Vermont's lemon law and your rights as a buyer

What the lemon law protects, what it doesn't, and what rights you keep when you buy used. With the state's exact deadlines.

This guide summarizes the recorded scope for Vermont (9 V.S.A. §§ 4170–4181 (chapter 115)). Eligibility, deadlines and notice requirements depend on the law and applicable coverage; read the state conditions below, including used-vehicle conditions where relevant.

What it covers

Passenger vehicles bought, leased or registered in Vermont that are still under the manufacturer's express warranty, with a defect that substantially impairs use, market value or safety. It also covers someone who buys the car used while that warranty is still running.

Rights period: As long as the manufacturer's express warranty lasts (the first repair attempt must fall within the warranty). The claim must be filed up to one year after the warranty expires by time or mileage, whichever comes first (9 V.S.A. § 4179(a)).

When it is presumed a lemon

Three repair attempts for the same defect, the first within the warranty, and the defect still present on the day you file; the three attempts must be with the same dealer or agent unless you show good cause for going elsewhere (9 V.S.A. § 4172(g) and (h)). Or 30 calendar days out of service during the warranty, consecutive or cumulative; the DMV counts a day as out of service when the car was unavailable to you for 4 hours or more while in the shop. For the 30-day claim every repair order must fall inside the warranty.

The presumption does not replace the other requirements. Check the official conditions and procedure for your situation.

The process

You notify the manufacturer in writing and choose: its dispute program or the Vermont Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board (not both). The hearing must be held within 45 days; the maker gets a final repair attempt at least 5 days before. The Board decides within 30 days. It costs the consumer nothing. Do not stop your loan or lease payments.

Who handles it: Vermont Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board (Vermont DMV / Agency of Transportation).

Hotline: 802-828-2943 · LemonLaw@vermont.gov.

What you get if you win

Replacement with a comparable new car from the same maker or a refund of the full purchase price, at the consumer's choice, with trade-in and down-payment credits, finance and credit charges, registration fees and incidental and consequential damages, minus a use offset (full purchase price × miles before the first repair attempt ÷ 100,000). The State refunds the proportional Vermont Purchase and Use Tax if you file the claim with the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles within 90 days of the order's effective date.

What it does not cover

Tractors, motorized highway building equipment, road-making appliances, snowmobiles, motorcycles, motor-driven cycles (scooters and mopeds), the living portion of recreation vehicles, and trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) over 12,000 lb; check the GVWR label on the driver's door edge (9 V.S.A. § 4171(6)). Also out: government-entity vehicles and those of any business or commercial enterprise that registers or leases three or more vehicles. Abuse, neglect and unauthorized modifications are a defence for the maker.

I bought used: what do I have left

More than it seems, even if it isn't the lemon law:

• The Buyers Guide (FTC). The guide states the dealer warranty. "As Is" describes that warranty; it does not by itself resolve other state-law rights or remaining manufacturer coverage. The federal rule applies in 48 states (Maine and Wisconsin have their own equivalent rules). If the sale is conducted in Spanish, the dealer must post a Spanish-language Buyers Guide.
• Remaining manufacturer warranty. Check the warranty contract and its duration and transfer conditions; vehicle age does not guarantee coverage.
• In Vermont: Vermont has no lemon law for used cars outside the manufacturer's warranty. What protects you: mandatory disclosure of salvage, rebuilt and total loss, with a right to get the price back plus taxes and fees (23 V.S.A. § 2093); the Consumer Protection Act (9 V.S.A. § 2453) and the Attorney General's rule CP 118 on car advertising. Complaints go to the Attorney General's Consumer Assistance Program (800-649-2424 within Vermont, or 802-656-3183). An "As Is" sale leaves you with no dealer warranty.