Order a CARFAX Vehicle History Report ... the first step to protecting yourself against buying used cars with costly hidden problems. CARFAX searches its nationwide database and provides a detailed vehicle history report in seconds.
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) can be found on dashboards, driver's side door jamb stickers, and title documents. Also check your car insurance card! All cars and light trucks built after 1981 have a unique 17-character VIN that provides access to valuable information about that vehicle's history. The letters I, O and Q never appear in a VIN. Also find VINs on the web – including dealers' sites and car listings sites. Simply cut & paste – it's easy
shopping tips:To check used vehicles while you shop, be sure to ask the dealer/seller for the VIN.
Order CARFAX ReportsTotaled and Rebuilt? Flood Damage? Odometer Fraud? Avoid buying a used car with these potential problems. Order CARFAX Vehicle History Reports to:
Alabama Qualification:3 unsuccessful repairs or 30 calendar days within shorter of 24 months or 24,000 miles, provided 1 repair attempt or 1 day out of service is within shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Certified mail notice to manufacturer + opportunity for final repair attempt within 14 calendar days.
AlaskaQualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs or 30 business days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Written notice by certified mail to manufacturer + dealer (or repair agent) that problem has not been corrected in reasonable number of attempts + refund or replacement demanded within 60 days. Manufacturer has 30 calendar days for final repair attempt. State has certified guidelines for arbitration.
ArizonaQualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 calendar days within shorter of 2 years or 24,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Written notice + opportunity to repair to manufacturer.
ArkansasQualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs, or 1 unsuccessful repair of a problem likely to cause death or serious bodily injury within longer of 24 months or 24,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Certified or registered mail notice to manufacturer. Manufacturer has 10 days to notify consumer of repair facility. Facility has 10 days to repair.
CaliforniaQualification: 4 times subject to repair or 30 calendar days out of service (can be non-consecutive) within shorter of 18 months or 18,000 miles, or ìreasonableî number of attempts during entire express warranty period.† Notification/Trigger: Direct written notice to manufacturer + delivery of car to repair facility for repair attempt within 30 days. UPDATE:† As of 1/1/01, only 2 times subject to repair allowed for safety defects likely to cause death or serious bodily injury.† Coverage also expanded to include small businesses registering up to 5 vehicles, weighing up to 10,000 pounds each.
ColoradoQualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 business days within shorter of 1 year or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Prior certified mail notice for each defect occurrence + opportunity to repair for manufacturer.
ConnecticutQualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 2 years or 24,000 miles, or 2 unsuccessful repairs of a problem likely to cause death or serious bodily injury within warranty period or 1 year.† Notification/Trigger: Report to manufacturer, agent or dealer. Written notice to manufacturer only if required in owner's manual or warranty.† State-run arbitration mechanism available.† Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
Delaware Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Written notice + opportunity to repair to manufacturer. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
D.C.Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 calendar days out of service or 1 unsuccessful repair of safety-related defect, within shorter of 2 years or 18,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Report of each defect occurrence to manufacturer, agent or dealer. State-run arbitration mechanism available. Note: Enforcement is suspended until October 1, 2000. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
FloridaQualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs or 15 calendar days within 24 months from delivery.† Notification/Trigger: Written notice by certified or express mail to manufacturer who has 10 calendar days for final repair attempt after delivery to designated dealer. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. State-run arbitration mechanism available. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
GeorgiaQualification: 3 unsuccessful repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 24,000 miles or 24 months, with 1 repair or 15 days out of service within shorter or 1 year or 12,000 miles; or one unsuccessful repair of serious safety defect in braking or steering system within shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles.. Notification/Trigger: Certified mail notice return receipt requested. Manufacturer has 7 days to notify consumer of repair facility. Facility has 14 calendar days to repair. State-run arbitration mechanism available.† Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
HawaiiQualification: 3 unsuccessful repair attempts, or 1 unsuccessful repair attempt of defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, or 30 business days out of service within shorter of two years or 24,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Written notice + opportunity to repair to manufacturer. State-run arbitration mechanism available. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
IdahoQualification: 4 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service within shorter of 2 years or 24,000 miles, or 1 repair of a complete failure of the braking or steering system likely to cause death or serious bodily injury. Notification/Trigger: Written notice to manufacturer or dealer and opportunity to repair.† State-run arbitration mechanism available. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
Illinois Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 business days out of service within shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Written notice + opportunity to repair to manufacturer.† Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
Indiana Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 business days out of service within the shorter of 18 months or 18,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Written notice to manufacturer only if manufacturer included this requirement in the warranty. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
Indiana Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 business days out of service within the shorter of 18 months or 18,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Written notice to manufacturer only if manufacturer included this requirement in the warranty. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
Iowa Qualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs, or 1 unsuccessful repair of a nonconformity likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, or 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 2 years or 24,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Written notice by certified registered mail + final opportunity to repair within 10 calendar days of receipt of notice to manufacturer. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
Kansas Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 calendar days out of service or 10 total repairs within shorter of 1 year or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Actual notice to manufacturer. State has certified guidelines for arbitration.
