- Bring your paperwork. When you go to return your used car to the dealership, make sure you have all the paperwork from when you bought it. ...
- Make sure the vehicle is in good condition. To make a return, the vehicle needs to be in the same condition as when you purchased it. ...
- Consider an exchange. Your reasoning for returning the used car could vary. ...
Can you return used car if it has problems?
Can You Return a Used Car if It Has Problems? If a consumer purchases a used car and the car turns out to be defective, many consumers hope they will be covered under Lemon Laws, warranties, or in some states, laws regulating “cooling off” periods. A cooling-off period is a short time period allowed by some states after the car is purchased ...
Can I return an used car purchased from a dealer?
When you buy a used car from a dealer and sign a cancellation clause, you can return it as long as you return it within the conditions of the cancellation agreement. In California, licensed dealers must offer consumers who purchase a used car the option to buy a 2-day cancellation before they sign the contract.
Can you return a car after buying it?
In most cases, you will not be able to return a car you just bought — but there are a few exceptions to this rule to be aware of if you end up in a less than ideal situation with a new vehicle. If you’ve purchased a new or used car and you’re having second thoughts about it, in most cases, you won’t be able to return the car.
Can you return an used car back to the dealership?
Yes, you can return a used car to the dealership. In fact, some dealers, including Val-U-Line®, even offer return policies to make the process easier. However, it's important to know a little more about the process of returning a used car before you head to the dealership.
How many days do you have to return a car?
There is no set number of days for returning a car since it is not a common occurrence. For the most part, once the contract has been signed, you c...
What is the best way to return a car?
You'll want to start with the sales manager and plead your case. If that doesn't work, try the general manager. But since returning a vehicle isn't...
Can I return a car if I don't like it?
No. Buyer's remorse or "I changed my mind and I don't like this car" isn't a valid reason to return a vehicle. Make sure to do all your research an...
Is it bad to return a car to the dealer?
It isn't "bad" to return a car to the dealer, but it is bad to get your hopes up that this will actually work. In most cases, you can't return a ve...
Can I Return a Car I Just Bought?
No federal laws exist that outline a return period following a vehicle’s purchase. The one exception is lemon laws, which allow a customer to retur...
Can I Return a Car I Bought on Finance?
The option to return a car after purchase — including those financed — is at the dealer’s discretion. It’s not a state or federal law. And keep in...
Can I Return a Car I Bought Privately?
There is no guarantee you can return a car you purchased from a private individual. It’s up to the individual seller’s discretion as to whether or...
How to Return a Used Car
Returning a used car is a fairly simple process. All you have to do is take the vehicle you purchased back to the dealership within the allotted timeframe or mileage (whichever comes first). Then, let one of the experts in the showroom know that you need to make a return.
Tips for Returning a Used Car
While the used car return process is quite simple, there are a few tips you should keep in mind to make your experience even easier and more convenient. Here are some of the most important tips to consider:
Where to file a complaint against a car dealership?
Your state attorney general's office is another place to look for information on how to file a complaint against a car dealership. The National Association of Attorneys General lists the state attorneys general and their offices' websites. From there you can find information on laws and the complaint process.
What to do if you don't like a car?
You can say that you have discovered you don't like the car or that it will stretch your budget and put you in dire financial straits. If you have buyer's remorse, you can call the salesperson first as a courtesy, but be prepared to contact someone higher up in dealership management, such as the sales manager, general manager or owner.
Can I return a used car?
But unlike other consumer products, it's not easy to return a car. When it comes to new cars, the answers are "no" and "maybe.". (If you're a used-car buyer, you might have better luck returning the car, but it all depends on the state where you live and the individual dealership's policies.) For new cars, your legal rights can be summed up in ...
Is a car a lemon?
It takes time and repeated visits to the service bay to legally establish that a car is a lemon in order to have a vehicle considered under the Lemon Law. Make sure you brush up on the lemon laws in your state to help determine if this is the proper course of action. But sometimes a buyer quickly decides the car is defective and wants to exchange it for a different one or cancel the deal.
