Used Vehicle Laws Under Warranty in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Used Vehicle Warranty Law covers used vehicles against safety and operating defects when purchased from a used car dealer or a private seller. It is also often referred to as an express warranty. The law is regulated and enforced by the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation.

Purchases from Dealers

All vehicle dealers are required to provide customers with a warranty. Vehicles with less than 40,000 miles are covered under warranty for 90 days or 3,750 miles. Vehicles with between 40,000 to 79,999 miles are covered for 60 days or 2,500 miles. Vehicles with 80,000 to 124,999 miles are covered for 30 days or 1,250 miles. Vehicles with more than 125,000 miles are not covered under the warranty law. If the mileage on the vehicle is undetermined or unknown, the law has provisions. Vehicles less than three years old are covered for 90 days or 3,750 miles. Vehicles between three years but less than six years old are covered for 60 days or 2,500 miles. Vehicles older than six years are covered for 30 days or 1,250 miles.

Private Party Sales

When you purchases a used vehicle from a private party (defined by law as one who sells fewer than four vehicles in a 12-month period) the warranty law is different. The seller is obligated to inform the buyer of all safety and operational defects. This applies to used vehicles of any age or mileage. The buyer has 30 days from the date of the sale to cancel the sale if he finds a safety or operational defect in the vehicle that was not disclosed by the seller. Under this circumstance the seller must refund the buyer for the cost of the vehicle. The buyers refund is deducted 15 cents for each mile the car was driven during the sale period.

Coverage Exceptions

Not all vehicles are covered under the Massachusetts Used Vehicle Warranty Law. Vehicles that are leased, used for commercial purposes or registered to a business are not covered. Additionally, vehicle categories such as mobile homes, off-road or all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, mopeds and dirt bikes are not covered.