Wanderlust World Wanderlust World The Connecticut Used Car Lemon Law is a state law that protects consumers who purchase used vehicles. Under the lemon law, consumers can return vehicles that have substantial defects or are unsafe to drive.
To be eligible for protection under the lemon law, a vehicle must meet the following criteria:
- The vehicle must be purchased from a licensed used car dealer in Connecticut.
- The vehicle must be covered by a warranty that is at least 30 days long.
- The defect must be reported to the dealer within 30 days of the purchase date.
- The defect must be so severe that it affects the safety or value of the vehicle.
- The dealer must not be able to repair the defect within a reasonable amount of time.
If a consumer believes they have purchased a lemon, they should follow these steps:
1. Contact the dealer in writing and inform them of the defect
2. Negotiate with the dealer to resolve the problem.
3. File a complaint with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection.
4. If the Department of Consumer Protection is unable to resolve the dispute, the consumer may file a lawsuit in small claims court.
The Connecticut Used Car Lemon Law provides consumers with several important protections when buying used vehicles:
- It gives consumers the right to return vehicles with substantial defects.
- It requires dealers to make reasonable attempts to repair defects.
- It provides consumers with a process for resolving disputes with dealers.
Remedies under Lemon Law:
- Replacement of the vehicle.
- Refund of the purchase price, less reasonable allowance for depreciation.
- Rescission of the contract and return of the vehicle in the same condition, along with any payments made less a mileage charge.
- Consequential damages, such as rental car costs, towing expenses, and incidental expenses.