Understanding the Used Car Lemon Laws Alabama
Used Car Lemon Laws Alabama
Used vehicles are not covered under the Alabama Lemon Laws. The vehicles can be sold under “as is” conditions. But you need not worry. You can now take recourse in different kinds of laws which are meant to help you in case you have purchased a used car lemon. First and foremost, you have the Federal Trade Commission or FTC has a used car rule which requires every dealer to provide their customers with a Buyer’s Guide which comprises information regarding warranty and other important information pertaining to the vehicle. In the event you find that the dealer has failed in abiding by the FTC used car rule, you can opt for making a legal claim.
Next, every state has the Unfair and Deceptive Acts and Practices or UDAP laws. This law can be used in the event of a dealer not communicating to you about those issues that pertain to your used car under the previous owner. Further, you have Alabama’s very own Uniform Commercial Code that helps the customers in getting relief. Likewise, you have the Truth in Lending Act along with the Federal Odometer Act which helps the customer in understanding the used car lemon laws Alabama.
Irrespective of whether your state has a used car lemon law or not, there are various other used car lemon laws Alabama which help in protecting a consumer’s interests. Let us try and understand a few of them.
The Magnuson Moss Warranty Act is a federal law which clearly states that every manufacturer has to abide by the terms laid down in the warranty. In Alabama, these warranties could be either written or implied warranties.
According to Alabama Law, under implied warranty, a dealer has certain obligations such as maintaining the overall health of the vehicle. In some instances, the dealers get around these implied warranties and sell the vehicle under ‘as is’ conditions.
Next, is the Warrant of Merchantability, under which the onus is on the buyer to prove that the vehicle was defective at the time of purchase of the vehicle. This is an implied warranty which says that the vehicle has to run like it is supposed to.
Lastly, you have the Truth in Mileage Act or TIMA which is a federal law that helps fight odometer frauds likes rolling back of odometers on used cars. According to a government estimate, approximately about 3.5% of your vehicles have their odometers rolled back. This law can help provided you have been sold a vehicle with false odometer statements