massachusetts lemon law: there are two of them Massachusetts lemon law
everywhere else, “bought it used” is where the conversation ends. Massachusetts has a whole separate law for used cars — one that bans “as-is” sales by dealers outright. 🦞 In most states, buying used is where the conversation ends. Massachusetts has an entirely separate statute for used vehicles — one that prohibits “as-is” sales by licensed dealers.
new car: when does it qualify? 💀 New vehicles: when does a car qualify?
the new-car law runs on a term of protection — 1 year or 15,000 miles, whichever comes first. that mileage figure is the smallest of any state on this site, so the clock here is genuinely tight. The new-vehicle law runs on a term of protection: one year or 15,000 miles, whichever comes first. That mileage figure is the smallest of any state covered here, so the window is genuinely tight.
three goes at the same defect and it’s still there. Three or more repair attempts for the same defect.
the lowest days bar of any state here — half of most. The lowest days threshold of any state covered here — half of most.
after your notice, they get one last attempt — and a deadline. After your notice they get one final attempt, with a deadline attached.
15 business days is a low bar — use it 🚨 Fifteen business days is a low bar, and it is often the faster route
most states want 30 days out of service. Massachusetts wants 15 business days, which is about three working weeks. that means the out-of-service route here trips far sooner than people expect — often before the three-attempt route does. Most states require 30 days out of service. Massachusetts requires 15 business days, roughly three working weeks. The out-of-service route therefore triggers far sooner than people expect — frequently before the three-attempt route does.
so record drop-off and collection dates for every visit, not just what was wrong. people track the faults and forget the calendar, then miss the test that would have qualified them first. 🗓️ So record the drop-off and collection date for every visit, not only what was wrong. People track the faults and forget the calendar, then miss the test that would have qualified them soonest.
bought it used? you still have a law Used cars have their own statute here
in most states, “it’s used” ends the conversation — the lemon law covers new vehicles and that’s that. Massachusetts has a second, separate statute for used cars, and it was the first state-mandated dealer warranty law in the country. In most states “it is used” ends the conversation: the lemon law covers new vehicles and nothing else. Massachusetts has a second, separate statute for used vehicles, and it was the first state-mandated dealer warranty law in the country.
the key move: a licensed dealer cannot sell you a car “as is”. they must give a written warranty, and how long it runs depends on the mileage on the clock when you bought it. The central provision: a licensed dealer cannot sell a vehicle “as is”. The dealer must provide a written warranty, and its length depends on the mileage on the vehicle at the time of sale.
| Miles at sale | Warranty you must be given |
|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 90 days or 3,750 miles, whichever comes first |
| 40,000 – 79,999 | 60 days or 2,500 miles, whichever comes first |
| 80,000 – 124,999 | 30 days or 1,250 miles, whichever comes first |
| 125,000 and over | No coverage under this law |
two details worth knowing: the warranty is paused while the car is sitting in the shop, and after a required repair it’s extended by 30 days for that defect. so a dealer can’t run the clock out by keeping the car. ⏸️ Two details worth knowing: the warranty period is tolled while the vehicle is out of service for repair, and after a required repair it is extended by 30 days as to the defect repaired. A dealer therefore cannot run the clock down by holding the car.
note who this binds: the dealer, not the manufacturer. that’s the opposite of the new-car law, and it’s why the two can’t be mixed together. used & leased cars guide → Note who this binds: the dealer, not the manufacturer. That is the reverse of the new-vehicle law, which is why the two sets of numbers must not be mixed. See the used and leased cars guide.
how a Massachusetts claim actually runs 🏛️ How a Massachusetts claim runs
-
paper every visit — and every dateDocument every visit, and every date
with 15 business days as a trigger, the calendar matters as much as the fault. With 15 business days as a trigger, the calendar matters as much as the fault does. -
write to the manufacturerGive written notice to the manufacturer
demanding the final repair attempt. keep proof of what you sent and when. Demanding the final repair attempt, and keep proof of what was sent and when. -
their final attempt — 7 business daysTheir final attempt — seven business days
that’s the cap. it doesn’t run indefinitely. That is the cap; it does not run indefinitely. -
state-certified arbitrationState-certified arbitration
through the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, if they still won’t refund or replace. Through the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, if the manufacturer still will not refund or replace.
