Recalls & Defects

Automobile Consumer Rights Summaries
Auto Repairs
Mass. Gen. Law Chapter 93A
940 Code of Mass. Regs. 5.00
All work not performed in a workmanlike manner must be repaired at no charge.

On request, you must be given a written repair estimate. If repairs are going to cost more than $10 above the estimate, the shop must get your permission to go ahead at the higher price before doing the work. Your authorization may be verbal if all disclosures are made to you. No charges are allowed for unauthorized work.

Repair shops cannot represent that certain repairs are necessary or desirable when such is not the case.

You have a right to get back any parts replaced by the repair shop. If covered by a warranty or rebuilding arrangement, you may view the parts, but may not be able to keep them.

New Car Lemons
Mass. Gen. Law Chapter 90
Section 7N-1/2
New car buyers are protected under the Massachusetts Lemon Law against serious defects in their new vehicle for one year or 15,000 miles, whichever comes first.

During this period, the dealer or manufacturer must fix at no charge any defect which substantially impairs the vehicle's use, market value or safety.

You must allow a reasonable number of repair attempts: three times for the same substantial defect or 15 business days out of service for any combination of serious defects.

If all the required attempts fail, and you give the manufacturer a formal 7 business day "last chance" to fix the car, but that fails too, you are entitled to a refund or replacement.

Used Car Lemons
Mass. Gen. Law Chapter 90
Sections 7N-1/4, 7N
Used car buyers purchasing a vehicle over $699 from a dealer are entitled to a warranty covering all parts and labor for use or safety defects according to the mileage on the odometer:

under 40,000 miles - 90 days or 3,750 miles
40,000 - 79,999 - 60 days or 2,500 miles
80,000 - 124,999 - 30 days or 1,250 miles
Before you can get a refund under the Used Car Lemon Law, you must give the dealer 3 repair attempts for the same defect or the car must be out of service for 11 business days. (7N-1/4)

A separate law, the Lemon Aid Law, lets you get a faster refund if the car fails inspection within 7 days of purchase and if inspection-related repairs are going to cost more than 10% of the purchase price. You must return the car to the seller (dealer or private party) within 14 days with a written repair estimate signed by the inspector stating why the car failed inspection. (7N)

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