Used Car question - Lemon Law?

[ohgiddyup]

I went to look at a used car. Test drove it and it ran great. Bought it the next day. On the drive home, it started smoking from the engine. I now need a new head gasket. What is the lemon law in VA? I bought this private party. Is Lemon law just with dealers?

[StupidFlanders]

Lemon laws are only for new cars.
Besides, in the US, the purchase of any cars that don't come with a warranty are 'buyer beware'.

Always have a used car inspected by an independent mechanic. Unfortunately, you learned the hard way and have to eat this cost.

[halsca]

The lemon law basically targets dealers and new vehicles. There have been times when people bought a new car and kept having major problems with it. Law varies from state to state. If you bought the car new and it kept overheating or blowing head gaskets despite being repaired multiple times then you'd have a case under the lemon law.

When you buy a used car you get it as is except in the case of deliberate deception or it has a warranty. An example of deliberate deception would be if you find the engine block is full of stop leak, then you MIGHT have a case in small claims court but it would be hard to make your case.

[peteh]

Lemon laws are for new cars, not used cars. Sorry.

[xx_satanic_mechanic_xx]

for the 10,000th time...

Lemon Law protects buyers of NEW cars while the vehicle is under manufacturer's warranty. Even then, it has very specific parameters: Has to be a recurring failure, manufacturer's defect, and repeated trips to dealer for service.

A used car is AS IS. Once ink is on paper, you own a car along with the problems. Once again, ALWAYS have a used car inspected by a qualified mechanic before you sign on the dotted line. Sure, it will cost you $100 or so - but better to do that and avoid a bad decision, than not do it and wind up where you are.