How long does it take to cancel a car purchase?
The Federal Trade Commission’s “cooling-off” rule — established in the 1970s — allows consumers 3 days to cancel a transaction. This rule often gets tossed around if a consumer wants to return a car just purchased.
What is the role of depreciation in car sales?
But the immediate car depreciation plays a vital role in consumer protection laws surrounding auto sales. The valuation of a car depends on whether it is considered new or used. The MSRP of a new vehicle at a dealership depends on manufacturer and dealer markups and other factors that influence a new car’s price.
How long does a car have to be in lemon law?
The car buyer must discover the defect within 18 months of delivery or 18,000 miles of use. The lemon law covers all new, used, and leased cars still covered by the manufacturer’s vehicle warranty. . Suppose a vehicle gets deemed irreparable after good-faith attempts to fix its flaws.
How much does the sales tax rule apply to?
The rule applies to purchases of more than $25 and specific kinds of sales tactics like the ones made in your home by pushy door-to-door salesmen. It also applies to sales conducted at a place other than the retailers’ usual place of business or permanent retail location.
How many miles can you depreciate a car?
If your car has fewer than 200 miles , you might be able to recover some of the depreciated value. Upgrade your options. If you have no other options, try upgrading the model you purchased with optional aftermarket features, like an improved sound system or improved performance features to make it more enjoyable.
What to do if you don't want a car?
Sell the car. If you absolutely don’t want the vehicle, you might be able to sell the car in a “like-new” condition. The IRS generally defines a new car as one that is not registered for personal use with a state Department of Motor Vehicles.
Can I refinance my car loan?
Refinance. When you purchase your car with a bank loan, you might have the option to refinance your loan to lower the rate. While you still need to keep the vehicle you may not want, you may be able to reduce the payments you are required to make or shorten or extend the term of the loan you are required to repay.
How long do you have to cancel a used car purchase?
Contrary to popular perception, dealers are not required by law to grant used car buyers a three-day right to cancel the purchase (sometimes expressed as a “buyer’s remorse” allowance). The right to return the car within a specified time only exists if the dealer expressly grants this option to the buyer (preferably, in writing if it needs to be enforced later). Dealers may present the right to cancel option as a “money-back guarantee,” “no questions asked” or “cooling-off period” return policy.#N#The FTC advises that before you proceed with any car purchase, ask the dealer specifically about the return policy, get it in writing and read it carefully. It’s also advantageous to review the written terms with the dealer for clarification to avoid misunderstanding.
What is the FTC rule for used cars?
In an effort to both protect the consumer and encourage fair commerce, the FTC requires dealers (those who sell more than six cars a year) to post a “Buyer's Guide” in every used car offered for sale.
What does "as is" mean in a used car?
A common custom for used car dealers is to offer the vehicle “as is.”. This means that the car has no warranty. If you purchase the car with no warranty, you will be fully responsible for repairing any operational malfunctions and relieve the dealer of any further obligation.
Does a dealer have to offer a return policy?
Although the dealer is not required to offer a return policy, the buyer's guide must specify if the car is being sold “as is” or with a warranty. It also recommended that used car buyers obtain the original buyer's guide or a copy that came with the vehicle from the dealer.
Is buying a used car a good idea?
Buying a used car can be a positive and rewarding experience. Nevertheless, before you commit to making a purchase, familiarize yourself with the laws, rules and recommended guidelines for buying a used car provided by the Federal Trade Commission and your state consumer protection agencies.
Can you cancel a car purchase with a money back guarantee?
Dealers may present the right to cancel option as a “money-back guarantee,” “no questions asked” or “ cooling-off period” return policy . The FTC advises that before you proceed with any car purchase, ask the dealer specifically about the return policy, get it in writing and read it carefully.
What happens if you return a car?
Remember that if you do return the car, you’re liable for any damage you may have caused to it. If you spot damage before or on collection, confirm this with the seller immediately and have them declare in writing that it was already there.
What happens if a car doesn't match the description?
