PA Lemon Law and Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles
Does the PA Lemon Law Apply to Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Cars? We take a further look into the PA Lemon Law and Federal Warranty Act (Magnuson Moss Act) in this article.
Each year, thousands of Certified Pre Owned cars are sold in Pennsylvania. According to Cox Automotive, more than 2.7 million CPO cars were sold to consumers in 2021.
When purchasing a vehicle, a certified pre-owned vehicle is a good compromise between new and used. Although these cars have been inspected and certified, there is still a risk that you will buy a lemon.
Here’s what you need to know about PA lemon law and certified pre-owned cars.
What is a Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle in Pennsylvania?
Buying a certified pre-owned (CPO) car is much more than just purchasing a used car. Essentially, it’s a used car, but inspected and reconditioned to new car standards according to the manufacturer and come with a manufacturer’s warranty.
Typically, certified pre-owned vehicles are used cars sold by dealerships with less than 80,000 miles and less than eight years old.
Buying a certified pre-owned car gives you peace of mind – and a warranty backed by the automaker.
CPO Vehicles: Warning Signs When Buying a Certified Pre-Owned Car
The dealer must disclose information about the vehicle’s history when selling a certified pre-owned car. A car’s accident and repair history, as well as its rental history, are vital information to know.
You should be wary of dealers who refuse to give you this information, as they could be trying to sell you a lemon.
According to Consumer Reports, here are the warning signs when buying a CPO used car.
- Smell of Mold or Mildew
- Misaligned body panels
- Failure to show repair history
- Open Recalls
Certified Pre-Owned Car Warranty vs. Extended Warranty
CPO warranties cover the vehicle for a specified period of time and are included in the purchase price. The extended warranty provides additional coverage beyond the original warranty period, and must be purchased separately.
Both certified pre-owned (CPO) and extended warranties cover vehicles, but they differ in several ways:
- Coverage: CPO warranties cover bumper-to-bumper defects for a specific period of time and are included in the cost of a certified pre-owned vehicle. An extended warranty, on the other hand, is purchased separately and provides additional coverage for specific parts or systems beyond the original warranty period.
- Cost: A CPO warranty is included in the purchase price of a CPO vehicle. An extended warranty, however, must be purchased separately and can be expensive.
- Eligibility: CPO warranties are only available for certified pre-owned vehicles that meet certain criteria set by the manufacturer, such as a certain age, mileage, and condition. An extended warranty can be purchased for any vehicle, regardless of whether it is new or used.
- Transferability: A CPO warranty is transferable to a subsequent owner, which provides an added benefit to the seller. Depending on the terms and conditions, an extended warranty may or may not be transferable.
PA Lemon Law and Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Cars
Unfortunately, certified pre-owned (CPO) cars are not covered under the PA Lemon Law. Despite CPO cars having added warranty protection, they are designated as “used” and therefore do not fall under the PA Lemon Law.
The PA Lemon Law applies only to new cars which are registered in Pennsylvania. Used cars, including CPO cars, are not included in the PA Lemon Law coverage.
However, even though a certified pre-owned (CPO) car does not fall under the PA Lemon Law, there is still coverage under the Federal Warranty Act.
The Federal Warranty Act, is a national law which applies to all states including Pennsylvania, and covers both new and used cars, including CPO vehicles.
If a CPO vehicle in Pennsylvania meets these criteria under the Federal Warranty Act, and cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts, the owner may be entitled to compensation.
Information for your Certified Pre Owned (CPO) Car
A certified pre-owned vehicle is your best bet when purchasing a used vehicle. However even with the added CPO warranty benefits, you may still end up with a lemon.
Our PA lemon law team can help you if you purchased a certified pre-owned vehicle and are having problems that cannot be repaired.
We are the Lemon Law Experts, and have helped thousands of consumers with their PA Lemon Law, NJ Lemon Law, NY Lemon Law, and HI Lemon Law claims.
Contact the lemon law lawyers today for free help at no cost to you.
