Department of Consumer Affairs

• A motor vehicle has 24,000 miles or less, the dealer must provide his customer with a warranty for 90 days or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first.
• A motor vehicle has more than 24,000 miles, but less than 60,000 miles, the dealer must provide the customer with a warranty lasting 60 days or 2,000 miles, whichever comes first.
• A motor vehicle that has between 60,000 and 100,000 miles, the dealer must provide the customer with a warranty for 30 days or 1,000 miles, whichever comes first.

What Is Not Covered by the Law?

• Motor vehicles sold for less than $3,000.
• Motor vehicles which are seven (7) or more years old.
• Motor vehicles that have been declared a total loss by an insurance company.
• Motor vehicles that have odometer readings of more than 100,000 miles.
• Motor vehicles that were not purchased from a dealer.

What Parts Are Covered

• The Engine - All internal lubricated parts, timing chains, gears and cover, timing belt, pulleys and cover, oil pump and gears, water pump, valve covers, oil pan, manifolds, flywheel, harmonic balancer, engine mounts, seals and gaskets, and turbo-charger housing. (Housing, engine blocks and cylinder heads are covered only if they are damaged by the failure of an internal lubricated part.)
• Transmission Automatic/Transfer Case - All internal lubricated parts, torque converter, vacuum modulator, transmission mounts, seals and gaskets.
• Transmission Manual/Transfer Case - All internal lubricated parts, transmission mounts, seals and gaskets, but excluding a manual clutch, pressure plate, throw-out bearings, clutch master or slave cylinders.
• Front-Wheel Drive - All internal lubricated parts, axle shafts, constant velocity joints, front hub bearings, seals and gaskets.
• Rear-Wheel Drive - All internal lubricated parts, propeller shafts, supports and U-joints, axle shafts and bearings, seals and gaskets.

What the Dealer Must Do

• The dealer has been unsuccessful at fixing the same material defect after at least three attempts.
• The vehicle has been out of service for 20 cumulative days while the dealer is attempting to fix it. The consumer must pay a $50 deductible for each repair of each covered item.

Before Buying That Used Motor Vehicle

• Looking for leaks -With the engine off, check the pavement under the motor vehicle. A wet, black stain means leaking oil. A reddish stain is transmission fluid or power steering fluid. If the stain is colorless to green, it could mean a leak in the cooling system.
• Taking the car on a test drive - Don't consider buying the motor vehicle if the seller won't let you drive it yourself. A demonstration ride, where you sit in the passenger seat while the seller drives, is not sufficient. Without driving the motor vehicle yourself, you won't be able to tell if it's comfortable or how well it handles.
• Getting an independent evaluation. Whenever possible, take the car to an independent mechanic for a thorough inspection before you buy it. Choose a mechanic yourself, preferably someone you've worked with in the past and know to be trustworthy and someone who has nothing to gain if you buy the motor vehicle. Most mechanics will charge a fee for this service.