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The Daily Insight

Is there a lemon law in Indiana for used cars?

Author

Robert Young

Updated on April 26, 2026

Used vehicles weighing less than 10,000 pounds are covered under Indiana's Lemon Law, but the law does not apply to conversion vans, motor homes, farm tractors, mopeds, snowmobiles or vehicle converters. The vehicle must be purchased from an Indiana dealer and can't have more than 18,000 original miles on the odometer.

Similarly, you may ask, are used cars covered under lemon law?

Yes. A used car can and often does qualify under the lemon laws as long as it was sold with a written warranty. Often times, used vehicles are sold while still under the manufacturer's warranty and/or a warranty from the dealer. If this is the case, then your used car may qualify under the lemon laws.

Additionally, is there a 30 day warranty on used cars in Indiana? While the Indiana Lemon Law requires a consumer to provide a vehicle manufacturer with a total of four (4) attempts or thirty (30) days to repair a defect or non-conformity that substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle, the repair attempts may occur throughout the lifetime of the vehicle. I.C.

Moreover, what does the lemon law cover in Indiana?

Indiana's “Lemon Law” (The Motor Vehicle Protection Act) provides protection to Hoosiers who purchase vehicles that don't meet certain basic standards. Report the problem within 18 months of initial ownership of the vehicle or before 18,000 total miles, whichever comes first.

How old can a car be for lemon law?

Used vehicles that have fewer than 18,000 miles or are under 18 months old should be covered under the state's lemon law.

Related Question Answers

Can you return a used car if it has problems?

Whether you're buying from a private party or a dealer, a used car usually cannot be returned. This means that the buyer is willing to take a chance with the car — even though there might be problems with it. Some used car dealers may offer a warranty or guarantee — just make sure you get the terms in writing.

What if I buy a used car and it breaks down?

Yes, if your used car breaks down or needs expensive repairs soon after you bought it from a dealer. *You cannot return a used car and cancel the sale simply because you have changed your mind. The law has no "cooling off" period after you buy a car. Once you sign the contract, the car is yours.

Can I sue a dealership for selling me a bad car?

You can sue a used car dealership for selling you a bad car if they did not properly disclose any known issues with the vehicle. So a car dealer who doesn't tell the potential buyer that the vehicle was previously involved in an accident is engaged in fraud.

What to do when a dealership sells you a lemon?

I was Sold a Lemon Car – What Should I Do? Once you conclude that your car is a lemon, the best option is to call a lawyer to file a claim to get your money back and cancel the contract. A lawyer will have to make a formal claim with all of the paperwork from prior repairs.

What is a lemon law buyback?

A Lemon Law buyback vehicle is a vehicle that has been reacquired by the manufacturer, on or after January 1, 1996, due to specified warranty defect(s). The vehicle must be registered in the manufacturer's name prior to resale to a member of the public.

How long do you have to return a used car in Indiana?

You have the right to receive a valid title to your vehicle within 21 days from the date of sale. You have the right to a full refund of the purchase price of your vehicle, including taxes, fees, and insurance costs, if a dealer does not deliver a title within 21 days.

What qualifies Lemon Law?

The definition of a 'lemon' is a car (often new) that is found to be defective only after its purchase. Any motor vehicle with numerous, severe defects that reoccur after multiple repair attempts is such and the term 'lemon' can also extend to any product with flaws too great or severe to serve its purpose.

What is the warranty on a used car from a dealership?

Secondhand vehicles

For a second hand motor vehicle the Motor Dealers and Repairers Act 2013 provides a statutory warranty of 3 months or 5,000km from the date of sale (whichever occurs first). This applies to second hand vehicles that have traveled less than 160,000 km and are less than 10 years old.

What is state Lemon Law?

Lemon laws are United States state laws that provide a remedy for purchasers of cars and other consumer goods in order to compensate for products that repeatedly fail to meet standards of quality and performance.

Is there a Lemon Law for appliances in Indiana?

There isn't a Lemon Law for appliances as there is for vehicles, where you may be entitled to a replacement if repeated repairs cannot fix a problem.

Does Indiana still have the Lemon Law?

There is no specific used car lemon law in Indiana as the state's law also covers used vehicles. The consumer is covered regardless if they are the vehicle's first owner, as long as the vehicle's warranty is still in effect.

How do I sue someone in Indiana?

How to File a Civil Lawsuit in Indiana
  1. Step 1: Establish legal standing. In order to file a lawsuit in Indiana (or any other state), you must have legal standing.
  2. Step 2: Hire a personal injury lawyer near you.
  3. Step 3: Determine where to file your lawsuit.
  4. Step 4: File and serve your complaint.

What does it mean when a car is lemon?

In American English, a lemon is a vehicle that turns out to have several manufacturing defects affecting its safety, value or utility. Any vehicle with such severe issues may be termed a lemon, and by extension, so may any product with flaws too great or severe to serve its purpose.

What is Ohio's Lemon Law?

