Does Pennsylvania Have A Used Car Lemon Law?

Does Pennsylvania Have A Used Car Lemon Law?

Pennsylvania does not currently have a specific "used car" lemon law at this time. Fortunately, however, you may be able to bring a lemon law -type claim if you have purchased a "used" vehicle that still had some of the original manufacturer's warranty on it at the time of it's purchase. If your used vehicle suffered a defect while under the original manufacturer's warranty, there is a federal law called the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act that covers used cars that have a written warranty on them. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act protects consumers who purchase any product that costs over $25 and comes with a written warranty, so a used car would be covered by this law.

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is similar to the Pennsylvania Lemon Law in many regards, and in some aspects, its better. Like the Pennsylvania Lemon Law, the Act provides for a refund or free replacement of the defective product, and further provides for recovery of all associated costs including Attorney fees for bringing such a claim. If the purchaser can show that the used vehicle suffered a substantial defect or non-conformity during the warranty period, and the manufacturer was unable to remedy that defect, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act will provide relief to the purchaser. The Magnuson-Moss Act is an act that was designed to ensure that manufacturers (of any product) who offer a written warranty on that product abide by and honor the terms of any warranty that they give. A purchaser of a used motor vehicle is a prime candidate to use this law in the event that he purchases a used "lemon", because the original manufacturer's warranty transfers to all subsequent owners of the vehicle until it expires based upon mileage or a given length of time.

In practice, Lemon Law Attorneys have used this Act very successfully in Pennsylvania to protect purchasers of defective "used" motor vehicles. If your used vehicle has suffered a defect while still under the original manufacturer's warranty, you may be entitled to a full refund or free replacement.