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Beyond the Lemon Law: North Carolina Consumer Protection

By: david

In regards to the consumer protection laws that most states refer to collectively as the lemon law, NC regulations only apply to new vehicle purchases. There are, however, some steps that you as the consumer can take to protect your rights (and your wallet) when purchasing a used car. When you're purchasing a vehicle that has had one or more prior owners, you need to be particularly cautious. Granted, used cars can save you a ton of money, but it's not at all worth it if you end up with a whole new set of problems. Where NC lemon law isn't applicable, the consumer is left to their own devices. Here are a few tips to help you decide whether or not to purchase that used vehicle you've had your eye on.

Never buy an automobile "as is", unless you actually want to have a fixer-upper on your hands. There are no warranties involved in an as is sale. If you simply must buy a used car as is, you should only do so if the seller will allow the mechanic of your choice to conduct a thorough inspection. Make sure this is done before you sign any documents. If you want an as is vehicle for a repair project, just make sure you have the vehicle brought up to standard and safety-certified before you take it for a cruise.

Always conduct your own title search. If the seller presents you with a title search, but you believe it to be fraudulent, do your own title search on the VIN through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You can have the title checked through government files at the DMV, and then a vehicle history report completed through a service like CARFAX. Don't give that seller a dime of your money until you've done a full title search and vehicle history report on the automobile.

Watch out for curbsiders. If a seller isn't conducting the sale in their own name, they refuse to meet you at their home, the car has been freshly painted, or the VIN looks as though it's been altered, you may have a curbsider on your hands. Curbsiders are cars that have been stolen and re-sold to buyers who don't suspect a thing. The stolen vehicles come complete with fake documentation and fraudulent VIN numbers. Even if you unknowingly purchase a curbsider, the car can still be repossessed and there will be nothing you can do to take action outside of a civil lawsuit. North Carolina lemon law won't protect you in such cases.

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. No one is going to take a huge loss on the sale of a used car, not even the most motivated seller. If you think someone has tampered with the vehicle, you can check the odometer readings from previous owners via a CARFAX report. This will show the progression of mileage from owner to owner. The typical vehicle owner drives their car anywhere from 12 to 18 thousand miles each year. Always be on the look out for good deals, but avoid the ones that seem too good to be true.

About the author

Written by Kacy Suther. Learn about the North Carolina lemon law. Find out if you have an NC Lemon Law case. Get a free quote and more info about lemon law North Carolina: attorney Sean Soboleski at www.nclemonlawattorney.com .

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