Kentucky Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Written notice to manufacturer. State has certified guidelines for arbitration.
Louisiana Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Report to manufacturer or dealer. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
Maine Qualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs (when at least 2 times same agent attempted repair) or 15 business days out of service within shorter of warranty or 2 years or 18,000 miles. Applies to vehicles within the first 18,000 miles or 2 years regardless of whether the claimant is the original owner.† Notification/Trigger: Written notice to manufacturer or dealer only if required in warranty or owner's manual. Manufacturer has 7 business days after receipt for final repair attempt. State-run arbitration mechanism available. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
Maryland Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs, 30 calendar days out of service or 1 unsuccessful repair of braking or steering system within shorter of 15 months or 15,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Certified mail notice, return receipt requested + opportunity to repair within 30 calendar days of receipt of notice to manufacturer or factory branch. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
Mass Qualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs or 15 business days out of service within shorter of 1 year or 15,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Notice to manufacturer or dealer who has 7 business days to attempt final repair. State-run arbitration mechanism available.
Michigan Qualification: Total of 4 unsuccessful repairs within 2 years from the date of the first unsuccessful repair or 30 calendar days within shorter of 1 year or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Certified mail notice, return receipt requested, to manufacturer who has 5 business days to repair after delivery. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
Minnesota Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 business days or 1 unsuccessful repair of total braking or steering loss likely to cause death or serious bodily injury within shorter of 2 years or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Written notice + opportunity to repair to manufacturer, agent or dealer.† State has certified guidelines for arbitration. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
Mississippi Qualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs or 15 business days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Written notice to manufacturer who has 10 business days to repair after delivery to designated dealer.
Missouri Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 business days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Written notice to manufacturer who has 10 calendar days to repair after delivery to designated dealer.
Montana Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 business days out of service after notice within shorter of 2 years or 18,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Written notice + opportunity to repair to manufacturer. State-run arbitration mechanism available.
Nebraska Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 40 calendar days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Certified mail notice + opportunity to repair to manufacturer.† State has certified guidelines for arbitration.
Nevada Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Written notice to manufacturer.† State has certified guidelines for arbitration.
N. H. Qualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs by same dealer or 30 business days out of service within warranty. Notification/Trigger: Report to manufacturer, distributor, agent or dealer (on forms provided by manufacturer) + final opportunity to repair before arbitration. State-run arbitration mechanism available. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
New Jersey Qualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs or 20 calendar days out of service within shorter of 2 years or 18,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Certified mail notice, return receipt requested to manufacturer who has 10 days to repair. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
N. Mexico Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 business days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Written notice + opportunity to repair to manufacturer, agent or dealer. State has certified guidelines for arbitration.
New York Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 2 years or 18,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Notice to manufacturer, agent or dealer. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
N. Carolina Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs within shorter of 24 months, 24,000 miles or warranty or 20 business days out of service during any 12 month period of warranty. Notification/Trigger: Written notice to manufacturer + opportunity to repair within 15 calendar days of receipt only if required in warranty or owner's manual. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
Ohio Qualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs of same nonconformity, 30 calendar days out of service, 8 total repairs of any nonconformity, or 1 unsuccessful repair of problem likely to cause death or serious bodily injury within shorter of 1 year or 18,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Report to manufacturer, its agent or dealer.† Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
Oklahoma Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 45 calendar days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Written notice + opportunity to repair to manufacturer.† State has certified guidelines for arbitration.
