Lemon Law Buybacks
The truth about Lemon Law buybacks
A branded title can mean a better price - not necessarily a bad car.
You have found the right vehicle. It is newer than you expected, the mileage is low, it has the features you want - and the price seems almost too good. Then you see the words <em>Lemon Law Buyback</em>. Before you move on, it is worth understanding what that actually means.
A buyback is not a salvage vehicle
This is the misconception we meet most often. A salvage title generally results from a vehicle being declared a total loss after significant damage. A Lemon Law buyback is a vehicle the manufacturer reacquired following a warranty-related concern. Those are very different histories, and they should not be treated as the same thing.
Which is why we would rather you understood why a particular vehicle was bought back than made a decision on the word "Lemon" alone.
See it for yourself
The discount is the whole argument
Ask what a comparable vehicle without the branded history costs, then compare it with the price of the car you are considering. The difference is the value proposition, and it is one you can check yourself.
For some shoppers that difference will not be enough. For others, saving thousands on the vehicle they actually want makes a great deal of sense.
Why shoppers consider them
Save thousands on a comparable vehicle
A buyback carries a permanent branded history, and that generally reduces its market value against an otherwise similar car. You are not paying the same price and ignoring the history - you are receiving a discount because of it.
More car for the money
A budget usually forces a compromise: an older model, higher mileage, a lower trim, fewer options. A buyback can move you into a vehicle that would otherwise be out of reach.
The manufacturer was involved
This is not a car traded in because someone lost interest. The manufacturer reacquired it through the warranty or Lemon Law process, which leaves a documented history you can review.
You can see exactly what you are saving
Ask what a comparable vehicle without the branded history costs, then compare. The difference is the whole argument, and it is one you can check yourself.
It matters more if you keep your cars
A branded history can reduce what the vehicle is worth when you sell or trade it. If you change cars yearly that matters a lot. If you drive them for years, the saving up front may matter more.
Today's vehicle, yesterday's price
A history follows a car and affects its market value. But you drive the vehicle as it is today, so weigh both: the history and the current condition.
Not every buyback has the same story
"Lemon Law Buyback" is a title designation. It does not tell you the whole story of the vehicle. Two buybacks can have completely different histories, which is why we think each one should be evaluated on its own. The questions worth asking are the same every time:
- What was the customer's original concern?
- Why did the manufacturer repurchase the vehicle?
- What repairs were attempted or performed?
- How does the vehicle perform today?
- How much less does it cost because of that history?
Then compare it with what a similar vehicle without that history costs. The difference is the value proposition. For some shoppers it will not be enough. For others, saving thousands on the vehicle they actually want makes a great deal of sense.
Buyback vehicles in stock now
We will tell you it is a buyback, help you understand the available history, show you the vehicle, and let you decide whether the savings make sense.
Lemon Law buyback questions
What a branded title does and does not mean, and what to weigh before you buy one.
See the vehicle. See the history. See the savings.
We are comfortable talking about Lemon Law buybacks because we believe informed customers make better decisions. Come and compare the value for yourself.
Important: Lemon Law Buyback vehicles have branded histories that may affect future resale value, financing and insurance. Vehicle histories, reported concerns, repairs and warranty coverage vary by vehicle. Customers should review all applicable disclosures and documentation for the specific vehicle before purchase.