their merit. Repeat offenders face possible suspension or revocation of their Automotbile Sales License and/or Business Privilege License.
Kudos to Mayor Nutter, Councilman Clark and Lance Haver at the Consumer Affairs Office for making this happen.
Popularity: 10% [?]
February 23rd, 2010 at 12:56 pm
[...] after three repair attempts, chances are they can help you. You may have also read about a new Philadelphia lemon law bill being drafted by Councilman Dwight Evans to assist used car [...]
December 1st, 2010 at 9:59 pm
Would the Lemon Law still help me? My dad and I bought a used car in Northeast Philly, the car ran fine when we bought it. Three days later everything started to go; the exhaust, fuel line and radiator. We have had the car for just under a month, we had to get all the above repaired and I have not been able to drive it for most of the month. It now stalls, we had an estimate on the repairs and it would cost over what we paid for the car. Would our car be protected under the Lemon Law? We bought it the weekend of Halloween this year.
Concerned and hopeful
December 7th, 2010 at 5:08 pm
I would start by contacting the Councilman who sponsored the bill. Good luck.
April 30th, 2011 at 8:28 pm
I purchased a used 2000 Maxima from North East had it for 14days and my engine blew. I still owed $280 on the car I dont have the title yet and my temporary tag had 15 more days on it. I took it to a machanic who stated it had the mystery oil BLUE DEVIL in it which was to hold the engine over for a short while so they could sell the car. I have all this documented on my estimate receipt from the mechanic. Will I be covered or should I get a lawyer before having the car towed there monday. Its a saturday night and I just recieved all this info from the mechanic.
May 2nd, 2011 at 4:31 pm
I would contact the State’s Attorney General office to see if they can be of service.
October 29th, 2011 at 4:11 pm
Does it count if it is sold as is? We purchased a van from a dealer and not even 24 hours later the engine stopped working.
November 8th, 2011 at 2:42 pm
At this point, you would need to call Councilman Clark’s office. The Law did not get as far as we hoped.
January 6th, 2012 at 11:52 pm
I bought a car less than 6 months ago. It has been in and out of the shop. They have fixed most of the problems. It has over a 100 thousand miles on it. I am paying each month for it I know it has alot of miles on it but I bought it with the idea that it would work. I don’t know what to do they keep wanting to fix and fix it and until the repair shop says its not fixable the dealership won’t do anything. Is it to late to do anything with the car or should I get a lawyer involved. I still have months and months of payments to pay.
January 10th, 2012 at 3:06 pm
Sadly, it appears the mileage is a problem but contact your state attorney general’s office.
March 12th, 2012 at 5:26 pm
I bought a car and waited two week for the title and the car. When i finally got the car ten hrs later it stop working. Now he won’t talk to me and said its nothing i can do. What rights do i have and what if anything can i do??? Plz help
March 12th, 2012 at 6:16 pm
I bought a car and waited two week for the title and the car. When i finally got the car ten hrs later it stop working. What can i do he said he cant do anything
March 14th, 2012 at 2:40 pm
You do not mention where you live. Contact your local Attorney General’s office.
April 27th, 2012 at 5:29 pm
I purchased a used car and within 6 months I started haven problem and put over $2500 into it. Now the transmission is gone on top of other major repairs needed that’s going to Run me over $3000. the repairs cost is stressing me out I need to know .what to do.
April 30th, 2012 at 3:57 pm
Laj: If you are int he Philadelphia area, I would reach out to the Councilman.