NC lemon law used vehicles are not covered under North Carolina’s New Motor Vehicles Warranties Act. That law applies to new vehicles only. However, if you purchased a used vehicle that came with an existing warranty, you may still have options under federal law.
The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and Used Vehicles
The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is a federal law that covers written warranties on consumer products — including used vehicles. If your used vehicle came with a dealer warranty, a service contract, or a remaining manufacturer warranty, this law may protect you. In addition, it gives you many of the same remedies as NC’s Lemon Law — including the right to a refund or replacement if the seller cannot fix a covered defect.
However, there are important limitations. First, the vehicle must have come with a written warranty at the time of purchase. As-is vehicles — those sold without any warranty — are generally not covered. In addition, we only review used vehicle warranty claims for vehicles newer than ten model years.
What About Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles?
Certified pre-owned vehicles often come with remaining manufacturer warranties. As a result, they may qualify for protection under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. If your CPO vehicle has experienced repeated warranty repair failures, call us. We can review your situation and tell you whether you have a viable claim.
Not Sure What Applies to Your Situation?
Every used vehicle situation is different. Call us at 919.981.4475 or contact us online for a free case review. You can also visit the Federal Trade Commission’s guide on used car warranties for more information. Read our case results to see what we have won for NC consumers. No fee unless we win.