| the statutesStatutes | New vehicles — M.G.L. c. 90 § 7N½. Used vehicles — M.G.L. c. 90 § 7N¼. |
|---|---|
| new car windowTerm of protection | 1 year or 15,000 miles, whichever comes first — the tightest mileage window on this site. One year or 15,000 miles, whichever comes first — the tightest mileage window covered here. |
| who’s on the hookWho is liable | new car → the manufacturer. used car → the dealer. different laws, different defendant. For a new vehicle, the manufacturer. For a used vehicle, the dealer. Different statutes, different defendant. |
| your optionsRemedies | a refund or a replacement, less a reasonable allowance for the use you had. A refund or a replacement, less a reasonable allowance for use. |
| what you get backIs there a formula? | Massachusetts publishes no divisor like California’s 120,000, so there’s no calculator here and ours does not apply. how buybacks work → Massachusetts publishes no divisor comparable to California’s 120,000, so there is no calculator on this page and the California one does not apply. See how buybacks work. |
massachusetts questions 🧠Massachusetts lemon law FAQ
how many repairs before it’s a lemon in Massachusetts?How many repair attempts before a car is a lemon in Massachusetts?
three at the same defect, or 15 business days out of service — all inside 1 year or 15,000 miles. then written notice and a final attempt capped at 7 business days. Three attempts at the same defect, or 15 business days out of service, within one year or 15,000 miles. Written notice follows, then a final repair attempt capped at seven business days.
does the lemon law cover used cars here?Does Massachusetts cover used cars?
yes — under a separate law. licensed dealers must give a written warranty scaled to the mileage at sale: 90 days/3,750 miles under 40,000 miles, down to 30 days/1,250 miles at 80,000–124,999. over 125,000 miles there’s no coverage. Yes, under a separate statute. Licensed dealers must provide a written warranty scaled to the mileage at sale: 90 days or 3,750 miles under 40,000 miles, down to 30 days or 1,250 miles between 80,000 and 124,999. Above 125,000 miles there is no coverage under that law.
can a dealer sell me a car “as is”?Can a Massachusetts dealer sell a car “as is”?
a licensed dealer can’t, for vehicles the used vehicle warranty law covers. the written warranty is mandatory, and it’s paused while the car is in the shop. Not for vehicles covered by the Used Vehicle Warranty Law. The written warranty is mandatory, and the period is tolled while the vehicle is out of service for repair.
who decides the case?Where does a Massachusetts claim go?
state-certified arbitration, through the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, once the manufacturer has had its final attempt and still hasn’t refunded or replaced. To state-certified arbitration through the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, once the manufacturer has had its final attempt and has still not refunded or replaced the vehicle.
other states: Other states: California · Texas · Florida · Illinois · Ohio · Michigan · Georgia
keep reading: Related: used & leased carsUsed and leased cars · is my car cooked?Lemon checker · the process & timelineThe process and timeline
massachusetts case? check the dates 🦞 Think you may have a Massachusetts claim?
free vibe-check, 2 minutes. and if you bought used — don’t assume you’re out. this is one of the very few states where that’s a real claim. Get a free case review in about two minutes. And if you bought used, do not assume you have nothing — this is one of very few states where that is a real claim.
Sources
- M.G.L. c. 90 § 7N½ — the new vehicle lemon law: term of protection, repair attempts and the final attempt
- M.G.L. c. 90 § 7N¼ — the Used Vehicle Warranty Law: the mandatory dealer warranty and its mileage tiers
- Mass.gov — guide to the new and leased car lemon law — official state guidance on notice and arbitration
- 201 CMR 11.23 — notices to consumers (new vehicles) — the regulations behind the new-car law
- 201 CMR 11.22 — notices to consumers (used vehicles) — the regulations behind the used-vehicle warranty
- BBB National Programs — Massachusetts lemon law summary (PDF) — independent summary of the thresholds and deadlines
Advertising disclosure. Lemon Law Explained is an independent information website. We are not a law firm and we do not provide legal services. We may be compensated when you request a case review or are connected with a participating attorney; that compensation never affects what this page says about the law.
This page describes Massachusetts law in general terms and is not legal advice. It does not create an attorney–client relationship and predicts no outcome. The new-vehicle and used-vehicle statutes are separate, bind different parties and have different thresholds; which applies to you depends on facts specific to your purchase. Confirm your own position with a licensed attorney in your state. Last reviewed August 2026.