Oregon Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 business days within shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Direct written notice + opportunity to repair to manufacturer.† State has certified guidelines for arbitration. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
Penn. Qualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs or 30 calendar days within shorter of 1 year, 12,000 miles, or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Delivery to authorized service + repair facility. If delivery impossible, written notice to manufacturer or its repair facility obligates them to pay for delivery.† (Manufacturerís informal arbitrations process serves as prerequisite to consumer refund or replacement.
Rhode Island Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 1 year or 15,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Report to dealer or manufacturer who has 7 days for final repair opportunity. (Manufacturerís informal arbitration process serves as prerequisite to consumer refund or replacement.) Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
S. Carolina Qualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs or 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Written notice by certified mail + opportunity to repair (not more than 10 business days) to manufacturer only if manufacturer informed consumer of such at time of sale. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
S. Dakota Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs, 1 of which occurred during the shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles, or 30 calendar days out of service during shorter of 24 months or 24,000 miles.† Notification/Trigger: Certified mail notice to manufacturer and final opportunity to repair + 7 calendar days to notify consumer of repair facility.† (Manufacturerís informal arbitration process serves as prerequisite to consumer refund or replacement.
Tennessee Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Certified mail notice to manufacturer + final opportunity to repair within 10 calendar days. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
Texas Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs when 2 occurred within shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles, + other 2 occur within shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles immediately following second repair attempt; or 2 unsuccessful repairs of a serious safety defect when 1 occurred within shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles + other occurred within shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles immediately following first repair; or 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 2 years or 24,000 miles + at least 2 attempts were made within shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Written notice to manufacturer. State-run arbitration mechanism available. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
Utah Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 business days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Report to manufacturer, agent or dealer. (Manufacturerís informal arbitrations process serves as prerequisite to consumer refund or replacement) Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
Vermont Qualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs when at least first repair was within warranty, or 30 calendar days out of service within warranty. Notification/Trigger: Written notice to manufacturer (on provided forms) after third repair attempt, or 30 days. Arbitration must be held within 45 days after notice, during which time manufacturer has 1 final repair. State-run arbitration mechanism available. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
Virginia Qualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs, or 1 repair attempt of serious safety defect, or 30 calendar days out of service within 18 months. Notification/Trigger: Written notice to manufacturer. If 3 unsuccessful repairs or 30 days already exhausted before notice, manufacturer has 1 more repair attempt not to exceed 15 days. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
Washington Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs, 30 calendar days out of service (15 during warranty period), or 2 repairs of serious safety defects, first reported within shorter of warranty or 24 months or 24,000 miles. One repair attempt + 15 of the 30 days must fall within manufacturer's express warranty of at least 1 year of 12,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Written notice to manufacturer. State-run arbitration mechanism available.† Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.† Note: Consumer should receive replacement or refund within 40 calendar days of request.
W.Virginia Qualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs or 30 calendar days out of service or 1 unsuccessful repair of problem likely to cause death or serious bodily injury within shorter of 1 year or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Written notice + opportunity to repair to manufacturer.† Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.
Wisconsin Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Report to manufacturer or dealer.† Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.† Note: Consumer should receive replacement or refund within 30 calendar days after offer to return title.
Wyoming Qualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs or 30 business days out of service within 1 year. Notification/Trigger: Direct written notice + opportunity to repair to manufacturer. (Manufacturerís informal arbitrations process serves as prerequisite to consumer refund or replacement).
Success in using state lemon laws depends upon three things: keeping good records, providing the right notice and using an arbitration program where required.
Repair Record Keep close track of the number of repair attempts and the time the car is out of service. Submit a written, dated list of problems to the dealer each time the car is in for repairs (keep a copy). List the symptoms your car has; for example, "stalling" instead of "check carburetor." This establishes a record of what problem was addressed even though the dealer may work on different parts in attempting to fix the problem. Insist on getting a copy of the repair order that lists the symptoms described, repairs done, any parts replaced, and the time the car was in the repair shop.