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Law Offices of
Howard D. Silver

513 Water Oak Lane, No. A,
Oak Park, CA 91377

Phone: 818-597-2610 or
866-49-lemon (866-495-3666)
Fax: 818-879-0862

E-mail: hsilver@howardsilverlaw.com

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Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles And The Lemon Law

So you just bought a certified pre-owned vehicle. In 2007 alone, 1.6 Million of these certified pre-owned vehicles were sold in the United States. A majority of these vehicles were no more than six or seven years old and had relatively low mileage. However, the question many ask is, does buying a certified pre-owned vehicle protect you from getting stuck with a lemon. Unfortunately, the answer to that question is a resounding “NO.”

Almost all of these vehicles carry extended warranties and are inspected by dealer mechanics to pass a factory checklist. After that, the dealer makes any necessary repairs and upgrades. This is why certified pre-owned vehicles cost about $1,700 more than a used vehicle that is not certified. The primary advantage that a consumer derives from buying a certified pre-owned vehicle is the extended warranty. The warranties vary widely depending on the brand, make and model. While coverage could be six years and 100,000 miles for a BMW, it could stop at three months and 3,000 miles for a Dodge.

Although certified pre-owned vehicles carry no guarantee that they will be devoid of defects, they tend to be in better shape than standard used cars. But it is still advisable to check the car to see if it is a defective certified pre-owned vehicle, preferably using an independent mechanic. You can also ask the dealer for an inspection sheet and it will help your mechanic do a more thorough and detailed inspection so you don’t end up with a lemon.

There are still many more steps you can take to make sure you don’t get stuck with a “certified pre-owned lemon.” Here are some tips:

• Shop around for the best deal just as you would for a new car and don’t forget to negotiate. Be sure to comparison shop for the best certification programs. Sites such as Kelley Blue Book and Intellichoice make it easy for you to see what each manufacturer’s program has to offer in terms of warranties and inspections.
• Find out from the dealer what parts were checked out and fixed during their inspection. Do your research. Look up the model to see if it has a history of maintenance problems. Find out if expensive repairs have been made of if such repairs are covered under the warranty.
• Get all the details about the warranty program to find out how much you will have to pay for repair costs if the vehicle breaks down.
• Be careful when you are dealing with these certified programs. Ask a lot of questions.

If you think the certified pre-owned vehicle you bought is a lemon and you want your money back or another car, you should contact the Law Offices of Howard D. Silver today for a free, half hour consultation with one of our experienced California Lemon Law attorneys.