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Lemon Laws
Tires
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Consumer Tips Auto
Auto
The Ohio Attorney General receives more complaints about motor vehicles than any other topic.
When purchasing a car:
Do business only with reputable dealers.
Get everything in writing and read the fine print.
Take the vehicle for an extended test drive.
If a dealer does not provide you a title within 30 days of the purchase date, contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office .
If you trade in a vehicle, confirm with the lender that the lien is paid.
Ask about prior damage, defects, and repair history. Check out the vehicle’s history through the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System at
www.nmvtis.gov
.
Remember, in most cases, you can’t return a car once you drive it off the lot.
Ohio’s
Lemon Law
generally does not apply to used cars. It only covers vehicles within their first year or first 18,000 miles of use, whichever comes first.
Ask a trustworthy mechanic to check the car for problems.
“AS IS” means the car is not covered by warranty. You will generally be responsible for repairs.
When getting your car repaired:
Do your homework. Check out a repair shop’s reputation with the
Ohio Attorney General
, the Better Business Bureau at
www.bbb.org
, or the Ohio Board of Motor Vehicle Collision Repair at
www.collisionboard.ohio.gov
.
Ask about warranties and ensure your agreement is put in writing.
If the repair costs more than $50, ask for a written estimate. Your permission is required if the cost is more than 10 percent of the original estimate.
Save copies of estimates, invoices, work orders, receipts, guarantees, and warranties.