Ohio's Lemon Law protects you if you buy a new car but find that it has serious problems. The Lemon Law protects consumers when: A single attempt to fix a serious defect has failed. The vehicle is stuck in the shop for a cumulative total of at least 30 days during its first year or 18,000 miles.

What does the Indiana attorney general do?

The Attorney General of Indiana is a constitutional executive officer of the Indiana state government. The attorney general is the chief legal officer for Indiana. He or she is responsible for the prosecution of all civil actions brought in the name of the state of Indiana or any state agency.

What rights do I have to return a used car?

The Act states the car must be “of a satisfactory quality”, “fit for purpose” and “as described”. (For a used car, “satisfactory quality” takes into account the car's age and mileage.) You have a right to reject something faulty and you're entitled to a full refund within 30 days of purchase in most cases.

Does Indiana have a buyers remorse law?

Understanding your right to cancel

Many Hoosiers mistakenly believe that they can legally cancel contracts or purchase decisions as long as they do it within three days of making an agreement. In most cases, that's simply incorrect. Under Indiana law, a sale is usually considered final immediately.

Can I get my money back after buying a used car?

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. The dealer who sold you the car is usually not legally obligated to take the car back and issue you a refund or exchange after you've signed the sales contract.

Can I change my mind after buying a used car?

If you've changed your mind after agreeing to buy a car, you're often out of luck. A contact to purchase a vehicle is legally binding. Although you may have heard of a three-day "cooling-off" period that allows you time to change your mind after a purchase, it doesn't apply to cars in any state.

How long you have to return a car after purchase?

When you buy a vehicle, there is no “cooling off” period. Even if you “find a better deal,” or “change your mind” a dealer can enforce the contract. The only way you can cancel the contract is if the seller has a policy that says you may.

How do I get my money back from a dealership?

If the dealership has a refund policy clearly posted, or written on the sales contract or receipt, and it chooses not to honor that policy, you can seek legal recourse against the dealership. If the deposit amount is less than the small claims court maximum for your state, you can file a suit there.

What makes a car street legal in Indiana?

To be street legal, a vehicle must have side and rear reflectors (often integrated into the lights). Side reflectors must be amber, and rear reflectors must be red.

Can you cancel a new car purchase after signing?

The vast majority of car dealers have no written policies that allow you to rescind the purchase agreement you've signed. This means your only recourse is to plead your case. 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.

How do you tell if a car is a lemon?

7 telltale signs your car is a lemon
  1. Has Bad or Strong Odors. If the car has strong odors or just smells bad, it might be a bad sign.
  2. Poorly Written Ad.
  3. A Bad Warranty.
  4. The Bumper is Stiff.
  5. Worn Out Tires.
  6. Mismatching Paint Colors.
  7. Problems With the Windows and Locks.

How many recalls before a car is a lemon?

Per California lemon law, the vehicle must have a substantial defect that impairs its “safety, value, or functionality.” You only have to prove an impairment to one of the three. A recall affecting the value would qualify. For the most part, receiving a legitimate lemon law claim with a single recall can be tough.

How do I apply for lemon law?

How to File a Lemon Law Claim
  1. Take Your Vehicle in for Repairs. The basis for a strong lemon law claim is multiple repair attempts for the same issue or problem.
  2. Accurately Report Any and All Concerns.
  3. Keep All of Your Documentation.
  4. Present Your Lemon Law Claim Sooner Than Later.
  5. Hire an Experienced Lemon Law Attorney.

How long does the lemon law last?

We've already said that the lemon law statute of limitations is four years, so you don't have to file your claim within 18 months or 18,000 miles. You only have to be able to prove that your car began experiencing issues within that time frame.

Which states have lemon laws?

Currently, only seven states have used car lemon laws: Connecticut, California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, and New York. Sadly, even in the states in which they are active, the application of these laws is very limiting and rarely helps.

How do you win a lemon law case?

To have a successful lemon law claim, you will need to provide proof of the number of repair attempts for the repeated defect. First, you should explain in detail all the issues encountered. For example, be specific with what exactly occurs as well as any out of the ordinary sounds or noises.

What is a cash and keep settlement?

Many times the problems with a vehicle may not rise to the level of a “substantial impairment.†In these situations, the manufacturer will often pay the consumer a “cash and keep†settlement. This is where you will keep your vehicle and receive a sum of money for the problems you experienced with it.

Is lemon a law?

Lemon Laws in the U.S.

Ontario, B.C., Alberta, Nova Scotia, Quebec and Manitoba have enacted legislation on the issue. Whereas in Nova Scotia and Manitoba, the laws only compel dealers to disclose the vehicle's history and whether another jurisdiction branded the vehicle as a lemon.

What is the single greatest expense of owning a car?

Driving doesn't come cheap, and parking is even worse. The average U.S. driver was saddled with $10,288 in total driving costs in 2017, and parking was found to be the largest single expense for vehicle owners, according to a recent study by INRIX, a leader in transportation analytics and connected car services.