What Is the Lemon Law in Massachusetts for Used Cars
Massachusetts lemon law for used vehicles, officially known as the Used Vehicle Warranty Law is codified as Chapter 90, Section 7N1/4. Unlike most states, Massachusetts provides lemon law protection for used vehicles purchased from dealers for personal or family use. The law applies to used cars sold by Massachusetts dealers, costing at least $700, with fewer than 125,000 miles on the odometer at the time of sale.
Massachusetts provides mandatory warranty protection based on vehicle mileage at sale. Vehicles with fewer than 40,000 miles receive coverage for 90 days or 3,750 miles driven after purchase. Vehicles between 40,000 and 79,999 miles receive coverage for 60 days or 2,500 miles. Vehicles between 80,000 and 124,999 miles receive coverage for 30 days or 1,250 miles. Vehicles exceeding 125,000 miles receive no lemon law warranty. Defects must substantially impair use, market value, or safety to qualify for protection.
What Protections Do Used Car Buyers Have in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts establishes comprehensive dealer obligations through its Used Vehicle Warranty Law, requiring all dealers selling vehicles under 125,000 miles to provide written warranties against defects impairing use or safety. Additionally, some federal laws also protect used car buyers in Massachusetts.
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act
The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act supplements Massachusetts law by providing remedies for breaches of written warranties, implied warranties, and service contract terms. Buyers can recover damages, replacement vehicles, refunds, and attorney fees when warranty obligations are violated.
FTC Used Car Rule
The FTC Used Car Rule requires dealers to display Buyers Guides identifying warranty coverage or "as is" status, describing covered systems and warranty duration, specifying repair cost divisions between dealer and buyer, and recommending independent inspections before purchase.
Understanding "As Is" Sales in Massachusetts
Massachusetts prohibits dealers from selling used vehicles "as is" when those vehicles qualify for mandatory warranty protection under state law. Unlike most jurisdictions, Massachusetts does not permit dealers to disclaim the statutory warranties required for vehicles under 125,000 miles sold for $700 or more.
What "As Is" Means for Massachusetts Buyers
Massachusetts dealers cannot use "as is" language to waive mandatory warranty obligations established by state law. Even when contracts contain "as is" provisions, dealers remain responsible for repairing defects that substantially impair vehicle use, safety, or market value during the statutory warranty period. The mandatory warranty applies regardless of contractual disclaimer language.
Massachusetts law extends limited protection even to private party sales. Private sellers must disclose all known defects that impair safety or substantially impair vehicle use before completing sales. This disclosure requirement applies regardless of price or mileage. Buyers discovering undisclosed defects within 30 days of purchase can cancel sales and recover purchase prices from private sellers who knowingly concealed problems.
Limited Dealer Disclosure Requirements
Massachusetts dealers must provide written contracts for every vehicle sale, clearly disclosing stock numbers, that the vehicles are used, and complete warranty terms. Dealers advertising used vehicles must disclose prices clearly and conspicuously, including any additional fees or charges beyond the advertised price. Massachusetts regulations prohibit deceptive advertising practices that misrepresent vehicle condition, history, or warranty coverage.
Limited Exceptions to "As Is" Protection
Massachusetts buyers retain recourse despite "as is" designations when dealers engage in prohibited conduct. Dealers selling vehicles under 125,000 miles for $700 or more cannot use "as is" language to eliminate mandatory statutory warranties. Attempts to disclaim these warranties violate state law and constitute unfair or deceptive practices under Massachusetts consumer protection statutes.
Filing a Consumer Complaint
Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Advocacy & Response Division
One Ashburton Place, 18th Floor, Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 727-8400
Official Website: Office of the Attorney General
