Vehicles Covered:

The law applies to used cars, vans, trucks and demonstration vehicles not covered by the New Car Lemon Law, and which:

• are sold by a Massachusetts dealer or private party,
• cost at least $700 (dealer sales only),
• have fewer than 125,000 miles on the odometer when sold (dealer sales only).

Demonstration or executive vehicles are covered under the law under certain circumstances. You must first determine whether the vehicle meets the requirements of the New Car Lemon Law. You may use the Used Vehicle Warranty Law only if you do not qualify to be accepted for the New Car Lemon Law.

Vehicles Not Covered:

The following are not covered under the Used Vehicle Warranty Law:

• motorcycles, mopeds, dirtbikes;
• leased vehicles;
• auto homes, and vehicles built primarily for off-road use;
• any vehicle used primarily for business purposes, or purchased by, owned by or registered to a business

Private Party Sales:

The Used Vehicle Warranty Law applies differently to a vehicle purchased from a private party than it does if purchased from a dealer. Under the law, a dealer is anyone who sells four or more vehicles in a 12 month period.

The Used Vehicle Warranty Law requires private party sellers to inform buyers about any and all known defects which impair the safety or substantially impair the use of the vehicle. The law applies to all private party sales regardless of sales price or mileage. If you discover a defect that impairs the vehicle’s safety or substantially impairs the use, and can prove that the seller knew about the defect but failed to disclose it, you may cancel the sale within thirty days of purchase. The seller must refund the amount you paid for the vehicle, less 15 cents per mile of use.