If you buy a used car from a private owner, ask for the car's maintenance and repair records and, if the seller is the first owner, for records of the original purchase. Also, check the title to make sure the person selling the car is the legal owner. New York Used Car Lemon Law Consumers who purchase a car from any other than a private seller are protected under the New York Used Car Lemon Law. Cars with under 18,000 miles may be covered by the new car lemon law. Cars with over 100,000 miles are not covered.
Dealers are responsible for major repairs.
Copies of the lemon law must be given out to consumers when they purchase the car. Checking It Out When you are judging the quality of a used car, try to inspect the car in daylight, and in good weather. Bring a friend along, if possible, to help you make a thorough appraisal. Expecting perfection in a secondhand car is impractical. Be willing to compromise on minor problems that you can correct yourself, but at the same time, do not let yourself be talked out of focusing on more serious defect.