If the car doesn’t match the description, or the seller is no longer operating, you could contact your bank about a “chargeback application”. This is where the bank tries to reverse the transaction.
What to do if you have any doubts about a car?
If you have any doubts about the vehicle, ask for confirmation about the age and condition of the car. Legally, cars must be roadworthy and safe to drive. If they aren’t, then the seller is legally obliged to tell you and you must both agree it’s being bought for scrap or to be repaired at a cost to the buyer.
Do fair use policies apply to cars?
Fair use policies will also apply in the event of any damage to the vehicle happening while in your care. These Regulations only apply if the whole buying process is done online – collecting and signing for the car on premises, or test driving the car before you buy it, could mean they no longer apply.
How long is the cooling off period for auto dealers?
Federal law allows for a three-day cooling off period on many transactions, but it only applies to businesses without permanent establishments that practice high-pressure, door-to-door sales tactics; it explicitly exempts auto dealers.
How many carmax dealerships are there?
Carmax has 190 dealerships around the U.S.
What does it mean when a car is a lemon?
Discovering your car is a lemon — meaning it suffers from consistent, unrepairable mechanical problems — is not typically something that would happen in the first few days of ownership. Every state has its own lemon laws and its own definition of what constitutes a lemon.
Can you cancel a car purchase if you have buyer's remorse?
There are no federal or state laws protecting car buyers who experience buyer’s remorse after purchasing a new car. Some states give buyers of used cars the right to cancel a transaction, while others leave it up to the discretion of the dealer.
Can you return a used car if you bought a used car?
You’ll have the most luck returning a vehicle if you bought a used or certified pre-owned (CPO) car. If you bought a new car, it technically became a used car the moment you drove it off the lot. If a dealer agreed to take it back, they would have to re-sell that otherwise brand-new vehicle as a used vehicle.
Can a dealer take a car off the lot?
Well, once you’ve signed a contract and driven a vehicle off the lot, the cold, hard reality is that a dealer is under no legal obligation to take it back. This doesn’t necessarily mean you’re stuck, though; it all depends on your approach to the situation.
Does refinancing lower your monthly payment?
This can bring down your monthly payment but does typically extend the length of your loan (and the overall interest you end up paying). The upside is that you may also be able to get a lower interest rate by refinancing without hurting your credit score.
How long do you have to return a car after cooling off?
You have the right to cancel from the moment you place the order until 14 days from when you get your car. But you’ll have to return the car within 14 days.
What are my rights if I buy a used car on a credit card?
If you’ve bought a used car from a dealer and things go wrong, you’re protected under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. If the car you’ve bought is above £100 but below £30,000 then you should be covered.
How to avoid buying a car from a fraudulent seller?
To avoid buying the car from a fraudulent seller, always try to view the car at the owner’s property. You may be asked to meet at a mutually convenient location, but try to avoid that. When the viewing takes place, record the address. This is in case something goes wrong and you need to take legal action.
How to get rid of a dodgy car?
To get rid of dodgy cars quickly, dealers sometimes pose as private sellers. When viewing, keep an eye out for other cars for sale parked around the property. And be on guard if you contact the seller about a car and they don’t know which one you’re talking about.
What does it mean to buy a car through a dealership?
Buying through a dealership also means you have some rights under the Sale of Goods Act 1979. The car you’re buying must: Be fit for purpose. Be of satisfactory quality. Match its description. Before you part with your money, make sure you’re happy with the condition of the car for its age and price.
Can you buy a used car from a private seller?
Your rights when buying a used car from a private seller. You might get a cheaper price buying from a private seller, but it’s more of a risk - you have fewer rights if something goes wrong. The seller must be legally allowed to sell the vehicle. The car has to match its description.
Can I get a refund for a used car?
Your rights if you buy a used car on a debit card. It’s sometimes possible to get a refund through your bank – which is known as a chargeback application. It’s not a legal right and it’s only possible if there’s enough money in the company’s bank account to meet the cost. Your bank will try to reverse the transaction.